Kitchen Zoo’s ‘The Tortoise & The Hare’ promises all manner of enchantments for children under six. It’s playing all over the north-east in August.

Kitchen Zoo – a north-east troupe – are renowned for their playful and vibrant theatrical shows for young audiences, and they’ve scored much praise for past shows such as ‘The Three Bears’ and ‘The Tin Foil Astronaut’. For their latest they’re travelling around with a suitcase of stories, spinning yarns and telling tales. But what will come out of the suitcase today? (Spoiler: It’s the tortoise and the hare.) This interactive story will feature live music, puppetry and tales you thought you knew (BUT DIDN’T!) DP

The Tortoise and the Hare: 30-31 July, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle; 2-3 August, Alnwick Playhouse; 4-6 August, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham; 8 & 15 August, Town Hall, Bishop Auckland; 9 August, Gala, Durham; 10-13 August, ARC, Stockton; 16 August, Arts Centre, Washington; 17 August, The Exchange, North Shields. kitchenzootheatre.com