EVE Ensler's sometimes hilarious , sometimes poignant study of female sexuality The Vagina Monologues arrives at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre Monday (Oct 18). Based on interviews with a hugely diverse group of women - from a Long Island antiques dealer to a Bosnian refugee - it explores humour, power, pain outrage and excitement. Sarah Greene, Kim Appleby and Lucy Speed are the latest trio of actresses and entertainers to take the stage in this long-running work. Telephone 0870 111 3000

OUTSPOKEN and sometimes often outrageous Aussie funnyman Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson makes a return visit to the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Tuesday (Oct 19) with his X-rated stand-up show. Be warned where Wilson comes from men are often drunk, women are too and Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport is a love song.0870 111 3000.

WRITTEN nearly 200 years ago by Mary Shelley when she was a mere 18-years-old, Frankenstein is possibly the world's greatest tale of horror and humanity. The latest stage production of this ultimate chiller, which explores the perils of trying to control nature, continues its run at The Nuffield Theatre at Southampton this week. Directed by Nuffield artistic director Patrick Sandford, it runs until Saturday (Oct 16). Theatre goers might also like to visit Shelley's grave in Bournemouth's St Peter's Churchyard. Telephone 023 8067 1771.

ACTOR turned playwright Simon Williams stars in his own latest comedy Nobody's Fool at Lighthouse at Poole next week. The play focuses on a TV journalist determined to scoop a major story when she discovers an extraordinary secret about the nation's favourite Queen of romantic fiction. Telephone 01202 685222.

ANOTHER classic is being staged at Salisbury Playhouse where in a co-production with Nottingham Playhouse they are presenting a new version of that great Sherlock Holmes story The Hound of the Baskervilles. Adapted for the stage by Clive Francis, Conan Doyle's spine-tingling melodrama plays Salisbury until Saturday (Oct 23). Telephone 01722 320333.

GOODNIGHTS entertainment bring Louise Roche's bittersweet drama Girls Night back to the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Saturday (Oct 16). It tells the story of five very different women who, amid tears and laughter, re-live their past during a wild reunion at a karaoke club. Telephone 01202 499148.

MOTHER and daughter poets Tinker Mather and Greta Stoddart appear at the Poetry caf at Dorchester on Friday (Oct 15). Greta, a former actress, and her mum Tinker both began writing 10 years ago, they won the Exeter Prize in consecutive years and are now both full-time published poets. This is their first joint venture. There will also be a pre-reading poetry surgery led by Greta and an open mic spot for budding local writers. This must be booked in advance though. Telephone 01305 266926.

COMEDY comes to The Point in Eastleigh on Sunday (Oct 17) when Jongleurs on the Road arrives in town with humour from Bennett Aaron, Simon B. Cotter, Sean Meo and compere Rudi Lickwood. Telephone 023 8065 2333. THOSE flamboyant darlings of the festival scene The Scissor Sisters strut into Bournemouth on Friday (Oct 15) for their long-awaited gig at the Bournemouth International Centre. Anna Matronic and the boys cut their musical teeth in the scuzzy alternative clubs of their native New York City but it wasn't until they arrived on these shores a few short months ago that things really took off for them. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

THE Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will reunited with their former principal conductor Andrew Litton at Lighthouse in Poole on Wednesday (Oct 20) when the New Yorker leads them in an evening of American, English and French music. The programme includes Ive's Three Places in New England, Elgar's Sea Pictures and Saint-Saens Symphony No 3. Telephone 01202 685222.

VETERAN clarinet wizard Acker Bilk is back in town playing the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Friday (Oct 15) with his Paramount Jazz Band. Instantly recognisable with his trademark bowler hat and striped waistcoat, Bilk originally found fame more than 40 years ago when he became the first artist to achieve a simultaneous number one in the UK and USA with his signature tune Stranger On The Shore. Telephone 01202 499148.

AMERICAN singer songwriter Gene Pitney not only enjoyed a string of huge pop hits back in the sixties but also wrote a series of classic numbers for other artists. Still going strong after more than 40 years in the business the man with the big voice and an ear for a hit melody brings his latest UK tour to The Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Wednesday (Oct 20). Telephone 0870 111 3000.

WORLD music comes to the New Forest on Saturday (Oct 16) when the beguiling artist known simply as Celloman brings his funky but sensuous sound to the Forest Arts Centre at New Milton. His music which has been described as "a deliciously maverick creation" is born of classical training combined with a wild streak ingrained by the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra and a period playing in a various bands in the middle east. Telephone 01425 612393.

LEADING British blues guitarist Matt Schofield brings his innovative blend of blues, jazz and funk to Dorchester Arts centre on Saturday (Oct 16). He will be leading a trio which also features Jonny Henderson an Hammond and Evan Jenkins on drums. Telephone 01305 266926.

ORIGINAL Jazz Warrior, the double bass toting bandleader Gary Crosby brings his 11 piece outfit Jazz Jamaica to the Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on Saturday (Oct 16) for a feelgood celebration of Caribbean rhythms. A chance to enjoy some great musicians playing a fusion of mento, ska, reggae, jazz and Jamaican folksong with the distinctive sound of Motown. Telephone 023 8059 5151.

THE Leopold String Trio play Southampton's Turner Sims Concert Hall on Sunday (Oct 17) with a programme of music by Beethoven Reger and Bach. The trio features Marianne Thorson on violin, Lawrence Power on viola and Kate Gould on cello. Telephone 023 8059 5151.

LEADING contemporary jazz musician the acoustic and electric bass player Avishai Cohen returns to Bridport Arts Centre on Thursday (October 21) for an evening of finely crafted Jazz and Latin songs based on Arabic melodies. Telephone 01308 424204.

IT'LL BE yesterday once more as the legendary sound of American songstress Karen Carpenter is celebrating at Salisbury City Hall on Wednesday (Oct 20). The Karen Carpenter Experience features singer Karen Barnett and, bizarrely, Norman Wisdom impressionist Glen M. Wood. Telephone 01722 327676.

THERE'S the usual fascinating mixed bag of music on offer at Mr Kyps in Lower Parkstone over the next few days. On Friday (Oct 15) sees a return visit by The Rat Pack with their celebration of Sinatra era swing numbers while tomorrow night heavy rocking tribute favourites Dirty DC are back in action on the Kyps stage. On Wednesday (Oct 20) there's a celebration of the golden era of rock 'n' roll and rockabilly with Rockin' The Joint and on Thursday (Oct 21) Atlanta bluesman Bill Sheffield returns with Dave Saunders and support act Dino Baptiste. Telephone 01202 748945.