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Haverhill Arts Centre’s Christmas show this year will be a brand new version of the classic tale Beauty And The Beast.

Blackeyed Theatre’s fun-filled take on the timeless fairy story runs at the Arts Centre on Tuesday, December 28 at 7pm, Wednesday, December 29, at 2pm and 7pm, Thursday, December 30, at 2pm and Friday, December 31 at 11am and 2.30pm.

Tickets are £9.50 and £7.50 concessions with a family ticket (two adults, two children or one adult, three children) for £30. Tickets are selling fast with some performances already close to selling out so you need to book your tickets now to avoid disappointment.

You can call the box office on 01440 714140 or go online www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk

Along with the hairy beast there will, of course, be the beautiful Belle, her father, a dippy suitor called Marcel Dumbell and a scatty French queen. Two of the cast members of the touring theatre company have links to the area.

Henry Douthwaite who plays the beast said: "From the age of four to about 12, I lived near Duxford. My first experiences of acting and stage were at the schools I attended around that area. My grandparents lived in Saffron Walden during the last years of their life. I used to love it there, still do.

Ben Watson, who plays Marcel, often visits the area to see his grandfather who lives near Haverhill.

Beauty And The Beast is touring other theatres in the country before it arrives in Haverhill and has already gained rave reviews. The Stage describes it as ‘fast moving’, ‘fun-drenched’ and ‘charming.’

At one and a half hours long, including interval, this show is suitable for all the family and with the beast resembling a cross between Bob Marley and Jethro Tull it shouldn’t be too frightening for the younger members of the audience.

Nick Keeble, the Arts Centre programmer, said: "This year we wanted to try something a bit different so, after seeing the reception that Blackeyed Theatre received for Peter Pan (their 2009 Christmas show), I was thrilled to be able to book Beauty And The Beast for Haverhill Arts Centre.

"Another change is that we’ve scheduled the show slightly later in December than we have in the past, but we thought that after Boxing Day the Christmas holidays can feel a bit flat, so bringing the family to Beauty And The Beast would be the perfect pick-me-up to see everyone through to the new year!"