CHORLEY Youth Theatre is hoping to have its audience in stitches next week with its tale of a clothes-less fashion parade. The players are producing the fable The Emperor's New Clothes on Saturday, December 16, at the Chorley Little Theatre. The youngsters will perform a matinee at 2.30pm and an evening show at 7.30pm. For more information about the production, call 01257 275123.

THE new-look Hippodrome Theatre, Todmorden, will be re-opening on Saturday for the first time since it was devastated by floodwater earlier this year. The Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society and the Hippodrome Youth Theatre will be performing a special gala performance with monologues, songs and more. Tickets cost £5 or £3 and are available from Todmorden Tourist Information Centre on 01706 818181.

BLACKBURN Arts Club is rehearsing for thriller Dead Man's Hand, set in a remote Italian villa where guests are lured in to be murdered one by one. Ann Collins has produced the show which runs at the Club Theatre, Gibraltar Street, Blackburn from December 12 to 16 at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4.50 or £3.50. Call 01254 52024 or 01254 52910 during show week after 7.00pm.

TRADITIONAL Christmas favourite Handel's Messiah will be sung by Blackburn Music Society Choir on Saturday at Blackburn Cathedral. Lancashire Chamber Orchestra will also play at the event at 7.30pm. Tickets, costing £10 or £6, are available from King George's Hall on 01254 582582 or from the Cathedral shop.