Floyd on the Road: Lighthouse, Poole. Well travelled foodie and bon vivant Floyd arrives in Poole on Sunday May 22 like a breath of freshly distilled air to dispense tales from the hot end of life's skillet. There will be talk of faraway journeys, strange encounters and of course food galore. There's a question and answer session too and a free glass of wine. Telephone 01202 685222.

Starlight Express: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. Andrew Lloyd Webber's dazzling musical brings speed, spectacle and excitement to the Mayflower stage. The second longest running musical in British theatre history, it has been given a twenty first century update for this, its first ever UK tour. With state of the art technology, dazzling sets, amazing choreography and instantly recognisable music, it's a sure-fire winner. The show runs until June 18. Telephone 023 8071 1811.

Jamaica Inn: Lighthouse, Poole. Joanna Read's thrilling new stage production of Daphne du Maurier's novel Jamaica Inn arrives for a five night run at Lighthouse on Tuesday May 24. The chilling tale set in the heart of bleak Bodmin Moor during the 19th century finds young Mary Yellan at the centre of terrible goings on in a spooky inn on the Cornish coast. Runs until Saturday May 28. Telephone 01202 685222.

Cinderella on Ice: Lighthouse, Poole. The world renowned Russian Ice Stars are back as Wild Rose productions bring their latest spectacular ice show to Lighthouse for five nights from Wednesday May 25. The classic rags to riches fairytale, as you have never seen it before. Runs until Sunday May 29.

Hooked On Laughter: Bournemouth Pier Theatre. Variety entertainment is back at the Pier. After several years of indifferent audiences for traditional end of pier farce the 2005 summer season is changing tack with Hooked On Laughter, a show full of comedy, music and magic which has already made its mark at resorts like Torquay and Eastbourne. The long-running show opened earlier this week and runs initially Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only until the end of September. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

The Merry Wives of Windsor: Bridport Arts Centre. The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School brings their latest version of Shakespeare's enduringly popular comedy to Bridport on Saturday May 21. Chances to enjoy this fast-moving farce, full of good-humoured gusto and sparkling wit. Telephone 01308 424204.

Will Smith: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton One of the funniest stand-ups around Will Smith won the 2004 Time Out Award for Outstanding Contribution to Comedy and alongside Dara O'Briain made a huge impact on the Royal Variety Performance. At Forest Arts on Saturday May 21, he revisits some of his past glories. Telephone 01425 612393.

Gervase Phinn: Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre With his tales of being a school inspector in the Yorkshire Dales, Gervase Phinn evokes a happier gentler England - a world of gob-stoppers, conkers and handkerchief parachutes, light-years away from the culture of guns, knives and drugs that some paranoid scaremongers would have us believe are de rigeur in the schoolroom these days. Whatever the truth, the likeable Mr Phinn offers a Herriot style antidote to all the bad news. He's at the Pavilion on Monday May 23.

A String of Pearls: Weymouth Pavilion Innovative new theatre is on offer at Weymouth on Friday May 20 from As One Production. Described as "a play with music" A String of Pearls pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of the women of World War II through a story of three very different sisters. Telephone 01305 783225

The Screwtape Letters: Regent Centre, Christchurch. Leading Christian Theatre Company Saltmine bring their version of CS Lewis' satirical play to Christchurch on Monday May 23. Set in 1939, it finds Professor Screwtape busy in his office in Hell training junior Devils in the art of temptation. It's not an easy job. There are targets to meet. Telephone 01202 499148.

The Hiding Place: Regent Centre, Christchurch. Saltmine again, this time with a drama based on the best seller about a Dutch family offering sanctuary to Jews on the run from the Nazis during the occupation. Eventually betrayed they are sent to a concentration camp. A remarkable tale of forgiveness and faith. It plays the Regent on Tuesday May 24. Telephone 01202 499148.

MUSIC:

John Martyn: Salisbury City Hall, May 20. Brilliant but sometimes difficult, John Martyn is nonetheless always a pleasure to see in action. His genius as a singer songwriter spans more than 35 years. With huge voice and extraordinary guitar playing he has a back catalogue that contains countless classics including his latest album On the Cobbles. The loss of a leg a couple of years ago seems to have done nothing to hinder is erratic but constant progress. Telephone 01722 434434.

The Agency: Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone. When it comes to vintage soul and R&B few bands do it better than The Agency. So check 'em out at Kyps on Friday May 20. May 21 its tribute band RU40, Monday May 23 and Tuesday May 24 is set aside for the KHMC new bands showcase - your chance to spot the stars of the future and Wednesday will see the return of guitar-toting troubadour Nick "son of Roy" Harper. Good stuff as ever! Telephone 01202 748945.

Second Line Jazz Band: Bournemouth Traditional Jazz Club: Durley Hall Hotel, Bournemouth. Swedish trad jazz giants Second Line makes a return visit to Bournemouth on Monday May 23. Originally formed in Gothenburg in 1989, the band quickly established themselves as international favourites. Strangely though it took a while to break the UK market. Telephone 01202 870273.

Rory Mcleod: Ringwood Folk Club. Former circus clown and fire eater Mcleod is a one-man soul band, poet, dancer and storyteller who uses tap shoes, acapella, harmonica, guitar, finger cymbals, spoon, you name it.... To entertain in inimitable style. Catch him at Ringwood Folk Club at the Elm Tree Inn at Hightown on Tuesday May 24. A word of warning though. Unusually for the club this is a ticket only event. Telephone 01425 472516.

Zaum: Dorchester Arts Centre. Steve Harris, drummer with legendary free funk band Pinski Zoo brings his awesome group of free jazz improvisers to Dorchester on Friday May 20. Thought provoking stuff from the cutting edge. Telephone 01305 266926.

Rebecca Carrington: Me and My Cello: The Point, Eastleigh. Following her recent performance at the Forest Arts Centre, musicians, singer and comedian Rebecca Carrington travels along the coast to Eastleigh on Wednesday May 25 to tell crazy stories punctuated with even crazier impressions about life with her cello. Telephone 023 8065 2333

Bournemouth Concert Brass: Regent centre. The ever-excellent Bournemouth Concert Brass is back in action at the Regent on Sunday May 22 with a programme of summer favourites. Telephone 01202 499148.