Now, almost halfway through the year, production companies and venues are in the midst of finalising casting, with most pantomimes having already revealed their headliners to ensure ticket sales remain buoyant.
All but five of Qdos Entertainment's 32 productions have shared their stars of the season, with 2018 a landmark year for showcasing talent.
Since 2016, all eyes have been on the Palladium as the pinnacle of Pantoland and this year is no exception. For the first time in the venue's history, Snow White will be presented complete with another first—Dawn French's panto debut as the Wicked Queen.
Over the past few years, Qdos has wooed the UK's top radio and television comedy talent to tread the Pantoland boards, enhanced somewhat by the folding of First Family Entertainment, who sought to attract respected names from the world of theatre and Hollywood stars from across the pond.
In an ever-competitive market, venues must seek new and diverse audiences. In addition to cashing in from many families' only visit to the theatre, companies and venues also seek to attract regular patrons who are prepared to fork out for premier seats and would otherwise steer clear of such festive fun.
Television A-listers in particular have been reluctant to join the festivities, possibly due to the required time commitment, inferior wage, harsh schedule and being away from family at Christmas. In the case of debut-making-Dames, perhaps it's due to the many costume changes required of a show, not forgetting all the make-up. I recall a conversation with a producer about five years ago in which they remarked the future looked bleak as no-one would spot a celeb covered in slap on a poster.
All of this is, however, slowly changing, particularly with the announcement that Paul Merton will take a turn as Twankey in Wimbledon this year. Having appeared in ITV's pantomimes between 1998-2002, Merton is best known to the nation via Radio 4's Just a Minute, for which panto star Julian Clary is often a panellist, and BBC Two's Have I Got News For You?.
Pantomime histories often highlight the 'McKellen Moment' of 2004 as an important marker in the genre's evolution. Suddenly, cross-dressed as Widow Twankey at the Old Vic, Sir Ian was waxing lyrical about the artform and became a quasi-ambassador for the genre. His casting led to other 'non-panto' names considering the genre as a potential gig, but, although McKellen reprised his role, many of his successors only ever committed to one season.
Dawn French, of course, is comedy royalty and one of the country's best-known and most respected talents. For her to be appearing in pantomime may just be another McKellen moment and encourage other performers, particularly female comedians, to follow. Could Miranda Hart be next? Having already worked with Qdos's Managing Director Michael Harrison on Annie, such a thought could become a reality.
But, in addition to the new 'elite', other comedy performers are being enticed to the scene too. For example, Benidorm's Tony Maudsley played Dame in 2016, so is it only a matter of time before Michael McIntyre, Omid Djalili and Peter Kay do so too?
After all, let's not forget that this year's Great British Pantomime Awards saw Al Murray win Best Newcomer for his performance as Idle Al in Wimbledon's Jack and the Beanstalk. Or that Jenny Eclair, Marcus Brigstocke, Jo Brand, Tim Vine, Ruby Wax and even Dame Edna Everage appeared for First Family Entertainment, with Su Giedroyc starring in both the Barbican and Lyric Hammersmith's pantos. 2016 saw Qdos launch the panto career of Count Arthur Strong and two years later, ex-Qdos producer Jon Conway introduces Milton Jones to the genre as Smee in arena panto Peter Pan.
Have we returned to pantomime's glory days, with comedy at the forefront in both show and advertising? Are the days of pantomime bills plastered with headliners in the form of popstars, soapstars and talent show winners playing Principal Boy or Girl behind us for good?
With the likes of Richmond Theatre still to announce their stars, all eyes are peeled to see who might join the latest line of pantomime debuts...