John Lyon gives his pick of the best shows across the South West in March.

LEE Mead, who won the heart of the nation as the winner of the BBC's hit show Any Dream Will Do, makes his drama debut at Plymouth's Theatre Royal from Monday, March 15 until Saturday, March 20.

Starring in Bill Kenwright's production of Oscar Wilde's Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, he is joined by an all-star cast, including legendary entertainer Gary Wilmot, fresh from his recent national tour of the smash hit musical Chicago.

The glamorous Kate O'Mara is also in the show, star of such TV hits as Dynasty, Howard's Way and Bad Girls. David Ross, who starred in the BBC hit sitcom The Green Green Grass, and Derren Nesbitt, best known for his role as chief inspector Jordan in Special Branch, also feature.

Box Office: 01752 267222.

Brewhouse, Taunton

A NEW adaptation of Laurie Lee's classic Cider With Rosie promises to be the highlight of the spring season at Taunton's Brewhouse. The acclaimed Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds production runs from Thursday, March 25 until the Saturday.

Box office: 01823 283244.

Exeter, Northcott

THE Northcott in Exeter is going through troubled times financially. At the time of going to press the following shows were still due to take place, but, of course, it would be advisable to check with the box office for the latest situation.

A comedy thriller about the theft of a priceless Invisible Artwork is the latest offering from the ever-surreal Forkbeard Fantasy. The Colour Of Nonsense features a mixture of visual trickery, film and outlandish story-lines to entertain you from Monday, March 22 to the Saturday. It's had great reviews in The Independent and Guardian.

For music lovers, English Touring Opera promise happy endings when they bring A Season Of Comedy to Exeter from Tuesday March 16 for a week. The programme includes Don Pasquale, The Marriage Of Figaro, and Benjamin Britten's awe-inspiring interpretation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Box office: 01392 493493.

Comedy Hall, Tiverton

APPEARING at Tiverton's Comedy Hall on Monday, March 15 is Perrier Award Winner Laura Solon, star of BBC1's Harry and Paul and ITV's Al Murray's Multiple Personality Disorder.

For more details visit the website at: www.comedyhall. co.uk.

Princess Theatre, Torquay

IDEAL for kids, Torquay's Princess Theatre stage Roald Dahl's amazing story about George's Marvellous Medicine. The story, that children of all ages love, is about a young boy who concocts a medicine to cure his grandmother of her terrifying temper. But when she drinks his special potion, the most incredible things start to happen.

This new adaptation by the Birmingham Stage Company runs from Tuesday, March 23 until the 26th with eight family-friendly performance times.

Box office: 0844 847 2315.

Plymouth Pavilions

WITH singer Peter Andre's Plymouth Pavilions gig the night before sold out long ago, there's still time to grab a ticket for Chris Rea's show on Tuesday, March 23.

His career spans 30 years and he has sold more than 30 million albums.

Another highlight at the venue this month is Irish comedian Dara O' Briain. Demand for tickets was so high he added another date and appears on Thursday, Friday March 25 and 26.

Advance notice — grab a ticket while you can for Question of Sport. After entertaining millions of viewers every week, BBC1's popular panel game is to embark on its first live stage tour to celebrate a staggering 40 years on air.

The UK's longest running and most popular sports quiz will visit major cities in the autumn, heading to Plymouth Pavilions on Wednesday, November 10.

The specially staged live show, licensed by BBC, largely follows the small-screen format, with team leaders cricketer Phil Tufnell and rugby star Matt Dawson, and guests.

Also all round entertainer John Barrowman has just released his third solo album, the self-titled John Barrowman this week on Arista and has announced a brand new 23 date UK Tour including a return visit to Plymouth Pavilions on Thursday, October 21.

Visit www.plymouthpavil ions.com.