BURNESIDE Amateur Theatrical Society's panto offering is Beauty and the Beast. Following the lines of the original story (with a little theatrical licence thrown in!) we see Rose (aka Beauty) falling for the Beast, with the added complications of a dame (Rose's mum) and Felix, a giant French poodle, who acts as a narrator - you'll love his French accent! But, no panto is complete without a baddie and in this case Malabelle, the wicked witch who is spell-bent on winning the handsome Prince. This sparkling panto will not disappoint, with its singalong songs and laugh-out-loud moments. Taking place from tomorrow (Friday) to Sunday and from January 10-13, at the Bryce.

Box office 07792-777213 or online at www.batsburneside.co.uk.

Tickets: Adults £10; U16s £7.50; concessions £8.

THE Manchester Opera House will journey to London this festive season in this delightful pantomime adventure Dick Whittington. John Barrowman stars in the title role, and joining him is the legendary double act The Krankies playing Councillor and Jimmy. There's some awesome special effects such as the 3D submarine journey which will astound and alarm you in equal mesures. So, join our leather-booted hero Dick and his trusty feline friend on an adventure that sends him from London town to the High Seas and Morocco, guided by magical Fairy Bow Bells. This action-packed show full of laughter, music and dance is on stage until Sunday (January 7), times vary.

Box office 0844-871-3018

Tickets £12 - £50.

LOCAL artist Joe Connolly's first solo exhibition in 15 years takes place at Lancaster's Dukes Gallery until January 27. The exhibition entitled Temporary States includes oil paintings which reflect the temporary nature of landscape, human and architectural forms. Joe is based in Lancaster and his recent works comprise commissions from a New York architects firm, a London art consultancy and a Californian-based design and fabrication studio. He has also sold work to collectors in New York, Zurich, Paris, Oslo, London and Berlin. Temporary States can be viewed during the theatre’s normal opening hours.

For further information call 01524-598500.

THEATRE By the Lake production The Secret Garden, tells the lonely tale of spoilt Mary Lennox. It's 1910 and Mary lives a life of luxury in India with her parents, but when an unexpected twist of fate leaves her orphaned, she is sent to live with an unknown uncle in Misselthwaite Manor on the wild Yorkshire Moors. The manor is a mysterious place full of dark corners and creepy noises, and Mary is sure there are secrets to unearth. She sets about, with the help of some unexpected friends, to discover the legend of its secret garden ... On stage at the Keswick theatre until January 13 (performances and times vary).

Box office 017687-74411 or www.theatrebythelake.com.

Prices £34 - £10.

BALLROOM and Latin Social Dance evenings resume tomorrow (Friday, 7.30pm) at the Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands. These popular dances are ideal for making new friends and indulging in a fabulous hobby – made even more popular by Strictly Come Dancing. So folks, what are you waiting for – Keep on Dancing!!

For more information contact Colin Western at cjmrw@sky.com.

KENDAL Midday Concert Club presents the Royal Northern Sinfonia Ensemble who will perform one of Messiaen’s most important works, Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time). It was composed while he was a prisoner-of-war in the German camp Stalag VIIIA, in Saxony during World War Two. He was imprisoned with three French musicians: a violinist, cellist and clarinettist.  Messiaen began to write a chamber music piece for them, and soon he added a piano part. It is a monumental work in eight movements and it more than helped to sustain him through the terrible time in his life. The ensemble will perform on Wednesday (January 10, 1pm). Snack lunch available at 11.50am, at Kendal Town Hall.