1BEAUTY and the Beast is the festive fable bound for Keswick. The timeless tale of the true nature of beauty and the transformational power of love is brought to glorious life at Theatre by the Lake in Laurence Boswell’s thrilling and inventive adaptation filled with music, dance and song. Running until Saturday, January 12, it promises a true feast for the imagination this Christmas, when Beauty’s father hears that his long-lost ship packed with pearls has landed safely in harbour, his family’s dreams come true. Box office 017687-74411.

2 THE Wizard of OZ runs at Carlisle's Sands Centre from Monday, December 10 until Monday, December 31. Heading down that particular yellow brick road will be Britain’s Got Talent winner Ashleigh Butler, and her 'Crufts Agility Champion' dog Sully, who will be off to see The Wizard as Dorothy and Toto. Nicki French - originally a Carlisle girl, and best-known for her dance track Total Eclipse of the Heart, which topped charts around the world in 1995 -plays The Wicked Witch of the West this Christmas. Box office on 01228-633766.

3 SPECIAL effects of the amazing kind feature in The Forum's yuletide yarn Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Pop along to the Barrow theatre and see Snow White and her seven friends from the enchanted forest attempt to defeat the Wicked Queen who is overcome with jealously when her magic mirror declares that Snow White is the fairest in all the land. The glittering cast of the Shone Productions' stars from Britain’s Got Talent 2018 Aleksandar Mileusnic as the Prince, Jessica Fay Long as Snow White, Steve Boyce playing Dame Dolly, Rich Roberts in the guise of Muddles and Nik Grundison as the Wicked Queen. Runs from December 18. Box office 01229-820000.

4 THIS year’s Christmas show from the performing and production arts students at Kendal College is their version of the classic and much loved tale, The Wind in The Willows. Under the expert guidance of Hilary Pezet the talented young students transform the college's Box Theatre into the enchanting animal world of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad. The mix of live music, songs and comedy has all the ingredients of a sure fire hit. There is a public performance on Friday, November 30 (7pm). To book contact bkm@Kendal.ac.uk.

5 A CHILLY front descends on Ulverston's Coronation Hall from December 21-27 when the family musical adventure The Snow Queen arrives in town. Star turn is Googlebox favourite Sandra Martin as the Enchantress of the Ice and Lisa Hart as the Snow Queen. Box office 01229-587140.