A funny thing happens on the way to the forum

The Millennium Forum has unveiled its programme for the new season and from musicals to drama, comedy to children's show, every base seems covered.

Irish musical sensation I, Keano arrives at the Forum at the end of this month.

The story of football's Captain Fantastic is relocated to Rome, where an ancient Federation sends a legion to prepare for a momentous war.

Keane, their greatest warrior, has a fierce temper and a passion for perfection which he shares with his supernatural mentor, Fergie the hair-dryer God.

And there are other familiar figures on stage. The earnest General Macartacus is aided by Quinness, who likes nothing more than building a children's hospital in his spare time.

Then there's Packie Bonnerus, an expert in using the net things that gladiators fight with.

The scene is set for the mother of all battles, when Keano arrives. He finds that the ground is too hard, the troops are partying, and the Federation has forgotten to bring any daggers or tunics.

What's Keano to do? If I tell you that He Came, He Saw ? and He Went Home, you might have some idea of the events this laugh-aloud musical portrays.

The tragedy unfolds at the Millennium, when the all-singing all-dancing cast prepare to meet their match on April 30.

Not to be missed!

The Forum is sticking with its musicals theme throughout the season - Buddy, which tells the story of rock-n-roll legend Buddy Holly is followed by The King And I, and The Lost Highway, a musical biography of Hank Williams.

Then, next month, local dramatist Irene Melaugh returns with a new comedy called Flick.

Desperate to get married, Lucy needs to get to Mexico to see Wan, the sailor she met on a night out. But her hairdressing business is about to go under. The plumber has repossessed her sinks and the only clients she has are Lola, the local 'lady of the night', who can't afford a haircut, and Mr Jones who can, but has no hair to cut.

Lucy tells her domineering mother she is going on a pilgrimage to Fatima, advertises for a helper and heads off, leaving Maurice the gay, would-be hairdresser at the helm. And that's when it all goes downhill.

There are laughs to be had, too, at the Grand Opera House in Belfast, where Alan Ayckbourn's Bedroom Farce arrives later next month.

Set in three different bedrooms throughout the course of one chaotic evening, the play is a masterclass in comic writing, as Delia and Ernest's attempt to celebrate their anniversary ends up with pilchards in bed and a midnight visit from their daughter-in-law.

Next door, Jan is leaving her bedridden husband to go to a neighbour's party, where she meets old flame Trevor in the throes of a very public fight with his wife ? Delia and Ernest's daughter-in-law. An all-star cast is headed by Colin Baker, and promises much hilarity.

Just a reminder that Owen McCafferty's Days Of Wine And Roses opens at the Lyric Theatre on April 27, while the Old Museum Arts Centre is gearing up for one of its most important openings of the season.

Ransom Productions makes a welcome return with the Irish premiere of This Piece Of Earth, a love story written by Richard Dormer.

Billed as a heartbreaking tale, This Piece of Earth is set in Ballycastle during the Famine, and centres around John and Maeve who are struggling to survive.

This important new work opens at OMAC on April 18, and Ransom has arranged a series of after-show discussions during its run. For more information, contact OMAC on 9023 3332.