Theatre

Cinderella Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch Until January 14 JoinCinderella on a magical adventure from rags to riches.

Expect magic, mayhem and comedy capers from your favourite pantocharacters. With everything you want from panto - catchy songs,spectacular sets, colourful costumes, side-splitting slapstick andof course lots of audience participation. Tickets from Pounds 14,with concessions, on 01708 443333 or at www.queens-theatre.co.uk TheVentriloquist Mercury Theatre, Colchester Tuesday, January 10 and 11The Circus of Horrors are back with a new show inspired by moviesDevil Doll and The Dead of Night. Set in Berlin during the roaring20s, a decedent decade seeing the birth of the Cabaret, Dr Haze'sVampire Vaudeville show features hair hanging beauties, twistedcontortionists, flying aerialists, demon dwarfs, gyrating jugglers,voodoo warriors, pickled people, sword swallowers, and its latestand greatest new found star, The Ventriloquist. Sure to send ashiver down your spine. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets from Pounds 17.50with concessions on 01206 573948 or go to www.mercurytheatre.co.uk AChristmas Carol Mercury Theatre, Colchester Thursday, January 12Mike Maran performs this yuletide classic with musical accompanimentfrom Norman Chalmers. Starts 7.30pm. Tickets from Pounds 14 toPounds 19.75 on 01206 573948 or e-mailboxoffice@mercurytheatre.co.uk