THE time has come to join a large weepy Walrus and his Carpenter friend on a journey to find the perfect picnic spot.

These comical characters, along with a capricious Maid with Mop, make entertaining company for all ages. The musical show is based around Lewis Carroll's famous poem from Alice Through The Looking Glass and is set to live accompaniment on the accordion. There are also cameo appearances of the twins (updated) Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Audiences are delighted by this show (and that's just the children); expect hilarity, songs and slapstick. On stage at The Platform, Morecambe, on Wednesday (August 14, 2.30pm). 

Box office 01524-582803 

Tickets: Full £7; family of four £6.25; family of eight £6.25. 

SHOWGOERS by the thousands will be making their way to the historic grounds of Lowther Castle, near Penrith, for a spectacular showcase of countryside living. The Countryman Lowther Show returns on Saturday and & Sunday (August 11, 9am-5pm) with visitors, many with their four-legged friends in tow, intent on witnessing the bustling horse driving trials, gripping hound show and the ever-popular clay-pigeon shoot. 

The popular show also offers a chance for a vast array of traders to show off their produce. There will be dozens of marquees and craft stalls offering everything imaginable associated with country living. With other attractions such as a fishing island, gundog events, and music and entertainments, there will be something for everyone over the action-packed weekend. 

www.lowthershow.co.uk 

Tickets: Adults (17+yrs) £16; children (6-16yrs) £6; family (one day ticket, 2 x adults, 3 x children) £40. 

CATHERINE MacDiarmid is an award-winning artist whose portraits reach beneath the obvious, capturing the real essence of a person. 

Her work ranges from small to large scale oil, and watercolour paintings, charcoal drawings and small pencil sketches. 

She has been three times shortlisted for Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year and was a semi-finalist this year. Her latest exhibition of paintings and drawings entitled Personal opens on on Saturday (August 10) at The Brewery's Sugar Store Gallery until September 28.  

catherinemacdiarmid.co.uk. 

ACT One Summer School, brought to you by a highly experienced team of professionals, will run from Monday (August 12 to Friday (August 16) from 10am-4pm, at The Grand, Lancaster. A final performance will take place on the Friday (7pm) showcasing everything that you have learnt. The programme includes theatre arts training, dance, drama, musical theatre and stage craft, culminating in a one-night performance of a smash hit musical. This will be an exciting and entertaining week, whether you are experienced or not. To enrol call 01524-64695. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. Age 6yrs-17yrs. 

Price: First child £125; second child £110 

MUNCASTER Castle’s popular Picnic Cinema’s makes a welcome return, tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday (August 10). Two classic films on the big screen on the castle’s front lawn are Bohemian Rhapsody (Cert 12A) and Beetlejuice (Cert 15). The evening’s entertainment starts from around 7pm and the films are screened at 9.30pm. The event will go ahead regardless of the weather, so if it rains, you’ll get wet! You also need to take your own seating and a picnic. Though food and drink will be available. 

Camping pitches are available in the castle’s gardens. Muncaster Castle is situated at Ravenglass. 

www.muncaster.co.uk 

Tickets for film only £15. 

AN EVENING with poet laureate Simon Armitage at Wordsworth Trust. Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire is an award-winning poet, playwright and novelist. In 2010 he was awarded the CBE for services to poetry and this year he was appointed Poet Laureate. 

He will be reading from a selection of his most loved work, and his streetwise humour, inventive use of conversational speech and eye for the ordinary detail will make this evening unforgettable. 

The event takes place in The Daffodil Hotel’s Waterside Room on Tuesday (August 13, 7.30pm). 

Booking required. 

www.wordsworth.org.uk/events.an-evening-with-simon-armitage. 

Tickets £11.