Powder Monkey

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While her brother is away fighting in the army, 12-year old Stella spends a lot of time hiding out in her wasteland kingdom on the edge of the woods, defending her armchair castle.

Some days her life feels like a battle, especially with 10-year old Neighbour Worm pretend fighting with her brother's treasured toy soldiers.

As Stella and Worm try to escape to their own retreats, they start to notice some weird things in the woods, almost like they're being watched!

On the news, war seems a million miles away, but if there is something in the woods, how long can Stella defend her kingdom - her place?

Niamh Quinn

Suitable for aged 9 years plus, Powder Monkey is written by Amanda Dalton who is also an acclaimed poet and playwright, directed by Matt Peover and designed by James Cotterill.

The cast includes Alisha Bailey as the child solider and refugee AK. Alisha has just graduated from the Central School of Speech and Drama and recent credits include Missing and Doctor Who. Playing the role of Worm is Matthew Abram who has just graduated from LAMDA, and playing the role of Stella is Niamh Quinn, whose credits include Macbeth and The Children's Hour.

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre continues its dedication in producing entertaining and informative work for children with the World Premiere of Powder Monkey showing from Thursday 3 June to Saturday 19 June in The Studio at the Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, MANCHESTER.

Showtimes: 1.30pm / 4pm / 7.30pm and 8pm. Adm: Adults £9.50, concs £6.50, Students and under 26s £4.75, Under 13s £4. Info: 0161 833 9833 / www.royalexchange.co.uk/studio

Family Christmas Show: Get Santa!

Pic credit: Britt Spencer

It's Christmas Eve but Holly isn't happy. All she's ever wanted from Santa is to meet her real Dad for the first time. And every time, Santa's failed to deliver, bringing lots of useless presents instead.

Well, Holly's had enough. This year she has a plan. She's going to wait up and trap Santa when he arrives and get from him the only present she's ever wanted.

But that's only the beginning of the adventure: add in a very dim Elf called Bumblehole, a machine that changes Families and a Teddy Bear with an evil masterplan and you have the ingredients for a magical, musical and downright mischievous Christmas Show with a fresh moral.

Written and directed by Anthony Neilson Get Santa! will be the Royal Court's first ever family Christmas show. The play, for 7 year olds and above, follows a ten-year old girl in her quest to find the perfect family, meeting a host of weird and wonderful characters along the way.

Dominic Cooke, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre said one of the most exciting theatrical developments in recent years has been the explosion of quality work for children and families. He is delighted that the Royal Court will be bringing its bold and contemporary sensibility to a family Christmas show this year. "As one of our most inventive and imaginative theatre-makers Anthony Neilson is a natural choice for the job and I'm thrilled that he'll be teaming up with composer and regular collaborator Nick Powell to bring a slice of festive anarchy to Sloane Square this Christmas with Get Santa!"

Sponsored by Coutts, Get Santa! previews from 1 December 2010 and runs until 15 January 2011 in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs at the Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, London SW1W 8AS. Priority Booking for schools, friends and supporters from Wed 12 May. General Booking opens Mon 17 May. 10.45am / 1.30pm / 3pm. Add: Adults £12, £18, £25. Children (under 16) £8, £10, £12.50. School groups of 8+ £8. Info: 0207 565 5000 / www.royalcourttheatre.com