No teacups were harmed in the making of this ballet

It's a tale as old as time. But how old is time? Now we've answered none of life's existential questions, can we talk about the darkly gothic production of Beauty and the Beast, opening on Feb 19? As this is a Birmingham Royal Ballet affair, you already know the dancing is going to be enchanting and powerful and gravity-defying in all the right places — and you don't need us to remind you of the story — but the masks in this particular production additionally warrant their own fanbase. Expect a stageful of animals rather than the teacups and household objects of the Disney movie, including the hauntingly human Beast’s mask, designed by Robert Allsopp, who worked on X-Men and Doctor Who. And don't feel sad about the lack of singing candelabra, there's a completely incredible magical chair to keep 'em peeled for. Until March 2 at the Hippodrome. Tickets (from £21)