What's On with Sue Gerrard

FEBRUARY has some great shows coming your way, so there's no need to be a stay-at-home!

There's a treat for youngsters at the Theatre Royal on Sunday, February 18 -- for one day only -- in the shape of 'The Ugly Duckling.' Book your seats now.

And the panto season continues when the show 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' returns to the theatre from Thursday to Saturday, February 22 to 24 in a traditional show for all the family.

There is then a chance to catch the amazing Spirit of the Dance who come back to the theatre with their new show 'One World', a breathtaking spectacular, on Sunday, February 25 from 7.30pm.

On Friday, February 2 there is a treat for folk fans when Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill appear at The Citadel Waterloo Street venue from 8.30pm.

And The Matchbox Theatre Company, the well-established Rainhill-based amateur group present the fast and funny 'Teechers' by John Goodbar at the Waterloo Stree venue on Friday and Sautrday, February 9 and 10. Curtain up is 8pm and tickets are £4 and £3 concessions.

On Thursday, February 15 The Citadel is playing host to 'Originality' macde up of new poems and new writing. If you would like to take part, call Tony on 0151 424 5721 to book a spot or just turn up on the night. It starts at 8pm.

Eccleston Social Club will host a charity convert in aid of Willowbrook Hopsice on Friday, February 2. Entitled 'Fasten Your Seatbelts', it will feature a cast of more than 40 entertainers including pupils from the Elizabeth Hill School of Dance, the Citadel Arts Band, the Eccleston Mere School-based 'Friends 'n' Families' band, singer Mike Woodhouse and folk group The Fumblers. Compere is Vince Wilcox and the fun starts at 8pm. Tickets, £2.50, are available from the Hospice Campaign Office, Claughton Street on 01744 453798 or 753745, or pay £3 on the door.

Another hospice fund-raising event is a Fashion Sale by Walk In Wardrobe on Thursday, February 8. This is at Corpus Christi, Rainford from 7.30 to 9.30pm and tickets are £2, including a glass of wine. Further details are available from 01744 453798.

The jazz Rendezvous at the Star at Rainford continues with Don Lydiatt (clarinet), Don Long (trombone) and Ian McCann (banjo and guitar) on Sunday, February 4 at 8.30pm.

And the Carr Mill Hotel on the East Lancs Road is playing host to Blue Delight who will be playing jazz standards on Monday, February 12 at 9pm. Their special guest is Vince Blackwell and admission is free.

Jazz is alson the menu at the Bell and Barrel, North John Street tonight (Thursday, February) when their guest is Martin Smith on trumpet. And on Thursday, February 8 you can listen to the sounds of Harold Salisbury and Jeff Ashby. It gets underway at 8.30pm.

Wargrave School PFA, Newton-le-Willows is holding a Quiz Night on Friday, February 9 at the Vulcan Club. It starts at 8pm and everyone is welcome.

There is still a chance to catch panto 'Babes in the Wood' which is being staged by Prescot and Whiston Methodist Players at the Prescot Methodist Centre, Atherton Street, until Saturday, February 3 at 7.30pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.15pm.

Lovers of traditional jazz/swing music can listen to tunes from the 30s and 40s played by The Dixie Kings every Wednesday at the Deanes House Hotel, Prescot from 8.30 to 11.15pm. Admission is free.

The Framing Studio and Observer Gallery, Rowbottom Square, Wigan is hosting an exhibition by St Helens artist Paul Cousins and Ulrich West, from Ashton-in-Makerfield. This is until, Thursday, March 1 and further details are available from Mike on 01942 233022.