Come to the theatre when shows inside and out offer full-scale family fun over the next week. On Wednesday, the scene is Darlington Arts Centre and Mr Shell's Seaside Spells. On Thursday, the action switches into the open air of Gisborough Priory for 5 Children and it. Mr Shell's Seaside Spells is aimed at the five to eleven range and is staged at 11am and 2.30pm. Step down on to the beach where Mr Shell's end-of-the-pier show is about to be inspected by the 'orrible council inspector. Can our heroine, Wendy Weir, save the pier? Does Mr Shell find his box of tricks and remember the seaside spell? Can Charlie the caretaker fight off the giant octopus? "This new hilarious show draws on the traditions of Victorian 'hiss and boo' melodrama, Punch And Judy, conjuring, illusion and slapstick," says Darlington theatres' Niki Burgham. "There's loads of audience participation in this colourful, exciting production and, of course, a glorious happy ending." Tickets are £4. Call 01325 486 555 for more details. The Illyria company bring Five Children And It by E Nesbitt of Railway Children fame to Gisborough Priory. See it at 2pm and 7pm (gates open 1pm and 6pm) when tickets are £8.50, £5 concs. Call 01287 633801 or 622422 for details. Raby Castle is hosting two evenings of outdoor opera in the Walled Gardens a week tonight and a week tomorrow when Opera Brava first presents La Boheme and then Carmen. " This is a unique opportunity to enjoy opera, sung in English, in a relaxed atmosphere with the superb backdrop of the castle. "What better way to spend a summer's evening," says Raby Castle's Catherine Turnbull. See them at 7.30pm, with gates opening at 6.30. Tickets are adults £20, children (5-16) £10, family £50. Call 01833 660202 or 660541 for more details. Meanwhile, head for Mount Grace Priory a week tonight when the Merry Wives of Widsor will be up to their tricks in the open air with the easily outmanoeuvred Sir John Falstaff. Gates open at 6.45pm with the show starting at 7.30. Tickets are adults £11, concs £9, children £7. Call 01609 883494 for more. | 
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