SERIOUS drama rubs shoulders with a dose of male nudity, Oriental intrigue and glamorous musical entertainment at local theatres in the coming weeks.

Top actress Linda Marlowe is performing a one-woman drama at The Theatre, Chipping Norton on Saturday. Called Diatribe of Love, it has been penned by a Columbian writer and is set on the eve of a woman's 25th wedding anniversary celebrations.

She reflects on her married life and resolves to take revenge on her powerful, philandering husband. It is described as 'a haunting and poetic study of a woman's past and present dilemma' and it all begins at 8pm. For tickets, call the box office on 01608 642350 or click on www.chippingnortontheatre.co.uk.

Also at Chippy, on Friday, see remarkable stories of the Women's Land Army come to life in Lilies on the Land, a play which has been devised from more than 150 responses to a call for information published in Saga Magazine.

A group of actresses weave the dramas and songs of the day in an energetic and poignant reminder of the lives of the women who signed up to bring in the harvest during the war.

Another moving story is being told in Tewkesbury when the tour of Molly Sweeney, by Brian Friel, comes to town with The London Classic Theatre Company. It tells the tale of Molly, who, blind for 40 years, has made a life for herself in darkness.

Her husband becomes obsessed with researching her condition and persuades her to undergo a series of operations set to change her life, an opportunity she is persuaded to grasp against her better judgement. It is showing on Thursday, June 12. Call the box office on 01684 295074.

Adults only are allowed in to The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham from June 16 for a week when Ladies' Night is returning to provide the ultimate girls' night out - organisers promise "it will leave you weak at the knees and aching with laughter". The hit comedy is about a group of unemployed friends who turn to stripping, convinced their Raging Rhinos act has got what it takes - but what it takes is a little female advice.

Yes, there will be nudity, so don't go if that will cause offence or if you're under age - do go along if you're open- minded and after a laugh. Before that, however, whole families can enjoy The Mikado, that famous Gilbert story of love and deceit put to some of Sullivan's favourite music, which is coming to the Everyman from Monday to Saturday. The Cotswold Savoyards are giving the tale a new twist by bringing the action forward to the mid 20th century, taking care not to compromise the words, music or Japanese setting.

Tickets, for both shows, are available from the box office on 01242 572573 or from www.everymantheatre.org.uk.

Barry Manilow fans will be beating a path to Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre which is the first venue to host a new production of Copacabana, the musical based on Manilow's hit song of the 1980s. Gemma Craven is starring as Lola, that famous showgirl.

The musical follows her adventures on her path to stardom along a bumpy trail at The Copa nightclub in the 1940s.

It runs from June 10 to 21. For tickets, call Ticketmaster on 0870 6077535.