OPERA

JOIN Encore on a magical tour of the world of opera tomorrow night (Saturday) at the Forum 28 in Barrow.

Encore has produced a programme of operatic gems to delight opera lovers old and new and will take to the stage at 7.30pm.

For tickets call 01229-820000.

SHOWS

ENJOY a feast of Motown Magic starring the amazing Tops 'n' Temps.

Reach Out has been reinventing the classic sound of Motown in theatres throughout Britain and this all-singing, all-dancing party will be coming to the Forum 28 in Barrow tonight (Friday, 8pm).

For tickets call 01229-820000.

JOHNNY Ball Productions present Tales of Maths and Legends on Monday at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston.

Starring the show's creator Johnny Ball, this educational musical traces a path through the history of Mathematics.

For details call 01229-587140.

SPORTS

FOLLOWING the success of the first Cross Country Mountain Bike Grand Prix in May, Forrest Hills (off Junction 33 of the M6) has again been chosen as the event's venue taking place on Sunday.

Children and junior races start at 11am followed by under 18s, novices, veterans, sports and masters at 2pm.

The site will be open from 9am.

For details call 01524-791255.

KENDAL Town FC welcome Scottish side Gretna to Parkside for a Unibond League Division 1 fixture on Tuesday (7.45pm) after travelling to Workington today (Friday, 7.45pm), in a league match brought forward because of the England v Germany World Cup qualifier.

KENDAL RUFC are away at Sedgley Park in the Tetley Bitter Cup tomorrow (Saturday, 3pm)

THE Great Langdale Marathon takes place from Chapel Stile on Sunday (10.45am)

THEATRE

ENTER the fabulous world of magic and sorcery at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal this weekend.

Performances of this Theatre Sans Frontieres production will be staged at 7.30pm tonight (Friday) and at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday).

For tickets call 01539-725133.

LIP Service presents Women on the Verger on Monday night at the Brewery Arts Centre.

Written by and starring Sue Ryding and Maggie Fox this hilarious production will be staged at 8pm.

TO MARK the Millennium, Kendal Parish Church has commissioned a major work of new drama.

The Wife of Kendal takes you on a breathtaking thousand year journey charting the history of Kendal and its parish church.

The play will run from Wednesday until Saturday (October 14) at 7.30pm in Kendal Parish Church.

For tickets call 01539-724410.

TONIGHT (Friday) is the opening night of the Tennessee Williams classic The Glass Menagerie at The Dukes in Lancaster.

Performances will be staged daily (except Sundays and Mondays) from Tuesday to Thursday at 7.30pm and on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, until October 28.

For tickets call 01524-66645.

ITF Productions presents Popcorn, a play by Ben Elton, on Thursday night at the Forum 28 in Barrow.

Described by the Press as a "zinging punchy thriller", the performance will be staged at 7.30pm.

For tickets call 01229-820000.

QUONDAM Theatre Company presents Julia Darling's compelling story about the men and women who built the Settle to Carlisle railway this weekend.

Head of Steel will be staged at the Coronation Hall in Ulverston tonight (Friday, 7.30pm) and at Aldingham Parish Hall tomorrow (Saturday, 7.30pm).

For tickets call 01229-587140 (Ulverston) or 01229-869596 (Aldingham).

THE NTC Theatre Company's production of Elizabeth Gaskell's passionate play Mary Barton will be staged at The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness tonight (Friday, 8pm).

For tickets call 015394-88444.

WORKINGTON Amateur Operatic Society presents Scrooge at the town's Carnegie Theatre from Monday until Saturday (October 14).

Based on the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol the play will be staged daily at 7.15pm.

For tickets call 01900-602122.