Big shows in small spaces, Creative Arts East’s new Village Stage season has any number of forthcoming attractions to tempt you out on chilly nights.

Creative Arts East's Village Stage Season has a tempting mix of colourful drama and delicious rhythms designed to warm things up for autumn at the venues at the smaller towns and villages in our region.

t It's the bold and the shimmering sound of the Bollywood Brass Band that kicks things off at the Carnegie Room, Thetford, September 27 (7.30pm, 01842 766018) and Sheringham High School on September 28 (7pm, 01263 822363 ext 3411). The show features funky drummers and a hot six-piece horn section against a backdrop of video projections from Bollywood movies brought to life through the colourful costumes and dance moves of this award-winning band.t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26. Door: adults £8.50, children/concs £7.50, family £30

t The international theme continues as part of Black History Month in October with words and music blending tales of the Caribbean with folk songs and tunes from our own traditions at the hands of storyteller and an musician. Jan Blake and Luke Daniels will treat audiences at Wood Norton Village Hall on October 3 (8pm, 01362 683731/01362 683291) and Hockwold Village Hall on October 4 (7.30pm 01842 82771, 01842 827268, P01842 828189) to the tale of The Irishman Who Cheated Death in Tobago and teach a crash course, Learn the Tin Whistle in Three and a Half Minutes. t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26. Door: adults £8.50, children/concs £7.50, family £30

t Celebrated actor Pip Utton is the next to step on to Village Stage. His one-man show, Chaplin, goes behind the public persona of the world's greatest movie clown and brings the man to vivid life. See it on October 9 (7.30pm, Wymondham High School Studio Theatre 01953 713108 or The Book Fountain, Whartons Court, Wymondham). October 10 (7.30pm, Granary Theatre, Wells, 01328 710193). October 11 (7.30pm, Kettlestone Village Hall, 01328 878200 or 01328 878473).t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26. Door: adults £8.50, children/concs £7.50, family £30

t Half-term brings the magic of theatre for children with two old favourites re-invented by Freehand Theatre and Cornelius and Jones. Freehand create a memorable and reassuring journey through the woods with its delightful use of puppetry, colour and music. You can see Little Red… You Know Who? on October 28 at (2.30pm, Watlington Village Hall, 01553 810605 or 01553 810732) and on October 29 to (2.30pm, Fleggburgh Village Hall 01493 748548 01493 369486).

t Adventure, fantasy, romance, a world full of toys, sweets and Christmas are the hallmarks of the Nutcracker brought to life by Cornelius and Jones. Suitable for threes and over, you can see the show on October 28 at (2pm, Freckenham Village Hall, 01638 720111 or 01638 720635). The next day you can see it at (11am, Hempnall Village Hall, 01508 499012 or 01508 498327) t Advance: adults £4, children/concs £3, family £12. Door: adults £5, children/concs £4, family £16

t Rogue Theatre make a welcome return with Pathway to the Red Sun, a piece inspired by the story of Madame Butterfly which mixes fantasy and narrative with a visual style and high pathos. See it on November 14 at (7.30pm, Studio Theatre, Wymondham High School, 01953 713108 or Book Fountain, Whartons Court, Wymondham). The next day it moves to (8pm, Frettenham Village Hall, 01603 737883 or 01263 732136)t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26. Door: adults £8.50, children/concs £7.50, family £30

t Melodic duo Ember's music centres round the blending of Welsh songstress Emily Williams and Rebecca Sullivan from Utah, USA, who plays guitar and harmonica in troubadour style. See them on November 20 at (7.30pm, Welborne Village Hall, 01362 858770 or 01362 850327). On November 21 the duo play (7.30pm, Whissonsett Village Hall. 01328 700010 or 01328 700288 or Whissonsett Post Office). On Saturday November 23 you can see them at (7.30pm Freckenham Village Hall. 01638 720118 or 01638 720111). t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26

t The musical mood swings from Puccini to Presley with the Opera Dudes, a duo who perform some of the world's most romantic music, in their own arrangements. See them on December 4 at (7.30pm, Brooke Parish Hall, 01508 558526 or 01508 550273 or 01508 550719 or Brooke Post Office). On Friday December 5 they move to (7.30pm Baconsthorpe Village Hall, 01263 577539 or 01263 577787) and on December 6 to (7.30pm, Hindolveston Village Hall, 01263 860583 or 01263 860257).t Advance: adults £7.50, children/concs £6.50, family £26. Door: adults £8.50, children/concs £7.50, family £30

t A post-Christmas treat is Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company's Hansel and Gretel which can be seen at Sheringham on January 7 and Foulsham on January 8. More details later.