Dramatic Christmas for children

The Ark, the cultural centre for children in Dublin's Temple Bar, has two shows coming up for Christmas. The first is a staged reading by Roddy Doyle of his new book for children, Rover Saves Christmas. With a set by artist Robert Ballagh, the performance is suitable for seven to 11-year-olds. The second show, for children aged between four and seven, is called Pass the Parcel. Set in a dusty, old office where lost parcels end up, it's written by Frances Kay and has music by Nico Brown. Rover Saves Christmas will be performed this Saturday at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday at 1 p.m. Pass the Parcel is on December 15th and 16th at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and December 27th to 30th and January 2nd to 6th at the same times (tel: (01) 670 7788).