Oh yes she is!

For some children, their first trip to the pantomime is a baptism of fire as they curl up into one of their parent's arms, terrified by the ensuing carry-on from the stage. For others, it is the beginning of a long family tradition that becomes etched into their memories forever: the larger-than-life characters, the "Oh no he isn't" chants, the magical props and oh, yes, the popcorn and the sweets.

June Rodgers, star of the Gaiety pantomime for four years running, told me she was recently accosted on the street by a woman, saying that her daughter was still chanting last year's ditty, "Nae, Nae, Nea, Nae Nea, up your nose" months later. "The sweet sales were down last year and fewer children went to the loo so that's a good sign," says Rodgers. Sometimes, the buckets of popcorn and the gang of friends trotting off to the toilet in this ginormous theatre are moments as magical for children as the clever topical lines from the stars. Pantomimes in Dublin this Christmas include Jack and the Beanstalk in the Gaiety with June Rodgers, the nine-foot-tall Macnas giant and the ever-extending, eco-friendly beanstalk; Puss In Boots - The Cat's Tale with Dustin the inimitable turkey, and the current Grand Dame of pantomime, Twink, at the Olympia. Sleeping Beauty at St Anthony's Theatre, Merchants Quay has English panto star Richard Gibson.

The Macnas giant is undoubtedly the new attraction at the Gaiety and, take it from me, he's quite a ferocious creature built out of PVC piping, timber and innumerable bicycle parts. Rodgers - who plays Jack's sister, Millie-ennium - says she does not feel dwarfed beside him . "It's nice to work beside such a big boy. I look about a size 10 beside him, it's great, " she quips.

Meanwhile over in the Olympia rehearsals, Dustin comments on his co-star. "It's a pleasure to work with Twink, she's punctual, she's witty, she's considerate of the other performers, she's a thorough professional . . . oh no she isn't!" More seriously though, he adds: "I really enjoyed working with Twink until I realised she's Ireland's No 1 drag act."

Outside the capital, Aladdin is showing in the Cork Opera House and as Leaidin in Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe. Peter Pan was the first pantomime to open in the country this year, in the Waterfront Theatre, Belfast, and Beauty and the Beast goes up at the Belltable, Limerick. (See listings for times, dates and ticket prices.)