What's on stage this week...

WITH films like Bride and Prejudice on our screens and Asian music hitting the mainstream charts, it is no wonder that British audiences are crying out for more Indian culture in their theatres.

Audiences at the Lighthouse in Poole will have their thirst for all things Indian quenched from Tuesday, November 23 until Saturday, November 27, with a stage adaptation of A Passage to India.

The production promises to delight and surprise theatregoers when it hits the stage.

Co-produced by Shared Experience and Nottingham Playhouse, the new version brings a fresh approach to the modern classic using a story told by Professor Godbole.

A Passage to India tell the tale of Adela Quested, who arrives in colonial India determined to see the 'real picture' behind the intolerance and stiff formality of the British Raj.

Tickets: from £9.50. Box office: 01202 685222.

IAN Dickens Productions Ltd's latest stage offering is full of stars and is all set to arrive at the Haymarket theatre, Basingstoke on Monday, November 22.

The Gentle Hook will be running at the Basingstoke theatre until Saturday, November 27 and features a whole host of well-known faces. London's Burning heart throb Glen Murphy will play alongside Bergerac's Deborah Grant and The Bill's Tony Scannell in an intense and gripping thriller.

The production tells the tale of Stacey Harrison, a charming, sophisticated and highly successful businesswoman who manages to get herself involved in a sticky situation.

Tickets: from £8.50 Box office: 0870 770 1088.

SHAMS Theatre Company presents The Garden at Chesil Theatre, Winchester on Saturday, November 20.

The play tells the story of love lost and found, from the First World War to the present where Jay' sifts through his great-uncle's house in Bosnia.

Inspired by The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall, The Garden has been widely acclaimed in the UK and North America.

Tickets: £8 Box office: 01962 877 977.

TEATRO Kismet are catering for younger audiences at the Chichester Theatre from Wednesday, November 24 to Saturday, December 4 with three different productions.

Little Mysteries is aimed at children aged up to four and uses few words, simple songs, dance and action to teach children valuable lessons in life.

Che Accada! (Let it be!) is also aimed at this age group and gives very young children a chance to interact with the performer.

Through the Woods is aimed at seven- to 12- year-olds and tells the story of a boy's journey through the woods.

Children will pick up French, English and Italian in this production of song, dance and drama.

Tickets: from £3. Box office: 01243 781312.

THE Arena Theatre Group is returning their audiences to the dazzling world of Terry Pratchett, Britain's famous fantasy author. Arena's stage version of Terry's book, Maskerade will be performed live on stage at the Regent Centre, Christchurch from Thursday, November 25 to Saturday, November 27.

The show is a hilarious spoof of Phantom of the Opera and is set to get audiences giggling.

Tickets: £10 Box office: 01202 499148.