FOLLOWING their sell-out success last year, professional theatre group Salisbury Umbrella are back at Salisbury Playhouse with a hilarious original show.

More Crackers! runs until January 8 at the theatre's Salberg Studio and is a Christmas review show, which is packed with original jokes, sketches and songs with a twist.

The show offers a seasonal alternative to pantos and is ideal for office outings and family get togethers for all ages.

Tickets: £10.50. Box office: 01722 320222.

CHICHESTER Festival Youth Theatre and Lola the dog are bringing the much-loved musical Oliver! to the stage from Monday, December 20.

This glorious production of Oliver!, which is being performed at Chichester Festival Theatre, is professionally directed, choreographed and designed but the 80-strong company consists entirely of youth theatre members - and a dog.

The production runs until January 1.

Tickets: from £6. Box office: 01243 781312.

FAMILIES with young children can enjoy some festive fun at the Ashcroft Arts Centre in Fareham on Wednesday, December 22.

The theatre is holding two daytime performances of Hansel and Gretel.

The show tells the story of a brother and sister who stick together through the trials of foolish parents and a wicked witch.

During a light-hearted half-hour rehearsal before the show some children are chosen to appear in the show and get to have a practice while the rest of the audience is taught three songs.

Tickets: £5. Box office: 01329 310600.

JOIN in a wild goose chase at Havant Arts Centre on Monday, December 20.

Children aged four and over will love humorous show Martha's Wild Goose Chase.

Martha doesn't need anyone. She lives alone in a driftwood shack.

No one is allowed into her home and the only person she ever sees is the postman delivering her letters. Then one day a fun-loving goose arrives on her doorstep and her life changes.

Tickets: £5.25. Box office: 023 9247 2700.

THE Canterville Ghost continues to send a chill down audiences' spines at The Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke this week.

The play, which runs until January 8, tells the story of an American family who move into a creaky old hall only to discover that they are not alone. The resident ghosts are determined to scare the family off but the children of the family are equally determined to fight their corner and begin booby-trapping the place.

Tickets: from £8.50. Box office: 0870 7701088.