A brand-new fusion of martial arts, multi-media images, costumes and live music comes to the Alban Arena next Saturday, July 26.

Direct from China, Immortal Chi – the story of a tai chi master and his ultimate challenge – can be seen at at 7.30pm.

The show has been created by the team behind the renowned Shaolin Warriors and incorporates traditional combat techniques and weapons, acrobatics, authentic Chinese instruments and Chinese drum girls, all with a contemporary feel.

Tickets are £21, £19 and £16 with a family ticket £64, available from the Arena box office on 01727 844488 or online at www.alban-arena.co.uk

n A busy week of film beckons at the Arena.

First off is Frank which is being shown at 7.30pm next Tuesday, July 22.

It is an offbeat comedy about a young wannabe musician, Jon (Domhnall Gleeson), who finds himself biting off more than he can chew when he joins an avant-garde pop band led by the mysterious and enigmatic Frank (Michael Fassbender), based on Frank Sidebottom, a musical genius who hides himself inside a large papier-mache head, and his terrifying band mate, Clara (Maggie Gyllenhaal).

Grace of Monaco is being shown at 1.30pm and 7.30pm next Wednesday, July 23.

Set in 1962, six years after her celebrated wedding to Prince Rainier, Grace of Monaco is a snapshot of a year in the life of the twentieth century’s most iconic Princess.

Grace (Nicole Kidman) strives to reconcile her past and her present, a longing to return to the big screen with her new-found role as a mother of two, monarch of a European principality, and wife to Prince Rainier III (Tim Roth).

A Thousand Times Goodnight (15) is being shown at 7.30pm the following night, Thursday, July 24.

Juliette Binoche stars as Rebecca, one of the world’s top war photojournalists but also a wife and mother who leaves behind a husband and two young daughters every time she travels to a new combat zone.

After a near-death experience whilst studying the rituals of a female suicide bomber, husband Marcus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) gives her an ultimatum – give up her dangerous job or lose the family she relies on.

The final film of the week is Edge of Tomorrow at 7.30pm next Friday, July 25.

It stars Tom Cruise as an officer who is killed within minutes when an alien race hits the Earth in a relentless assault. But he finds himself mysteriously thrown into a time loop, forcing him to live out the same brutal attack over and over, fighting and dying again.

Wth each battle, he becomes able to engage the adversaries with increasing skill.

Tickets for film matinees are £5 and for evenings they are £7 or £5 concessions.