ROWNTREE Players present two plays in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre spring season in York.

John Chapman and Dave Freeman's comedy Key For Two will be staged from February 27 to March 1, and Oscar Wilde's comedy of social manners, The Importance Of Being Earnest from May 1 to 3. All performances start at 7.30pm and tickets are on sale at the York Theatre Royal box office, tel 01904 623568.

Musicals have a strong presence in the season ahead.

Shipton Theatre Company performs Scott Garnham's production of The Wiz, essentially The Wizard Of Oz with a modern twist, from March 5 to 8 at 7.30pm plus a 2.30pm Saturday matinee (tickets 01904 764429 or 623568).

New Earswick Musical Society's spring production is Sandy Wilson's Divorce Me Darling, featuring all the characters from The Boyfriend ten years on, April 2 to 5 at 7.30pm (tickets 01904 768182 or 623568).

And 76 trombones lead the big parade in Flying Ducks Youth Theatre's show, Meredith Wilson's The Music Man, April 10 to 12 at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm Saturday matinee (tickets 01904 761400 or 623568).

Two dance shows pop up in quick succession. Evelyn Witcombe's pupils present Now This Is Dance, in aid of York Against Cancer and St Andrew's Church Hall Fund, from March 19 to 22 at 7.15pm (tickets from Ticket World, 01904 644194), and the City of York Arts Service is overseeing the Happening Moves show on March 24 at 7.30pm (tickets 01904 554660 or educationarts@york.gov.uk).

This performance is the result of a collaboration between Phoenix Dance, from Leeds, and youngsters from four York schools: Archbishop Holgate, Bootham School, Burnholme Community College and Oaklands School.

Director John Cooper adds his music to Willis Hall's stage adaptation of The Water Babies for a March 13 to 15 production by Stagecoach Youth Theatre, York. Performances are at 7.30pm, plus 2.30pm on the last day; box office, 01904 623568.

Updated: 12:23 Friday, February 07, 2003