A critical Guide: A Critical Guide: For children

Cinemagic (cinemas across Northern Ireland, 0232 232444, to 16 Dec). Unique film festival for six to 17-year-olds: 35 films including Tarka the Otter, ET, Emily's Ghost and the UK premiere of Free Willy, an adventure story about a boy and a whale.

Violins, Fiddles and Follies (Paragon, Bath, 0225 446020, Fri). Susan Baker presents her 'museum' of rare and eccentric fiddles. Not strictly a children's show, but inspiring for anyone learning to play.

Jo-Jo the Melon Donkey (National, 071-928 2252, from Sat to 14 Jan). Rerun of last year's successful musical, staged in the foyer. A donkey is called on to save the citizens of Venice from drowning.

The Ugly Duckling (Watermill, Newbury, 0635 46044, Sat to 15 Jan). Musical comedy, aka The Aesthetically Challenged Farmyard Fowl, specially written for this renowned theatre-restaurant.