Plays and shows treading the boards in Dorset this week

Award-winning drama

THE Royal National Theatre's award-winning production of Michael Frayne's Copenhagen is playing Poole Arts Centre's Towngate Theatre.

Winner of ten major awards including Best Play at the Evening Standard and Tony Awards, Copenhagen tells the true story of the race to investigate the power of the atom during World War Two.

It stars Anna Carteret, Alexander Hanson and David Horovitch and runs until tomorrow night.

For tickets call 01202 685222.

Sleeping Beauty on tour

RINGWOOD-based touring theatre company Forest Forge is back in the road, this time with its Christmas production Briar Rose - A Sleeping Beauty, a new adaptation of the classic Sleeping Beauty story.

The company is touring the south and tomorrow night arrives at the Hordle WI hall at New Milton.

For tickets call 01425 653096.

Have a laugh at hotel

THE Jester Laugh Comedy Club is back in action at the Brunswick Hotel in Charminster tonight. The line-up includes Mike Milligan, Gary Delaney and Caimh and Pierre Hollins.

For tickets call 01202 304972.

Opera selection

THE world-renowned London Opera Players make their first visit to the Regent Centre in Christchurch tomorrow (Saturday) with the touring production Ring Up the Curtain.

The evening offers a gala concert performed by four singers, a quintet and keyboards offering a selection of duets, trios and ensembles by composers like Rossini, Puccini, Strauss,and Bizet.

For tickets and further information call 01202 499148.

Golding's survivors

A NEW stage adaptation of William Golding's classic novel The Lord of the Flies plays Salisbury Playhouse tonight and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday).

The story - retold by the Pilot Theatre Company - tells of a group of school-boys stranded on a desert island.

For tickets and further information call 01722 - 320333.

Testament of youth

THERE'S another chance to see some of the finest of the new generation of actors in action in Springboard III at Salisbury Playhouse. The double bill includes Fen by Caryl Churchill and Sharp Relief by Zoe Lewis.

For tickets and further information call 01722 320333.

A bit of a Monkey

SPYMONKEY bring their new product-ion Cooped to the Forest Arts Centre at New Milton tonight (Friday).

It finds fawn-like Laura du Lay - rich, young, beautiful - taking up a new position as confidential secretary to the widowed Count Murston.

For tickets and further information 01425 612393.

Fairy tale ballet

THE Western Association of Ballet Schools bring their production of the popular Hans Christian Anderson story The Snow Queen to the Pavilion theatre in Bournemouth on Sunday (November 25). This delightful ballet makes a great pre-Christmas treat.

For tickets and further information call 01202 456456.