A PERFORMANCE by poet Pam Ayres and a journey through the life of Charles Dickens will keep audiences at the Gala Theatre amused this week.

Pam Ayres is still entertaining audiences 40 years after appearing on Opportunity Knocks and she will present her new show, Forty Years On, at the Durham venue on Saturday (October 10).

Dickens Abridged follows on Tuesday (October 13), devised by Adam Long – a founding member of The Reduced Shakespeare Company.

His new fast-paced musical comedy has received rave reviews.

Tickets for either show can be booked at the Gala box office, by calling 03000-266-600 or online at galadurham.co.uk