THIS weekend gives you the opportunity to bid farewell to an operatic legend. For years, Ellen Kent has been bringing her ballets and operas to Bournemouth and has wowed audiences with their opulence and splendour.

But now she has opted to take partial retirement and turn her hand to other things, so when her adaptation of Turandot bursts upon the stage in Bournemouth on Sunday, it will be the final fling of Ellen’s illustrious career.

Puccini’s Turandot is the tale of a cruel Chinese princess who has her suitors executed if they cannot solve three riddles.

At the execution of one prince, another young man sees and falls in love with the princess. The smitten lad successfully solves her first two riddles and risks his life as the time comes for the third.

Will he win the ice princess’s hand or will he face the fate of earlier suitors?

Turandot is at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth on Sunday, at 7.30pm. Call 0844 576 3000 for bookings, prices and full details.

Other events taking place this weekend include an excellent performance of the classic stage play Billy Liar at Lighthouse in Poole.

The cast includes Helen Foster, who appeared as one of dreamer Billy’s girlfriends in the epic 1960s film adaptation, which starred Tom Courtney in the title role.

In the stage adaptation, which you can see today and tomorrow at 7.30pm, with a 2.30 matinee tomorrow, she plays his mum. For full details and tickets call 0844 4068666.

Top quality family fun is also on offer tomorrow when world-famous children’s stand-up comedian James Campbell struts his laughter stuff at Bridport Arts Centre at 3pm.

Wildly funny, dry and inventive and with an eccentric streak a mile wide, this is top-notch entertainment for parents and children alike. Call 01308 424204 for bookings and full details.