On stage

THE Mayflower in Southampton is still playing host to the mysterious Inspector Goole. An Inspector Calls is a powerful and dramatic stage spectacle, with renowned big screen director Stephen Daldry taking the reigns.

How will the prosperous Birling family react when the Inspector disturbs their pleasant evening with revelations that could shatter the foundations of the household forever? You can find out tonight and tomorrow.

Tickets from £14.50. Box office: 023 8071 1811.

A PRODUCTION of Map of the Heart, began at the Salisbury Playhouse last night. Telling the story of Albie, an average middle-aged man who suddenly decides to volunteer for a relief mission in the Sudan, the play has been written by William Nicholson.

Albie walks out on his life and leaves his wife to pick up the pieces. But when he is taken hostage, she must make a difficult decision.

Nicholson is the man behind the film Gladiator, and the emotions and drama are just as raw in this stage play as they are in his big screen credits. This production can be seen until Saturday, May 7.

Tickets from £9. Box office: 01722 320333.

THE FLORIAN School of Dance celebrates its twentieth birthday at The Point in Eastleigh tonight, with a further two performances tomorrow. They will perform a ballet based on the children's classic fairytale Rumpelstiltskin, together with a mixed programme of modern, jazz, tap and musical theatre pieces.

Call The Point's box office on 023 8065 2333 for ticket information.

A MOVING urban fairytale laced with humour is on offer at The Point in Eastleigh from Thursday. Beautiful Thing revolves around three teenagers passing time on their estate during a long, hot summer. Each of the teenagers' personal problems are dealt with sensitively and the teenagers discover that the bonds between them are stronger than they ever imagined.

Full of awkwardness, tenderness, rage and bravery, this co-production by the Pilot Theatre Company and the Octagon Theatre Bolton is a true tale of coming of age, and coming out.

Tickets from £10.50. Box office: 023 8065 2333.

THE Nuffield Theatre continues to stage its production of Moliere's A School For Wives. It tells the humorous story of a paranoid man who brainwashes a young woman to make sure that, once they are married, she will never cheat on him. Will all go to plan for the devious husband? Directed by The Nuffield's very own Patrick Sandford, this production runs until Saturday, May 7.

Tickets from £12. Box office: 023 8067 1771.

AN ALL-junior cast perform Bugsy Malone at the Theatre Royal in Winchester tonight and tomorrow. It's New York in the 1920s, and there is a war raging between two rival gangsters, Fat Sam and Dandy Dam.

Based on one of the most popular films of the 1970s, this amateur production will showcase an array of young acting talents to keep an eye out for in the future.

Tickets from £10.50. Box office: 01962 840 440.

A SENSUAL psychological thriller set in an eerie hotel takes centre stage at The Lighthouse in Poole next Friday. Things are never the same for Terence and Tilly when a mysterious guest arrives. What will happen next?

From Winchester based theatre-company Platform 4, Claustrophobia is a thriller etched in the same gripping style as Hitchcock's most memorable work. The show can also be seen on the following Saturday night.

Tickets £9. Box office: 01202 685222.

AMATEUR theatre group the Bench Theatre Company begin a three-day run at the Havants Arts Centre on Thursday with their new production Skylight.

Skylight is an impassioned head-on collision of values and confused desires..

Kyra is a young teacher working and living in one of London's less attractive districts.

Tom's wife has recently died of cancer. hHe is a wealthy entrepreneur and Kyra's former lover. On a cold winter night Tom's teenage son, Edward, calls on the young teacher to beg her to be reconciled with his father.

Tom himself arrives, wishing to expiate his guilt and renew his lust. Kyra complies, sort of, until the debate soars and the insults fly.

Tickets £6. Box Office: 023 9247 2700.

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