ALTHOUGH you'd never have thought it possible back in the days when he was the perma-grinning front man of Scottish pop darlings Wet Wet Wet, Marti Pellow is superb as slimeball lawyer Billy Flynn in the super sassy stage musical Chicago. He's been a wow in the part in the West End, on Broadway and now at Southampton's Mayflower Theatre. So fasten your seat belts for this sensationally syncopated tale of murder, greed, violence, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery. It sounds good, it looks good and, though its set in 1930s America it delivers a timely satire on justice and celebrity. Chicago is at the Mayflower until October 9. Telephone 023 8071 1811.

LARGER than life luvvie Brian Blessed has been putting the willies up the punters at Poole's Lighthouse this week in a new stage version of Wilkie Collin's novel The Haunted Hotel. Apart from Blessed who, in inimitable style, plays a Victorian theatrical impresario intent on acting out a strange ghost story, the play features Elizabeth Counsell from Brush Strokes and Lynette McMorrough from Crossroads. The Haunted Hotel runs until Saturday (Oct 2).

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 October 16. Theatre goers might also like to visit Shelley's grave in Bournemouth's St Peter's Churchyard. Telephone 023 8067 1771.

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 October 23. Telephone 01722 320333.

LOCAL girl made good Amanda Chennell went from Bournemouth to London's West End appearing in shows like 'Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar. On Sunday (October 3) she returns to her hometown with a special evening of entertainment at the De La Sale Theatre at St Peter's School. The evening, in which she will be joined by the Swing Unlimited Big Band and guests including old friend Earl Carpenter, currently starring in the West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, will feature a celebration of some of the greatest music ever written. Telephone 01425-276801.

FOLLOWING his success in Poole last week actor, storyteller and musician Mike Maran takes his acclaimed new stage-work Mahler: Song and Dance Man to Bridport Arts Centre on Wednesday (October 6). The piece, which is backed by a string quartet plus clarinet and accordion explores the turbulent and often surprising life of the composer Gustav Mahler. Telephone 01308 424204.

TONY McNally's multi-award winning play Masterclass which explores the world of the brilliant but difficult opera diva Maria Callas, finishes a four night run at The Regent Centre in Christchurch on Saturday (October 2). Telephone 01202 499148.

ACTOR Charles Pemberton arrives at Dorchester Arts Centre on Friday (Oct 1) to shed some fascinating light on the hot-headed genius who was William Schwenck Gilbert. Together with Sir Arthur Sullivan, Gilbert co-wrote some extremely jolly operettas but as this one-man show A Disagreeable man reveals, he could be a little bit difficult. Telephone 01305 266926.

THE Forest Arts Centre at New Milton stages a special Word Weekend over the next couple of days with a poetry workshop and an evening with author Celia Brayfield on Friday (Oct 1). On Saturday there are sessions on writing romantic fiction, sci fi, fantasy and material for the radio plus an evening with Joyce Grenfell's biographer Janie Hampton. Telephone 01425 612393.

THE Moscow Ballet - La Classique bring that perennial favourite The Sleeping Beauty to Salisbury City Hall on Saturday (October 2). The classic fairy story will of course be performed to Tchaikovsky's sumptious score. Telephone 01722 327676. IT'S quintessentially British to laugh at undergarments and you can therefore be certrain that Rosemary Hawthorne's delightful diversion The Knicker Lady which plays the Tivoli Theatre at Wimborne on Thursday (Oct 7) will be a highly entertaining affair. It takes a lkight hearted pook at pantaloons, pantalettes, divided-drawers, bloomer, bikinis, you name it. On second thoughts don't. It's not that sort of show. 01202 885566.

MUSIC:

THE latest Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra season continues with more performances featuring their principal conductor Marin Alsop. On Saturday (Oct 2) she leads them in a programme at Bournemouth's Pavilion Theatre that features music by Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms and Grieg and the talents of guest soloist Michael Roll on the piano. On Wednesday Alsop and the BSO will be back at their home concert hall at Lighthouse in Poole for a performance that includes Elgar's cello concerti featuring soloist Alisa Weilerstein, Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 and the UK premier of Collins' Tragic Overture. Telephone 0870 111 3000 (Bournemouth) or 01202 685222 (Poole).

CLASSICAL guitar virtuoso John Williams is special guest performer at the opening concert of the Turner Sims Concert Hall's 30th anniversary season on Tuesday. Williams, who first appeared at the Southampton concert hall in 1975, has been a popular visitor ever since. The latest programme will include music from his latest CD El Diablo Suelto. 023 8059 5151.

HARD-driving 70s rock is on the agenda at The Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne this weekend. Friday (Oct1) sees a return visit by house favourites Wishbone Ash while Saturday will feature a gig by Welsh veterans Man who are currently out on the road celebrating 30 years of gigging. Who'd have thunk it eh? Telephone 01202 885566.

BOURNEMOUTH Concert Brass, current West of England Champions, blow their own trumpets and a whole lot more when they give a rousing Last Night of the Proms style performance at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Sunday (October 3). Telephone 01202 499148.