POETIC favourite Pam Ayres is staging some special shows in Cheltenham next week.

Thirty years ago, Pam Ayres first took the audience by storm on Opportunity Knocks and since then, she has continued to delight the nation with her comic verse.

She has been a regular on the radio during her long career, with her own series on Radio 2 and Radio 4 and has been a big contributor to the continued success of all forms of poetry.

She brings her 30th anniversary tour - They Should Have Asked My Husband - to the Everyman Theatre for three shows, from Monday to Wednesday, September 12 to 14.

And not only will she be entertaining, the Monday show she will also be raising money for the Cotswold Care Hospice in Minchinhampton, for which some VIP tickets are being sold to people who want to also enjoy a reception and the chance for a chat with Pam herself.

The Tuesday and Wednesday performances will also be recorded for a special new DVD.

The West End thriller The Woman in Black is running at The Everyman until Saturday in the main theatre, while in The Other Space studio, the theatre's New Writing programme continues with Actually Moving.

Staged by The Everyman and The Golightlys, the new Joe Graham play is about a loving couple with a problem they don't want to talk about - but moving house 'throws up more than dust from under the bed!'.

The play runs until Saturday, promising laughter and tears in equal measure.

A Godber comedy promises to score laughs later this month.

Never seen a rugby game played live on stage? Now's your chance with a revival of John Godber's first smash hit comedy Up 'n' Under playing at the Everyman from Monday to Saturday, September 19 to 24.

Since its premier in 1984, where it won the Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival, this hilarious comedy has gone on to be one of the most performed plays of the 20th century.

It's all about The Cobbler's Arms - an unstoppable force in amateur rugby league!

These guys mean business; with terrifying tactics and frightening physiques, they're indestructible and they know it! Or are they? Arthur Hoyle doesn't think so...and he'll stake his house on that!

This Olivier award-winning comedy stars James Crossley, Hunter from Gladiators, Kate Baines, of Hollyoaks fame and Emerdale's Matthew Booth.

To book up for any of the Everyman shows, call 01242 572573 or log on to www.everyman-theatre.org.uk.

l The Everyman Theatre was designed by the great Victorian architect Frank Matcham and is opening its doors to anyone interested in touring the building tomorrow and Saturday.

Free tours will start on the hour and half hour as part of the Heritage Open Days scheme to allow people all over the country access to interesting properties. Tours run from 10am to 1.30pm on Friday and from 10am to 11.30am on Saturday.