Milk Snatcher, The Thatcher Drawings, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, opens on Saturday and runs until May 31

AN exhibition featuring Gerald Scarfe’s drawings of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher. This previously unexhibited body of work by the renowned satirical cartoonist and illustrator spans a period of 22 years, from the Iron Lady’s days as a member of the shadow cabinet through to her leadership of the Conservative Party, her tenure as PM and ultimately, her political decline.

The cartoons are vivid reminders of the Winter of Discontent and Miners’ Strike, through to the international stage with the Falklands War, the end of the Cold War and the close relations Maggie struck up with the US.

In colourful pen and ink, Thatcher is varyingly depicted as cunning, razor sharp and perversely sexual. They depict Thatcher in multiple guises as a shark, a chicken and an axe. Scarfe followed Thatcher’s political career with unprecedented scrutiny, pulling no punches as he exposes all the strengths and weaknesses, and seeing the original drawings allows the opportunity to examine the relationship between undoubtedly the finest political cartoonist of our time and one of the best known political figures of the 20th century.

These often shocking images depict Thatcher as cunning, ruthless, mean spirited, vain, bullying, razor sharp, terrifying and sexy. This exhibition will demonstrate the enormous contribution Gerald Scarfe has made to both political commentary and graphic art. Tel 01833 690606.

Birdsong, Darlington Civic Theatre on Saturday, 7.30pm

BIRDSONG is the hit, critically acclaimed stage show based on the best-selling novel by Sebastian Faulks. In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground.

Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him. A mesmerising story of love and courage, set both before and during the Great War. Tel 01325 486555.

Darlington Music Society presents Alexandra Lomeiko and Olga Sitkovetsky, Central Hall, Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Saturday, 7.30pm

ALEXANDRA Lomeiko was born in 1991 and in 1996 she began violin lessons with Natalia Lomeiko Snr in New Zealand. In 2006, Alexandra moved to London where she has been very active both as a soloist and a chamber musician, performing in many prestigious venues and being broadcast on BBC Radio 3. She has studied at the Purcell School of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is currently completing her postgraduate degree at the Royal College of Music.

Russian pianist Olga Sitkovetsky is one of the world's leading specialists in the field of instrumental accompaniment. She won numerous prizes and awards for best accompaniment at many international competitions. In 1991, Olga moved to England at the invitation of Lord Menuhin. Tickets on 01325 388406.

Classical Duo in Concert, The Forum, Northallerton on Saturday, 7.30pm

EXCITING new duo, Jeremy Harbottle and Jenny Hesford, are to play the beautiful and well known Arpeggione Sonata by Schubert, Beethoven’s 7 Variations on Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen from Mozart’s Magic Flute, and Ten American Etudes by rock guitarist Aaron Minsky, as well as numerous other well-known classics. Tickets on 01609 776230.

Anton and Erin, Barbican, York, on Saturday, 3pm and 7pm

JOIN the UK’s favourite dance couple as they combine the sophisticated elegance of their quick step, foxtrot, tango and waltz with the showbiz razzmatazz of hits and steps from stage and screen. Featuring classic hits That’s Entertainment, True Love, Make ‘Em Laugh, Steppin’ Out With My Baby and There’s No Business Like Show Business. Joining Anton du Beke and Erin Boag will be Richard Balcombe as conductor, with Lance Ellington the star vocalist, six world-class ensemble dancers plus the full 25-piece London Concert Orchestra live on stage. Tel 0844 854 2757.