KINGSTON, Jamaica — For over seven decades, come six o’clock on Boxing Day, the curtains rise for the opening night of the National Pantomime.

This year is no different.

The Barbara Gloudon-penned, ‘The Golden Macca Fat’, takes to the stage at the Little Theatre in St Andrew continuing that tradition which has been carried from the days when the Pantomime played at the historic Ward Theatre in downtown Kingston. The majestic Ward now stands in disrepair.

Over the years, a number of local theatre producers have been picking up on the popularity of a holiday opening for their productions.

This year  five plays including the ‘Panto’ will open on Boxing Day, while two are set for Christmas Day openings and yet another on December 27.

According to Scarlett Beharie of the Jamaica Association of Dramatic Artists, this date has long held pride of place with the theatre-going public, and has come to be unofficially known as the kick-off of the local theatre year.

She adds that many people use the holiday season to check out what’s new on local stages.

This year’s Boxing Day offering includes’ Embassy Saga’ with the king of Jamaican comedy Oliver Samuel’s.

And following an impressive run with ‘Ladies of The Night’, award-winning producers Jambiz International also open their newest production ‘Where there is a Will There is a Wife’. This will run at the Centrestage Theatre in New Kingston and stars Glen ‘Titus’ Campbell, Sakina Deer, Sharee McDonald Russell, Camille Davis and Courtney Wilson.

The Green Gables Theatre will light up with the musical revue ‘Jamaica Sweet’, written, directed and composed by David Tulloch. This production stars Deon Silvera, Terri Salmon, Rosie Murray and Michael ‘Stringbeans’ Nicholson.

DMH Productions is the force behind the other Boxing Day opener, ‘To the Finish’. Directed by Dahlia Harris and Suzanne Beadle, this dramatic piece stars Carl Samuels, Jerry Benzwick, Nadean Rawlins and Chris McFarlane.

David Tulloch’s second play for the season, ‘Clash’, which stars Keith ‘Shebada’ Ramsay and Garfield ‘Badboy Trevor’ Reid opens at the Green Gables Theatre on Christmas Day.

On December 27, veteran theatre producer and playwright Basil Dawkins opens his production, ‘My God Don’t Wear Pyjamas’, at the Little Little Theatre.