DON’T MISS

THE BAND Theatre Royal, Nottingham, June 12-23

It is the closest Take That fans will get to seeing the pop idols anytime soon (although Gary Barlow was in Nottingham last month playing a lot of their biggest hits at the Royal Concert Hall), which is probably why this new musical has been such a box office hit.

Advance ticket sales for the tour have topped £10m and extra dates were added due to demand.

It’s essentially a new musical based on the songs of Take That and featuring boy band 5 to 5, winners of BBC TV’s Let it Shine, although the story follows a group of five girls.

It’s 1992 and they are obsessed with The Band. 25 years on and the 40-somethings are back together hoping to finally fulfil their teenage dreams of meeting their heroes.

■Bookings: trch.co.uk, 0115 989 5555

FIVE BLUE HAIRED LADIES SITTING ON A GREEN PARK BENCH Guildhall, Derby, June 20 to 23

THEY should know better but Anna, Eva, Gladys, La La and Rose like to party and the five blue haired ladies - 80 going on 18 - enjoy being outrageous and mischievous. The only two things they had in common when they first met was a green park bench and a life well lived so when they get together each day, they spend time reminiscing and sharing memories - some fond, some painful, some funny.

■Bookings: 01332 255800.