DEATHWATCH

Ciel’s production of Jean Genet’s play at The Old Operating Theatre, 9a St Thomas’s Street, Southwark, London SE1, starts at 7.30pm. Plus, on December 13, 2.30pm, “Dickens -spirits of Christmas past”, an evocation, in the only surviving Victorian operating theatre, of Christmas lore, as seen through the eyes of Charles Dickens. Details: 0171 955 4791.

UNTIL DECEMBER 20

NIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

To tie in with its new exhibition, “A hard day’s night” (about London Transport’s behind-the-scenes operations), the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, London WC2, is recreating “lantern lectures” from the 1930s and running storytelling performances. Other events include: a music and craft workshop and a colouring and collage-making workshop. Details: 0171379 6344.

UNTIL JANUARY 3

TOY STORIES

A giant Advent calendar the past 50 years’ best-selling toys is the focus of this display at the London Museum, London Wall, EC2. Details: 0171 600 0807 (24 hours); 0171 600 3699.

UNTIL JANUARY 3

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE TRENCHES

Visit the trench experience at the Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1, and look at Christmas cards designed by WW1 soldiers. Then imagine you are in the trenches and design a card to send home. Suitable for all children. The best entry will win Pounds 50 to spend in the museum shop. Details: 0171 416 5310.

UNTIL JANUARY 3

CHRISTMAS PAST

Celebrate a Regency Christmas at the Geffrye Museum, Kingsland Road, London E2, with its historically accurate decorations. Details of related events from: 0171 739 9893.

UNTIL JANUARY 3

CHRISTMAS AT GREENWICH

A midwinter masque, a magic lantern show and stories about when the Thames froze over from King Frost, a festive character from the Stuart Court, are among Yuletide events at the London Maritime Museum, London SE10. They are aimed at anyone aged seven-plus. Details: 0181 858 4422.

DECEMBER 12,20,21

CHRISTMAS IN BRIGHTON

At the Brighton Museums, families can celebrate a Victorian Christmas, a royal Regency Christmas and a drop-in fun day, where they can make decorations, crackers, elf ears and fairy wands. Details: 01273 292797.

DECEMBER

THE CHRISTMAS LECTURES

The Royal Institution lectures for young people, to be given by Professor Nancy Rothwell, Manchester University, on “Staying alive: the body in balance”, will be transmitted by the BBC over Christmas. Topics include: fats and figures; how we keep warm and stay cool; and how do our bodies keep time? Details: 0171 409 2992 or Web site: www.ri.ac.ukChristmas JANUARY 7 EXCURSIONS 99

School group leaders can get new ideas for days out from more than 230 exhibitors ranging from major new millennium projects to regional and West End theatre at Olympia 2, Kensington, London SW7, 10am-4pm. Details: Simon Shimbart, Southern Tourist Board, 01703 620006.

FEBRUARY 1, 3, 6, 10

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS

Professional storyteller and children’s author, Bob Hartman, will show teachers, children’s workers, parents and other interested adults, how to create characters and plot, involve children in stories and how to end a story at these workshops organised by Lion Publishing. Respective venues are: Oxford (evening); Huddersfeild (8pm); Birmingham (10.30am); and Richmond, west London (evening). Details: Philip Henderson, 01865 747550; or visit the Lion website at www.lion-publishing.co.uk