WHEN 12-year-old Scott Coxon moves house and starts at a new school, he finds himself drawn to Raggedy Ann, the strange girl who sits at his table - and he's prepared to risk everything to find out why she won't smile. Theatre First brings Abomination (suitable for ages nine to 16) to Kendal's Brewery Arts Centre on Friday, February 14 (1.30pm and 7.30pm), translating the thrilling pace of Robert Swindell's award-winning novel to the stage with a dynamic fusion of dramatic storytelling and physical theatre. Adapted by Julie Wilkinson and directed by Daniel Buckroyd, the cast includes Verity Hewlett (Coronation Street, Moll Flanders, Reckless, Peak Practice); Milenka James (Happiness, Sky TV's Planet Earth), and Adam Ward (Redcap, London's Burning, Casualty). Tickets are £6/ concessions £4/ family £18, available from the box office on 01539-725133.

SOPRANO Rachel Little joins Levens Choir, the Kent Sinfonietta, flautist Benjamin MacDougall, and tenor Nicholas Hurndall-Smith for two concerts featuring works by Bach, Benjamin Britten and Sir Arthur Bliss. On Saturday, February 8 (7.30pm), the illustrious line-up performs at St Andrew's Church, Penrith, with a concert the day after (Sunday, 7.30pm) at Kendal's St George's Church. Tickets £7 (students and children free) are available from Specsavers, Stricklandgate, Kendal, and for the Penrith concert from the Bluebell Bookshop, Penrith. Also at the door or on 01539-733259.

DRAMATIC poem entitled Let Your Left Hand Sing is being performed by author Kevin Fegan, at Welfare State International, in Ulverston, on Friday, February 28. The poem was commissioned as part of the Commonwealth Games Spirit of Friendship Festival events. The performance at 8pm is suitable for adults and older children. Admission is £6.

February 6, 2003 10:30