Red Riding Hood is off to see her grandmother, but she doesn't know the wolf is following her every step of the way! Will she spot him lurking behind the flaps on every page?

"Screamingly funny, utterly filthy and unexpectedly moving" – Mark Gatiss "Jon and Martin's pantomimes have huge heart. I haven't missed one for years" – Matthew Todd Above The Stag Theatre's adult pantomimes are a London institution, selling out every year. Celebrating a decade of laughter, He's Behind You! makes these acclaimed theatre scripts available for the first time, placing queer characters front and centre in popular fairytales, myths and legends. Reimagined versions of Cinderella, Pinocchio, Beauty and the Beast, Treasure Island, Jack and the Beanstalk and more combine wit, wonder and social satire with the best traditions of the great British panto.

Will the magic of the pantomime rub off on its performers? Declan has been acting, singing and dancing since he could walk, but nothing comes close to the thrill of working in a pantomime with the beauty and wonder of Christmas around him. When Declan trades kisses with a younger actor, he panics and pulls away. Micah loves the theatre. Everything about it sings through his blood. Falling for his co-star was not in his plan, but maybe he can find love this Christmas. When they begin their performances, Declan’s behaviour throws that idea into the wind until Micah becomes ill, and Declan is the one to nurse him back to health. What stops Declan from giving Micah his heart and building something magical? An MM romance about sexual awakening, an age gap and the joy of Christmas.

Lightning provides: 32 books with 3 levels of differentiation per book; whole texts that provide NLS genre coverage; linked themes across fiction, non-fiction and the wider curriculum; focussed teaching support for each book including comprehension and writing activities; and a teaching and practice CD that provides opportunities for ICT.

Last Christmas, Francis had a promising acting career and a budding romance with Duncan. This Christmas, it seems he's lost it all. When his mum persuades him to help her with the annual village production, he's drawn back into the wacky world of amateur pantomime. This year's production has all kind of new twists, the village players are eccentric although enthusiastic, and Francis isn't sure he ever saw himself as a director. And what his mother also didn't tell him was, he'd be working with Duncan by his side. But if he can cope with charity shop costumes, squabbling characters, cross-dressing, and all the corny jokes, can he also believe in the show's magical triumph of Good over Bad, and win a second chance with Duncan? After all, in pantomime, everyone gets their wish granted in the end.

Andrew was a son of a powerful sub-king. His father wanted twelve sons, each to be named after one of the twelve holy men he had learned about from an itinerant preacher. When tragedy struck and the kings wife died giving birth to a sixth brother, all talk of faith died with her. The kings eyes turned solely to the defense of his lands. The teachings which were tied to a God whom he thought had failed him, were not to be part of the picture. These were rough times. Vikings were raiding the shore areas taking what they wanted and leaving destruction. There was strife closer to home as well, as stronger families tried to grasp more land from weaker families. Andrew knew the direction that his life would be taking. When he became old enough, he would start weapons training. He would learn the ways of the warrior, and he would join his fathers war band and defend his land from the invading Vikings. Life, however, does not always meet expectations. Another traveling preacher visits the land and talks to Andrew about a different path to follow a path that does not parallel the ways of a warrior. Which path will Andrew follow?

"Anecdotal and evincing a strong point of view, [this] book covers not only the shows and their authors but the personalities as well--W.S. Gilbert trying out his stagings on a toy theatre, Ivor Novello going to jail for abusing wartime gas rationing during World War II, fabled producer C.B. Cochran coming to a most shocking demise for a man whose very name meant 'classy, carefree entertainment.' ... Mordden is the preeminent historian of the form, and his book will be required reading for readers of all walks, from the most casual of musical theater goers to musical theater buffs to students and scholars of the form"--