The world's longest-running musical returns to Bradford Alhambra next month after finishing in the West End.

Cats spent 21 record breaking years in London where the musical had 9000 performances in front of eight million people.

The musical has made $2 billion worldwide through performances in 11 languages to 50 million people in 300 cities.

The show's best-known song, Memory, has had almost 53,000 plays on radio and television in the UK and two million in the USA.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical sees the Alhambra transformed into a junkyard where cats meet to tell of their lives.

The all-singing all-dancing spectacular is presented from Tuesday to July 19. Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre in the town hall, or by phoning 01274 432000.

nBridleways and footpaths in the Yorkshire Dales are celebrated in a temporary exhibition until July 6 at the Craven Museum, town hall, Skipton.

A family fun day on July 19 will mark National Archaeology Day with free activities including wax writing, pottery and mosaics, (10.30am-12.30pm & 1-4pm).

Telephone 01756 706407.

nAddingham Amateur Dramatic Society, which recently celebrated its 25th birthday, is seeking new members.

Enthusiasm and commitment but not necessarily experience is needed for the spring and autumn productions.

There are also informal play readings at Addingham Memorial Hall on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm.

Phone chairman Mick Aldridge on 01943 830110 or simply go along.

nAll the world is a stage for an open-air Shakespeare company that makes a welcome return to West Yorkshire this summer.

The RJ Williamson company is back at Kirkstall Abbey Cloisters once again to stage the 9th Leeds Shakespeare Festival.

Last year audiences were treated to a fine performance by dancer Wayne Sleep, pre-rat and waffle torture on I'm A Celebrity, as Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

This year the versatile company will be performing cross-dressing romantic comedy As You Like It and tragedy Hamlet on alternate days.

Head honcho Robert Williamson will take the lead role as the enigmatic Dane and Touchstone, with star names set to be announced later this year.

If previous years are anything to go by, the only thing that can spoil a cordial night's entertainment is the great British weather.

The festival runs from August 19-September 7 and tickets can be booked on 0113 2243801/2. More information can be obtained by logging onto www.openairshakespeare.com

nCommunity is the title of an exhibition at Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax, featuring leading Yorkshire artists.

Derek Hyatt, Tom Wood, Jake Attree, Marie Walker-Last, are among 50 artists who donated work to be auctioned for the Samaritans.

Inmates from HM Prison Leeds have also submitted paintings to the June 28-July 12 display, open daily 10am-5pm.

Phone 01422 254054.

nOpen-air theatre at Harewood House this summer takes in Shakespeare, the Arabian Nights and a children's classic.

Romeo and Juliet is performed on July 3 (1pm) and 4 (7.30pm), Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves on July 11-13 and The Wind in the Willows on August 20-24.

There are matinee and evening performances of all three shows. Book tickets on 0113 218 1000.

nThe Phoenix of Leodis is a new community production portraying the rich and varied heritage of Quarry Hill in Leeds.

More than 120 amateur actors aged over 55 will use song, dance and drama to detail the lives of many historical inhabitants.

The show is at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, which stands on Quarry Hill, on July 16 (2pm & 7.30pm). Book on 0113 213-7700.

nThe sound of music and the sight of stars begins next month at St George's Hall in Bradford.

Patrick Moore gives an illustrated lecture about Mars, including its conditions, manned missions and eventual colonies, on Tuesday at 7.30pm.

Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music, in which the audience dresses up and sings along to the film, is next Friday at 7.30pm.

Book tickets at Keighley Information Centre at telephone 01274 432000.

nThe Forest is a new mini-opera portraying an elemental love story, at Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Local performers will present the "simple, symbolic and lyrical" story written by Daniel Bath and Ian Emberson.

See it at the town's Little Theatre on Monday (8.30pm). Book £6/£4 tickets on 01422 842684.