THE classic fairy tale Beauty & the Beast is brought thrillingly to life in a stage adaptation by playwright Laurence Boswell. When Beauty's father hears that his long-lost ship packed with pearls has landed safely in harbour, he sets out on an arduous journey to claim his fortune, stumbling across a world of great riches, beguiling magic and a fearsome beast. But when he picks a rose as a present for his lovely daughter, little does he realise what he's unleashed. This enchanting Christmas Show is playing at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, until January 12.

Box office 017687-74411.

Tickets from £10.

Photo: Robert Day

THE North-West’s favourite comedy folk group the Houghton Weavers are taking their own brand of musical Christmas fun to Ulverston’s Coronation Hall on Saturday, December 29 (7.30pm).

The four likely lads – Tony, his brother Jim, Steve Millington and David Littler – are as busy and creative today as they ever were. This special Christmas show will feature their own brand of humour and songs to get all ages in the festive mood and songs will include Bless Your Whiskers, Father Christmas and Mary’s Boy Child.

Box office 01229-578140.

Tickets £12-£15.

SOME wicked thigh-slapping is included at Barrow’s The Forum’s pantomime this Christmas when everyone’s favourite Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs plays until January 5. The show stays true-ish to the original story and sees the Wicked Queen, who is overcome with jealousy when her magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in all the land plots to take her revenge on the young girl. Some really impressive special effects have been arranged for this production, and the cast, which includes Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Aleksandar Mileusnic (the voice) is cast as the Prince; Jessica Fay Long as Snow White; Steve Boyce Dame Dolly; Rich Roberts as Muddles; and Nik Grundison as the Wicked Queen. Fab-u-lous!

Box office 01229-820000.

Tickets £10.50-£16.

STUFF and Nonsense Theatre Company is enjoying telling their re-potted version of the famous children’s story The Enormous Turnip at The Brewery, Kendal, which features charming puppetry, live music and massive vegetables!

Living in their tiny shed squeezed in among the garden tools, Mr & Mrs Chickweed can’t resist planting one last vegetable seed before they retire, trying for one more champion veg and one more trophy!

But no one knew that a vegetable could grow bigger than a dog, bigger than a house. This enchanting play runs until Saturday (times vary).

Box office 01539-725133.

Tickets £10.50; (U16) £8.50

Photo: Mark Morreau

THE magical classic fairy tale, Cinderella, arrives at Rheged Visitor Centre, Penrith, courtesy of Gary Starr Pantomimes this Christmas. Staying true to the original story, badly treated Cinders dreams of meeting her true love, but her scheming ugly sisters Kim and Aggie have different plans for their step sister. When a chance meeting with the Prince gives Cinders the perfect opportunity to be invited to the Royal Ball, both Kim and Aggie find out and destroys her ticket and ruins her dress. It seems all is lost until her fairy godmother appears to save the day. Will she make it to the ball in time? Will she get to be with the handsome Prince Charming? This enchanting panto takes place tomorrow (Friday, 11.30am & 2.30pm) and Saturday (December 29, 11.30am).

Box Office 01768-868000.

Tickets: Adults £10; children £8; family £32 (2 adults, 2 children).

(3+ years).

WE’RE Off To See The Wizard …… Yes folks, this year, playing at The Sands Centre, Carlisle, is the brilliant The Wizard of Oz. Follow Dorothy, her dog Toto, Tin Man, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and all the other fantastic characters down the now famous yellow brick road to the Emerald City to find the Great Wizard of Oz who will help Dorothy return to the farm where she lives with her aunt and uncle, in Kansas. Can the Munchkins and Glinda help Dorothy on her plight, can they get Tin Man a heart, Scarecrow a brain and Cowardly Lion to gain courage? Will they ultimately be able to help protect the friends from The Wicked Witch of the West? The show stars Britain’s Got Talent Ashleigh Butler and her gifted dog Sully cast as Dorothy and Toto.  Playing until Monday (December 31).