MISCHIEVOUS monkeys and a topsy-turvy circus are coming to Dorset this February half-term.

Live family theatre will be at a Dorset village hall near you this February half-term courtesy of Artsreach.

Back in October more than 300 children and their families enjoyed a range of fun live theatre as it toured across Dorset to village venues through Artsreach.

With a mischievous monkey, a tospy-turvy circus and stunning puppets plus workshop opportunities, another two productions will be visiting 11 venues within the county.

Angel Heart Theatre presents Cirkus Spectakular. Led by the mysterious Baba Kalina, the circus is a colourful, topsy-turvy world.

But for one little boy it becomes more than just a magical show: Cirkus Spectakular offers Pavlo the chance to prove himself and at last to feel like he belongs. This production is recommended for those aged four and over.

Cirkus Spectakular is at Sandford Orcas Village Hall on Sunday, February 15 at 4pm. Call 01963 220354 for tickets. It is at Thorncombe Village Hall on Monday, February 16 at 4pm. Call 01460 30994 for tickets. The Hazelbury Bryan Village Hall performance is on Tuesday, February 17 at 10.30am. Call 01258 817212.

The performance at Sturminster Marshall Village Hall is on Tuesday, February 17 at 4pm. Call 01258 857019 for details. On Wednesday, February 18, the performance is at Cerne Abbas Village Hall at 10:30am. Call 01300 341332.

On Wednesday, February 18, the performance is at Durweston Village Hall at 4pm. Call 01258 453170.

And on Thursday, February 19, the performance is at 10.30am at Gillingham School Arts Theatre. Call 01747 833844 for tickets.

The second show this half-term is Puppetcraft with Monkey!

Using stunning string puppets, antique shadow puppets and live music, leading UK puppeteers PuppetCraft tell the story of the birth and comic escapades of the much loved trickster and super-hero Monkey.

Hatched from a stone egg, the mischievous Monkey can fly on a cloud, turn invisible and transform into anything!

Monkey is the main comic character in China’s great classic story Journey to the West, and is still one of the world’s most popular folk heroes, appearing in countless adaptations, from Chinese opera to comic books, even after hundreds of years.

PuppetCraft’s director, John Roberts, trained in China for six months, learning about a puppet tradition that goes back 3,000 years.

This show is recommended for those aged four or above. Lantern making workshops are also available from Thursday to Saturday. Enquire when booking.

Monkey is at Morden Village Hall on Thursday, February 19 at 4pm. Call 01929 459431 for tickets.

On Friday, February 20, it is at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton at 4pm. Call 01258 475137.

On Saturday, February 21, the show comes to Piddle Valley First School at 4pm. Call 07775 902516 for tickets.

And on Sunday, February 22, it’s at Evershot Village Hall at 4pm. Call 01935 83580.