THREE local schools are taking part in the largest youth drama event at a professional theatre, the Shakespeare Schools Festival.

Belvue, Drayton Manor and Villiers High in Ealing will join thousands of young people performing in theatres across the UK when they stage four half-hour plays at the Beck Theatre in Hayes, They will be among 10,000 11-16-year-olds performing versions of some of Shakespeare's greatest plays (abridged versions have been contributed by patrons Sir Tom Stoppard, Sir Arnold Wesker and Jamila Gavin).

Partnered for the first time this year with the National Theatre and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Shakespeare Schools Festival is about introducing young people to the universal themes of love, jealousy, hate and rivalry - and allowing Shakespeare's unique interpretation and language to help them make sense of a sometimes turbulent world.

Round-up ...What? Shakespeare Schools Festival where? The Beck Theatre, Hayes when? Monday and Tuesday, October 12-13, 7pm cost? £7.50 and concessions call: 020 8561 8371

Harry Potter Inspiration - page 2

AN ARTIST who has hearing, speech and visual disabilities is displaying five of his paintings at PM Gallery.

Khaled Alvi, who came to London from India in 1965 and lives in Ealing, is taking part in Ealing Art Group's Annual Exhibition of Painting and Craft. He said he was inspired to paint in school by a visiting teacher from the US. He said: "I realised the power of computers and used it in my learning of the craft of sketching, drawing and painting. I received felt-tip pens on my birthday, which stunningly transformed me into a painter, like Harry Potter had swung his wand at me."

He had his first solo exhibition in India in 1995 and has since shown in London libraries, hospitals and art galleries, including a Royal National Institute for the Blind exhibition of six handicapped artists.

Round-up ...What? Painting exhibition where? PM Gallery, Mattock Lane, Ealing when? Today (Friday) 1-8pm, tomorrow 11am-4.30pm and Sunday 11am-4pm cost? Free

Curry and hot comedy - page 3

REVOLUTIONARYunderground comedian Paul Chowdhry will be performing his full-length West End sell-out show, The Ironic Iconic, at a hot comedy and curry night.

This is an experience you can't afford to miss. In addition to seeing the show, tantalise your taste buds with the Guru Tandoori Restaurant curry deal for £5.

Round-up ...TEXT: what? Comedy show The Ironic Iconic where? Watermans Art Centre, 40 High Street, Brentford when? Friday to Sunday (October 9-11) at 7.45pm cost? Tickets £8 in advance or £10 on the door call: 020 8232 1010

Wall painters required at Kensington Palace - page 4

KENSINGTON Palace is creating a mural design of Kensington and needs young people to go along and add their own fabulous characters to help bring its stories to life.

There will also be free workshops with artists from Monorex, an innovative graphic design collective from London.

Two artists will stage a live art battle during the event, armed only with a black marker pen, blank piece of canvas and their imagination. They will have 90 minutes to create their own version of an enchanted palace.

Round-up ...What? Designing a mural where? Kensington Palace, in Kensington Gardens, on the edge of Hyde Park,off Kensington High Street, on the grass by the Golden Gates when? Tomorrow (Saturday) 11am-5pm cost? Free

It's all about you ladies - page 5

MEN look away, because you are not invited to this exclusive girls' night-out - an evening of pampering and networking at the Haven pub.

What About Me?, a release-the-tension networking event is being held at the Ealing pub.

It offers free makeovers and complimentary hair treatments, as well as an interactive and funbased workshop, How to Look and Feel Absolutely Fabulous, led by life coach Sandra Jarvis, to help women let their hair down and release the tension.

There will also be a variety of fashion accessories from shoes, clothes, jewellery, and perfume to buy and a raffle.

Round-up ...What? What About Me? where? Haven pub, Haven Green, Ealing when? Wednesday (October 14) at 5.30pm cost? £10 including buffet and glass of wine call: 020 8571 2039 or 07747 372 754