Happy New Year. We're still in panto-mode folks, so if you haven't as yet been to the theatre to see any of the great theatrical offerings then now is the time to do it. Enjoy!

THE Dukes and Ragged Edge presents a deliciously entertaining night out for all the family in The Chef Show. A foodie show that is on tour in and around Cumbria. The scene is set as Father and son double-act Abdul and Kamal, are serving the hungry patrons in their Indian restaurant and takes us behind the scenes of their busy curry house on a typical Saturday night. This part-play, part-cookery demonstration offers us the opportunity to share the ingredients of the hidden world of the Indian restaurant - with special guest chefs invited to offer up their take on spicy ingredients, served up with a chance to try the dishes, too.

Pictured: Kamal Kaan and Rohit Gokani. Photo Dave Charnley.

Tickets £12 (Concessions £10).

THE English Lakes Touring Co. along with theCompany presents The Sunshine Boys. The story tells of two old guys - famous vaudeville duo Lewis and Clark who worked together for 43 years but couldn't stand each other. They haven't been in touch since Lewis walked out on their final show 11 years ago. The attempt to get the obstinate duo back together one last time for a TV special makes for one of the great comedies by the American writer, Neil Simon. The play is on stage at The Box (next to Kendal Museum) from tonight (Thursday) to Saturday (7.30pm). Box office 01539-721451.

Tickets £12 & £5 (under 16).

DUBBED the most fantasamagorical musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang flies in to Salford with its mix of madness, intrigue and good cheer. Starring Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts, Claire Sweeney as Baroness Bomburst and Phill Jupitus as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst. Can the loveable but whacky inventor, Potts, along with his two children and the gorgeous Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron Bomburst and his evil Childcatcher. Playing until January 15 at The Lowry. Evening performances at 7.30pm. Box office 0843-208-6000.

CINDERELLA, a traditional and enchanting pantomime with a modern twist by James Barry, brought to us by Storth Entertainers and its youth arm Kids on the Bay. All our favourite characters from Cinders and her adoring sidekick Buttons, her evil stepmother, those three Ugly Sisters, a handsome Prince and not forgetting the magical Fairy Godmother that makes her wish come true. Cinderella takes place from Wednesday to Saturday (January 11-14) at 7pm, Saturday matinee at 2pm, at Storth Village Hall. Box office 015395-61565.

Tickets: Adults £8; children (under 16) £6.

Burneside Amateur Theatrical Society (BATS) push out all the stops to bring a fantastic New Year’s panto to The Bryce. This time the exotic and sultry tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves sees us in sunny Baghdad with principal boy Ali Baba. Down on his luck for some time and in love with a slave girl Safiya, Ali despairs of his ‘lot.’ Soon, things improve for Ali when he stumbles across a cave of treasures, but unbeknown to him, Sheikh Mustafa Leikh and his band of incompetent, greedy thieves, scheme to scupper Ali’s plans. This fun, madcap show includes a delightful dancing camel, Kamil, and beloved Dame Mum Baba. The show runs from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday and from January 11-14, at The Bryce, Burneside, Kendal. Evening performances 7.30pm. Matinees on January 7, 8 & 14 at 2pm. Box office 07792-777213.

Tickets: Adults £9; children £7.

FOR those of us who love ballet, the Russian State Ballet of Siberia bring us three glorious ballets: The Nutcracker on Monday (January 16, 7.30pm), Coppelia on Tuesday (January 17, 7.30pm) and Swan Lake on Wednesday (January 18, 2.30pm & 7.30pm), at The Grand, Blackpool.

www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/

Tickets £19 - £43.