THE sassy and sizzling musical, Cabaret, starring vocalist Will Young as the enigmatic Emcee and ex-Eternal singer Louise Redknapp cast as Sally Bowles, takes to the stage at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, from Tuesday to Saturday (October 3-7). The musical includes show-stopping songs, such as Maybe This Time, Money Makes The World Go Round and, of course, Cabaret. The show is set in 1931 in the legendary Kit Kat Club where notorious Emcee performs nightly. Evening performances 7.30pm. Box office 0844-856-1111.

Tickets from £25

PUPPET State Theatre presents JRR Tolkien's Leaf by Niggle. This enchanting one-man show starring Richard Medrington brings the play to life using intimate storytelling, object animation and a wonderful soundtrack by Karine Polwart and Michael John McCarthy. Niggle is a painter and not a very successful one at that - there's one particular canvas of a tree that keeps getting bigger and bigger ... The play takes place at Kirkby Stephen Sports & Social Club tonight (Thursday, 7.30pm). BO 017683-71885.

Tickets £10 (U18s) £7

THE critically acclaimed Mad About The Musicals visits Barrow's The Forum, for one night only, on Saturday (September 30). A host of favourite numbers from Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more, the show will evoke the true spirit of the stage, with brilliant vocals, colourful costumes and great cast, including Britain's Got Talent winner Jai McDowall and Michael Courtney as well as seasoned musical theatre singers Rosanne Priest and Kerry Whiteside, all supported by the amazing Mad About The Musicals West End Band. Box office 01229-820000.

Tickets £22; concessions £20

SET against the backdrop of the Gordon Riots of 1780, Barnaby Rudge is a story of mystery and suspense which begins with an unsolved double murder. It goes on to involve conspiracy, blackmail, abduction and retribution, and features Grip, a talking pet raven. With its high drama, strange secrets and ghostly goings-on, the play is a powerful blend of historical realism and monstrous melodrama. Playing on Wednesday (October 4, 8pm), at The Brewery, Kendal.

Box office 10539-725133.

Tickets £12; under 16s £11

INTO the jaws of Great Langdale – 16 mile bike ride. With the Lake District having just gained UNESCO World Heritage Site status, a member of the Lake District National Park Authority team will be on hand on this ride to explain more about the World Heritage Site and why the area deserves this status. Starting from Vicarage Road entrance to Rothay Park, Ambleside (LA22 9DH) on Sunday (October 1) at 11am, leave behind the hustle and bustle of the town via cycle tracks and quiet roads, and head for the deep glaciated valley of Great Langdale. On the way you will take in the rapids at Skelwith Force, glide along the banks of the River Brathay and Elterwater Meadows, all the time being watched over by the huge Langdale Pikes. There are some steep ascents and descents on this route on improved bridleways as you enter Great Langdale. Sign up to ride at www.letsride.co.uk/ for details.

THE Red Deer Rut, one of nature’s greatest natural spectacles and this year takes place from Thursday-Monday (October 5-9). The event begins with an RSPB escorted private cruise on an Ullswater Steamer, from Glenridding Pier to Howtown and then transfer by a short walk to the Deer Reserve in the remote Martindale Valley. Here, from around the end of September to the middle of November, the stags lock antlers, roar and bellow as they fight for a mate. The cruise departs at 10.30am and returns at 3.30pm. Take packed lunch. Booking is essential - www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk/events

Ticket: Non-RSPB members £16; members £14.