Comedian Romesh Ranganathan will bring his 2014 Edinburgh Best Show Comedy Award-nominated show, Rom Wasn’t Built In A Day, to The Witham in Barnard Castle on Saturday.

You might recognise Romesh from his many TV appearances, which include Mock The Week, Live At The Apollo, Sunday Night At the London Palladium, and a regular slot on Channel 4’s weekly topical show, Stand Up For The Week.

Peter Dixon, of promoters Funny Way To Be, says: “I saw Romesh's Best Newcomer Nominated Edinburgh show in 2013 and along with many others recognised he was a comedian heading for the top. We are thrilled that he agreed to perform this autumn as the only North East date on his debut UK tour.”

Romesh will be joined by a comedy headliner in her own right, rising stand-up and Alan Carr’s tour support, Suzi Ruffell.

In her second show, Social Chameleon, she questions why she spent 27 years trying to make anyone and everyone like her.

Turns outs it takes a fat bully from Swansea, a too-honest mother and searching a Parisian graveyard for someone she has never heard of to give up trying and just be herself.

Romesh Rangathan at The Witham, Barnard Castle - Saturday.

Box Office: 01833-631-107. Information Line: 01833-650-930

More info: funnywaytobe.com

BASED on David Bedford’s picture books, this new stage adaptation has been created especially for three to seven-year olds and their families.

Nottingham-based professional theatre company Blunderbus has been creating memorable theatre for little people for more than 15 years. Its festive offering has been adapted for the stage by Bill Davis with music and lyrics by Frank Goodhind and larger than life puppets by Lisa Kelly.

There’s also an appearance from Father Christmas too, but shhh, it’s a secret.

Blunderbus has another family show to bring to Middlesbrough Town Hall, on February 2, with a production of Hugless Douglas, the huggable, lovable, young brown bear who wakes up one morning in need of a hug. He tries to find the perfect hug, but none of them seem quite right.

December 19 at 10.30am and 1.30pm and December 20 at 11.30am and 2.30pm.

Middlesbrough Town Hall, Box Office: 01642-729-729 or middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk.