A ROCK and roll musical gets a Purple makeover!

Purple Theatre Company tells the story of a brave space captain and his loyal Albatross crew, who are shipwrecked on a planet with a disgraced scientist, his beautiful daughter, their robot and a giant monster.

A fantastic show for all the family, the show features songs including Great Balls of Fire, Shake, Rattle and Roll, Wipeout and other classics of the same era, served up with a Shakespearian plot.

what? Return to The Forbidden Planet where? Compass Theatre, Glebe Avenue, Ickenham when? Wednesday, December 2 to Saturday, December 5 at 7.30pm cost? £12.50 (£10.50 Wednesday and concessions Thursday) see: www.compass theatre.co.uk call: 01895 673 200

Crunch time for laughs

ENJOY an evening of side-splitting stand-up comedians courtesy of four funnymen and a feisty female compere.

Storyteller and satirist Nick Revell, described by The Guardian as 'one of the most creative and incisive comics on the circuit', will kick off proceedings, followed by punchy one-liners and self-deprecating humour from Adnan Ahmed and Don Biswas.

Actor Felix Dexter will close the evening with a high energy routine focusing on observational comedy, while award-winning Asian stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza will be the glue who holds the show together. Suitable for over-18s only.

what? Comedy Crunch where? Harrow Arts Centre, Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA when? Sunday at 7.30pm cost? £10 (£8 concessions) call: 020 8416 8989 see: www.harrowarts.com

Pinner pantomime

CELEBRATE the festive season by watching the switching on of Pinner's Christmas tree lights.

Then search for stocking fillers in shops staying open late. Many children from local schools will performing in the street and a choir from local churches will be singing carols. Prizes will be awarded for the best panto-themed window displays and costumes, plus there will also be a Santa's grotto and fairground rides. The evening will end with a firework display at 8.30pm.

what? Pinner Pantomime Evening where? High Street and Bridge Street, Pinner when? Tonight (Thursday) from 5pm cost? Free see: www.pinnerlocal.co.uk

James James Morrison Morrison

FRESH from a recent US tour, including a set at music festival Coachella, Brit award-winner James Morrison (pictured) is visiting the biggest UK venues he's ever played.

The singer/songwriter and guitarist, famed for his album Songs for You, Truths for Me, has a voice 'with its own thumbprint, which you'll forever recognise', according to Atlantic Records legend Jerry Wexler.

what? James Morrison where? Wembley Arena, Arena Square, Engineers Way, Wembley, HA9 0DH when? Tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm (doors 6.30pm) cost? From £29.50 see: www.livenation.co.uk

Be crafty - avoid high street shopping in favour of the market

AVOID the hustle and bustle of the high street in favour of a popular market featuring beautiful handmade crafts by local artists.

Two halls will be jam-packed with crafts for this special Christmas event, including ceramics, canvas paintings and photography, decorative boxes, pots and vases, cushions and bags, jewellery and trinket boxes, crochet and knitting and Christmas decorations. Cancer Research UK will be selling cards, while Northwood Live at Home scheme will be flogging festive fare.

There will also be special demonstrations on caning and origami, plus Christmas carols and music.

what? Northwood Christmas craft market where? Northwood Methodist Church Hall, Oaklands Gate, Northwood, HA6 3AA when? Saturday from 10am-3pm cost? Free see: www.northwoodcraft market.co.uk