Dick Whittington - ALBERT HALLS, Bolton - Join Paul Crone, Bernard Wrigley and Lofty the Lion in the town's annual pantomime.

Runs until Sunday, January 5 2003, various performance times, £4.95 to £9.50

LIBRARY THEATRE, Manchester

Tom's Midnight Garden

A magical story about a 12 year old boy who is furious when he is sent away to stay with his boring aunt and uncle until he discovers a wonderful and magical secret and a whole new world with a special friend called Hatty leading to a summer full of adventures.

Runs until Saturday, January 25, various performance times, £12 to £15 for adults and £7 to £7.50

OCTAGON THEATRE, Bolton

The Firebird

A magical and enthralling adventure packed with puppetry, music, song and dance about Tsar Salton who orders the capture of the beautiful Firebird after it has stolen fruit from his golden apple tree.

Runs until Saturday, January 18, Fri 7.15pm, Sat 2.15pm & 7.15pm, Mon 2.15pm, Tue & Wed 10.15am and 2.15pm, Thu 2.15pm,

OPERA HOUSE, Manchester

Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs

Lily Savage stars in this classic pantomime story suitable for all the family.

Runs until Sunday, Jnauary 12, various performance times, £10.50 to £25

PALACE THEATRE, Manchester

Beauty and the Beast

One of the most popular and enchantingly romantic stories ever told is brought to life in Disney's award-winning musical.

Runs until February 8, 2003, 7.30pm, Wed & Sat Mat 2.30pm, £13 to £33.50

THE MET, Bury

Peter Pan

Join Peter Pan, the little boy who won't grow up and the Darling children as they leave their nursery and fly high above the rooftops to Neverland.

Runs until Sunday, January 12, 10am and 2pm, £7 to £8 for adults and £5 to £6 conc.

COMEDY

THE COMEDY STORE, Deansgate Locks, Whitworth Street, Manchester

The Best in Stand Up

Christmas chuckles with Ian Stone, Adam Bloom, Phil Nichol, Paul Thorne and Andy Zaltzman

Tonight (Friday), 8pm, £13 and £6 conc.

The Best in Stand Up

Ian Stone, Adam Bloom, Phil Nichol, Paul Thorne, Andy Zaltzman

Saturday, 8pm, £14 and £6

THE FROG & BUCKET, Oldham Street, Manchester

Red Hot Raw + Curry and Quips

Stu Who performs, joined by six hopefuls, with balti supper available.

Thursday, £5, with balti £7, NUS £2, with balti £4

Barrel Of Laughs

A minimum of three top comedians and compere.

Friday, £10 and £6 NUS, Saturday, £12 and £6 NUS