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 21st 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.

An Inspector Calls: Lighthouse, Poole. Epic staging, raw emotion and a sweeping score are just some of the ingredients that have made the National Theatre's award-laden production of the JB Priestley classic An Inspector Calls a smash hit all over the world. Stephen Daldrey directs this suspenseful tale of what happens when Inspector Goole makes an unexpected house call at the home of the wealthy Birling family. The play which opened at Lighthouse on Tuesday runs until Saturday May 30. Telephone 01202 685222.

Jack Dee: Bournemouth Pavilion Professional grouch Jack Dee brings his dour but hilarious view of life to the Pavilion on Wednesday May 18 as his long-running UK tour arrives in Bournemouth. Deadpan and dead miserable, Dee is practically back on home ground. In another life he worked as a waiter in Winchester famously punishing difficult customers by delivering finger-bowls full of scalding water to their tables. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

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 before switching to five nights a week at the height of the season. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

The Barron Knights: Bournemouth Pier Theatre Veteran pop world jokers The Barron Knights bring their latest show Bop 'Til We Drop to the pier on Saturday May 14. The first of a series of one off productions at the theatre over the summer months. Telephone 0870 111 3000

Hatstand Opera: The Tank Museum, Blandford An unusual venue perhaps but touring Opera company Hatstand specialise in venue-themed shows and their production Tanks, Tantrums and Tiaras should go with a bang when it plays the Tank Museum on Friday May 13. Telephone: 01929 405096 ext 212.

Hedda Gabler: Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. Following last year's highly successful production of A Doll's House, Theatrebabel are back at The Nuffield with their version of Henrik Ibsen's searingly brilliant Hedda Gabler. The play runs until Saturday May 14. Telephone 023 8067 1771.

Cincinatti/The Broccoli Incident: The Point, Eastleigh A New York double bill plays The Point on May 14 with Cincinatti - a play focusing on a university lecturer battling with her demons - and The Broccoli Incident - a short comic monologue which explores identity, reality and er broccoli. Telephone 023 8065 2333.

Ian Macmillan: The Big Family Show: Lighthouse, Poole People's poet Ian Macmillan - Poet in residence to Barnsley Football Club and Humberside Police - brings his Family Show to Lighthouse on Wednesday (May 18) with a evening of verse and laughter suitable for people of all ages. Telephone 01202 685222.

High Society: The Musical: Bournemouth Pavilion Enjoy a spot of old fashioned glamour with this stage version of Cole Porter's High Society which completes a six night run at the Pavilion on Saturday May 14. Telephone 0870 111 3000

A String of Pearls: Dorchester Arts Centre Innovative new theatre is on offer at Dorchester on Friday May 13 from As One Productions. 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 266926.

MUSIC:

BSO: Charlie Chaplin's City Lights: Lighthouse, Poole Principal conductor Marin Alsop and the BSO are back in action at Lighthouse in Poole on May 13 to conduct Chaplin's own score to his classic silent movie City Lights during a full-screen showing of the film which introduced his Little Tramp to the world. Telephone 01202 685222.

Fairport Convention: Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone. English folk-rock legends Fairport Convention play Kyps May 13. Sporting an awesome history dating back more than 35 years and taking in former members like Richard Thompson, Ashley Hutchings, Sandy Denny and Dave Swarbrick to name but a few, the band still features founder member Simon Nicol, long-time stalwart Dave Pegg plus Ric Sanders, Chris Leslie and Gerry Conway. On Saturday May 14 Kyps changes style with a return visit from Aerosmith tribute band The Toxic Twins. Telephone 01202 748945.

Dave Kelly & Christine Collister : The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne These two hugely respected artists - blues guitar genius Kelly and singer Collister - last worked together more than 10 years ago so its great that they have decided to hit the road again for this brief tour which plays Wimborne May 14. Blues Band guitarist kelly has worked with people like Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Son House & Muddy Waters. While Collister to working with Richard Thompson and Clive Gregson. Telephone 01202 885566.

Rebecca Carrington: Me and My Cello: Forest Arts, New Milton. Sassy and multi-talented Rebecca Carrington brings her own particular brand of musical comedy to Forest Arts on May 14. Watch in amazement as she does impressions of everyone from Madonna and Pavarotti to a set of bagpipes. Fun for all the family. Telephone 01425 612393.

The Backbeat Beatles: Bournemouth Pavilion Tribute is paid to the musical legacy of the Fab Four, the band who changed the face of popular music back in the sixties. Tellingly more than 40 years after the Merseyside beat boom first swept the world, The Beatles legend looms as large as ever. Telephone 0870 111 3000

Piano Recital; Bournemouth Pavilion. Pianist Duncan Honeybourne gives an afternoon recital of popular classics on the Steinway Grand at the Pavilion on Sunday May 15. Telephone 0870 111 3000

Last Night's Fun: Bridport Arts Centre Bristling Irish music from this concertina, guitar and uilleann pipe toting trio who play with a compelling mixture of attitude and humour. They are at Bridport on May 13. Telephone 01308 424204.

Taste of the Shadows: Shaftsbury Art Centre Tribute band Taste of the Shadows play music from the sixties at Shaftsbury Arts Centre May 14. There's even a prize for the "best dressed sixties groover" Telephone 01747 854321.

Forever In Blue Jeans: Regent Centre, Christchurch A 10 strong cast of singers, dancers and musicians perform high energy hits from yesterday. The show which plays the Regent Centre on Saturday May 14, includes numbers that range from Jump Jive and Elvis hits to chart-busters from The Beatles and the Stones. Telephone 01202 499148.