WICKED Fish theatre company present a monumental three day Disability Arts festival at The Citadel this week.

The event, on 16, 17 and 18 September coincides will be the first time that three Disability Theatre companies have played consecutive days at the St Helens Arts Centre.

Bringing Disability Arts into mainstream theatre, the event has been organised to celebrate European Disability Theatre and has been funded by the Culture 2000 programme of the European Commission.

Tonight (16 September) kicks off with 'the Lottery', a cautionary tale for the 21st century featuring a heady mix of strong drink, delusions of grandeur and spectacular downfalls.

Femerac Theatre Company perform 'L'Altra Mirada/Look Twice' on Friday 17 September, highlighting the need to observe different perspectives and not judge by appearances.

Finally on Saturday 18 September, Crinabel Theatre Company present 'Birthday', a touching performance based on a Portuguese poem by Fernando Pessoa.

Tickets cost £2.50 per event or £4 for all three nights. The three-day ticket also enables audience members to attend the buffet and drinks available after each performance.

This weekend also sees the welcome return of the Nuffield Theatre Company to The Citadel with their performance of the children's classic 'Arabel's Raven' on Sunday 19 September.

Aimed at ages 5 to 10, Arabel's Raven is based on Joan Aiken's book, featuring a young girl and her best friend, the mischievous, perpetually hungry raven called Mortimer.

After performing Mr Benn to a packed out audience last season, Nuffield Theatre will have children and grown ups glued to their seat once again.

For more details on any of these performances telephone the Citadel box office on 01744 735436.