United Kingdom

The smash-hit musical Wicked first graced the London stage in September 2006 and has been delighting British audiences ever since.Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, it charts the early history of the Wicked Witch, made famous by another renowned musical, The Wizard of Oz.Audiences discover the reasons behind the behaviour of the notorious witch, Elphaba, as they see her at school with none-other than Glinda, later to be known to Dorothy as the Good Witch of the South.Viewers will delight in the fantastical and heart-warming story about the two schoolgirls, one who is blonde and perfect and the other who is singled out - for being green.Hilarious songs such as "Popular" and "What is this Feeling" are performed alongside beautiful ballads including "I'm not that Girl" and the breathtakingly performed "Defying Gravity".From April, Harriet Thorpe will star as Madame Morrible together with the existing stars Kerry Ellis, Dianna Pilkington, Oliver Tompsett and Nigel Planer.Tickets for the show at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre are available now.

Cult cinema classic The Wicker Man gets a 2008 reincarnation this summer as part of a Scottish alternative music festival.Based on the eerie 1973 movie, the Wicker Man Festival in Dumfries and Galloway features bands, bars and a children's area complete with clowns, workshops and storytelling.Previously, the festival has attracted such big musical acts as the Buzzcocks, Sandi Thom and Fun Lovin' Criminals.Among the performers at the July 25th and 26th weekend this year are Gary Numan, the Cuban Brothers, Dodgy and Alabama 3, who will play across 120 acres of farmland.And the event wouldn't be complete without the burning of an enormous wicker man late on Saturday night.The movie of the same name tells the story of a police sergeant called to a remote island village to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. It was re-made two years ago starring Nicolas Cage.

Travel News brought to you by Eurobookings, the experts in cheap hotel bookings for all major European cities including Chester.With over 7,000 animals and 400 different species, a day at Chester Zoo offers more than a few hours of fun.Kids will love popular favourites the big cats, primates and elephants, but the charity establishment also takes pains to highlight the plight of endangered and more unusual species through fun exhibitions and talks.In addition, bosses arrange special holiday events aimed specifically at encouraging youngsters to be more aware of their world.This year these include a Zulu dancing display with a troupe from South Africa and an Olympic Challenge month in August to find out which animals are kings of the jungle when it comes to speed, sleep and other categories.If that sounds like hungry work, Cafe Tsavo offers eco-friendly food that can be eaten under the watchful eye of some of the zoo's more formidable residents, the rhinos.Other activity ideas in Chester include boarding a sightseeing boat cruise. As well as 30-minute city tours, visitors can also enjoy two-hour trips through Eaton Estate - home of the duke of Westminster - to Ironbridge.©CopyrightTreat yourself to one of the best hotels in Chester. Because you deserve a break.

The second Abstract restaurant to hit the shores of Scotland, owner Barry Larsen decided to expand his business after massive success in the Inverness branch, following a rise to fame after a TV appearance.Once known for its appearance on Channel 4's Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, the Inverness branch of the gourmet French restaurant has flourished.And now the recently opened Edinburgh eatery is proving a success with the capital's food connoisseurs.As you enter the building, you are greeted by a chic New York-style cocktail bar, which hosts live jazz music on Saturday nights. Executive chef Loic Lefebvre is the man who creates the superb selection of French-inspired dishes and has been compared to Heston Blumenthal of the Fat Duck for his originality and creativity.Choose from the extensive list of starters, fish, meat dishes and dessert, or opt for the eight course Tasting Menu.Hotly tipped dishes include roasted hand-dived scallops, a carpaccio of guinea fowl and poached wild sea bass.The Abstract name tag is drawn from the monochrome paintings by artist William Johnstone which adorn the walls, adding to the chic decor that surrounds the venue.Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares involves the celebrity chef visiting failing restaurants and helping the chefs turn business around.