A WEEK of Christmas drama gets under way at Longshaw Community Centre, Blackburn.

For the past six months the centre, in Highercroft, has been housing a drama group for eight to 16-year-olds, led by ACT,a project funded by Arts Council England new theatres money and headed by the Action Factory Community Arts organisation.

And their production The Bumbles Christmas Blunder, a funny, magical and lively Christmas performance, with a moral message, takes to the stage this week.

It will be presented at a local residential home and Bank Top Community Centre before its main performance.

That is open to the public and free, at Longshaw Community Centre, on Friday at 7pm.

The ACT project is also bidding to develop interest in theatre in the area as a whole.

It aims to train staff in using drama as a learning techniques and encourage trips to live performances.

Beauty and the Beast

COLNE Operatic Society are performing Beauty and the Beast at the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, Colne.

It will run until Saturday December 11, when there will be a matinee show at 2.15pm.

Weekday performances commence at 7.15pm with tickets costing £8 per adult and £6 for concessions.

For more information call 01282 869513.

THE spooky comedy, The Haunted Through Lounge and Recessed Dining Nook at Farndale Castle, is on all week at The Little Theatre, River Street, Colne.

Curtain up is at 7.30pm and tickets cost £4.50 for Monday and Tuesday and £5 from Wednesday till Saturday.

Bookings can be made by calling 01282 861424.

lPETER Pan, is coming to Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on January 20 2005.

Starting at 7.30pm nightly, tickets cost £4 and can be reserved by calling 07714180359 or in person at Accrington Town Hall.

lBACUP'S Amateur Operatic Society's Christmas Production of The Sleeping Beauty is on from January 8 to 16 2005.

It will be performed at Bacup's Royal Court Theatre and tickets are now available from Rossendale Tourist Information Centre or by calling 01706 244678.

lTWO Victorian Tales - The Signalman and The Three Strangers will be staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, Blackburn on Friday January 14. The box office can be reached on 01254 265566.

lSEPTEMBER in the Rain will be on at Burnley Garrick Club at Burnley Mechanics from Wednesday January 19 to Saturday January 22. Tickets are already on sale. For more information call 01282 423488 or for bookings call 01282 664400.