Battersea Arts Centre, Lavender Hill, Battersea, 020 7223 2223.

Around The World In Eighty Days. This year's big Christmas musical at the BAC follows the adventures of Phileas Fogg and his quest to circle the globe. From the same team which brought you Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and The King And I ,this promises to be fantastic. Opens tonight to January 12 2002, 7.30pm, Sun 5.30pm, mats Sat 2.30pm, Tues Thurs 1pm, £4.50-£12.75.

Meat And Two Veg. A crackling off- the-wall comedy based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Marooned in post-war Britain, it's boiled eggs and strong tea for the tank-topped Cartoon de Salvo and rock and roll is about to become the next big thing. Closes December 22, 8.30pm, Sun 6.30pm, £5.50-£8.75.

Barnes Youth Theatre, Castlenau Youth Centre, Stilling Fleet Road, Barnes 020 7622 5908.

It Makes The World Go Round. What is love? Children say they love their parents when it suits them, while vows are taken yet hearts are broken every day. This is an amusing and sometimes tragic look at what love is and is not. Closes tonight, 8pm, £2.50-£3.50.

Battersea Power Station, Battersea, 020 7957 4090.

Cirque Du Soleil. Astounding sets, incredible effects and astonishing feats of acrobatic artistry come to town in this circus with a difference. Closes December 30, daily 7.30pm, mats Sat, Sun 3.30pm, £13-£39.50.

Charles Cryer Theatre, 39 High Street, Carshalton, 020 8770 4950.

The Night Before Christmas. A mischievous elf pretends to be hard at work in Santa's grotto on Christmas Eve, but he is secretly hiding toys for himself. Father Christmas catches him and explains to the elf what Christmas is all about. Closes December 24, 11am, 2pm, 7pm, £6.50.

Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, Colliers Wood, 020 8542 6644.

Cinderella. Fun packed adaptation of the story suitable for children aged three and above. Saturdays and Sundays 2pm, 4pm £5.

Epsom Playhouse, Ashley Avenue, Epsom, 01372 742555/742227.

Jack and his Magical Beanstalk. Spectacular family pantomime with Roman Marek as Jack and TV personality Rick Bowers, opens tonight, call the box office for times and prices.

The Fairfield, Barclay Road, Croydon, 020 8688 9291.

Cinderella. Mr Blobby and Darren Day star in this lavish production. Will Cinderella get to the ball, will the slipper fit and will she live happily ever after? Closes January 20, 7.30pm, other shows 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5pm, £9.50-£16.50.

Stomp. An exhilarating dance show which finds beauty and music in the mundane. Dustbins, washtubs and broomsticks are just some of the props used to make music. Closes December 23, 8pm, mats Sat Sun 3pm, £10-£22.50.

The Nutcracker. The Russian National Ballet stage Tchaikovsky's magical ballet. With glittering costumes and traditional fairytale staging this is a great show for the whole family.

Hampton Court House, The Green, Hampton Court, 020 8940 3633.

Marley Is Dead. A one man adaptation of Dickens' A Christmas Carol with Clive Francis, who played Scrooge in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of the story. Opens tomorrow, till December 23, 4.30pm, 8pm, £10-£12.

New Victoria Theatre, The Peacock Centre, Woking 01483 761144.

Aladdin. Pantomime fun with John Inman, Gary Wilmot, Russ Kane and Vanessa Feltz making her panto debut as the Genie of the Lamp. Closes January 27, 7.30pm, other shows 1.30pm, 2.30pm, 5.30pm, £9.50-£17.50.

Orange Tree Theatre Clarence Street Richmond 020 8940 3633

Have You Anything To Declare? French farce. On the night train to his honeymoon a young man fails to consummate his marriage because he is interrupted by a customs officer asking if he has anything to declare. Dueto his flagging ardour his new in laws threaten to hand their daughter over to a new suitor unless the situation is rectified in three days. Closes February 2, 7.45pm, £5-£15.50

Polka Theatre For Children, 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, 020 8543 4888.

The Night Before Christmas. For Jimmy Tibbs it doesn't feel like Christmas Eve. His grandparents are acting strangely, there is frost on the inside of the house and who is the strange woman in the garden? The Night Before Christmas is the perfect alternative to pantomimes and is suitable for children aged six and over. Until February 2002, £5.50-£12.50.

The Elves And The Shoemaker. A classic fairy tale about two elderly shoemakers. With two actors and puppets this perfect for younger children. Closes February 9 2002, £5-£6.

Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond 020 8940 0088

Cinderella. Julian Clary and Postman Pat star in this year's pantomime, complete with ugly sisters and a handsome prince. Opens Thursday, December 13, 7pm, other shows 1.30pm, 2pm, £10-£17.

Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, Walton upon Thames, 01932 253354.

Rumpelcowskin. The family favourite is given the Oklahoma treatment in this hilarious reworking of the children's story. Set during the Wild West gold rush a mysterious cowboy snatches the deputy's baby and only if they townsfolk can guess his name will he be safe. December 27-30, 2pm, 8pm, £5-£9.

The Rose and Crown Theatre, 59-61 High Street, Hampton Wick, 020 8296 9100.

Illusion. A show which takes the audience on a fantastic adventure full of magic and dance a perfect alternative to pantomime. Closes December 23, 8pm, mats Sat-Sun 2.30pm, £6-£24.

Warehouse Theatre, Dingwall Road, Croydon 020 8680 4060

Dick Barton Episode III: Tango Of Terror. After two highly successful shows Dick Barton returns for the latest instalment in his long running battle against EFIL(Evil Foreigners In London). Closes Sunday, February 3, 8pm, matinees Mon Tue 6.30pm, Sun 5.30pm, £6.50-£12.50.

Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon Broadway 020 8540 0362.

Jack And The Beanstalk. Shane Richie, Geoffrey Rainbow' Hayes and Sadie Nine star in this extravaganza. The timeless fairy story follows the adventures of Jack after he sells his cow for a handful of magic beans. Opens tonight, till January 20. Tickets £10 tonight only, £10-£17, 2pm, 7.15pm.

Wimbledon Studio Theatre

Alice In Wonderland. Musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic story featuring the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and the Queen Of Hearts. Closes December 22, 7.30pm, mats Wed 1,30pm, Sat 4pm, £6-£8.

December 21, 2001 11:30