GREASE is the word at the Bournemouth Pavilion as Jonathan Wilkes continues to star as love-struck High School gangleader Danny Zuko in the latest touring production of the perennially popular American musical at the Pavilion. The show - most famously remembered for its 1970s film version with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John - completes its two week run the Pavilion from until Saturday August 28. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

BOURNEMOUTH Pier Theatre's season continues in classic fashion with a final chance to see Ray Cooney's knockabout political farce Out of Order. Starring Paul Shane from Hi de Hi and Vicki Michelle from 'Allo 'Allo and Giles Watling from Bread. It focuses on the sleazy intentions of Junior Minister Richard Willey (I kid you not). The Right Honourable Willy has designs a certain opposition leader's typist but things don't go quite according to plan. The play runs until Saturday (August 28) Telephone 0870 111 3000.

THE final summer season production at the Pier, the Francis Durbridge thriller the Gentle Hook opens on Tuesday (August 31), The whodunnit stars Glen Murphy from London's Burning, Tony Scannell from The Bill, Deborah Grant from Bergerac and Gareth Hunt making his first appearance at the Pier since he was taken ill and collapsed during a performance their two years ago. The play runs until Saturday 18. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

SUNDAY night's at The Pier meanwhile offer good old fashioned variety entertainment in the form of the hugely popular Summer Seaside Special. Acts include sixties singing stars The Bachelors and Susan "Bobby's Girl" Maughan, oriental magic act Tensai and comedian and compere Stu "Crush a Grape" Francis. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

VETERAN actor Robert Hardy will give a series of readings at a concert of choral music and illuminations at Beaulieu Abbey Clisters on Sunday. The evening of choral pieces by the renowned Chapelle Du Roi Choir is being staged to mark the 800th anniversary of the abbey's foundation. The reading's will trace its fascinating history. Telephone 01590 612888.

THE Chapterhouse Theatre Company will stage an open-air production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at Exbury Gardens near Southampton on Saturday (Aug 28). Telephone 023 8089 8625.

MUSIC:

CARIBBEAN star Magnet Man will bring a heady mix of soca, dancehall and R&B sounds to Carnival Splash, this weekend. The event which organisers say is Bournemouth's answer to the Notting Hill Carnival, will be centered on the town's Old Fire Station.

TOP DJs will be in action for a 12 hour extravaganza of the hottest sounds around when the Versus Festival arrives at the Canford Park Arena at Poole on Saturday (August 28). Those taking part include Brandon Block, The Dreem Teem and many more. The festivities start at 2pm and run right through to 2.00am on Sunday. Telephone 08702 407835.

SONGS from the shows production Beyond The Barricade returns to the Pavilion Theatre on Monday and Tuesday (August 30/31) next week. Former cast members from Les Miserables perform songs from hit shows like Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Blood Brothers, Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Tell Me On A Sunday and of course Les Mis. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

REGULAR summer visitors are delighted to see that long-running rock 'n' roll musical That'll Be The Day is once again back in town. The show takes a light-hearted look at the golden era of popular music is playing the Bournemouth International Centre from Wednesdays to Saturdays. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

FEMALE impersonators The Star Sisters (aka Simon Buchanan and Mr Ken Dee) are back in action with their regular summer show at the Voltz Night Spot at Bournemouth's New Durley Dean Hotel on Sunday nights. Get ready for their versions of Shirley Bassey, Julie Andrews, Liza Minelli and even Anne Robinson. Telephone 01202 525564.

TURNING the clock back to the days of the legendary Rat Pack era, the Kings of Swing turn Bournemouth temporarily into sixties Las Vegas on Tuesday nights as the re-live the days when Frank, Sammy and Deano reigned supreme. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

BALLET Creations present a performance of Delibes Coppelia at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Saturday afternoon. The ballet as been created from scratch by young dancers aged eight and upwards who have been attending a special summer dance workshop. Telephone 01202 499148.

CHRISTCHURCH based Maltese concert pianist Joseph Fraidon Poles gives a recital at the Regent Centre studio at Christchurch on Saturday (August 28) The evening called Pictures From My Soul will include pop, jazz, and Spanish and Italian classics. Telephone 01202 499148.

BIKERS' favourites heavy rockers Dumpy's Rusty Nuts play Mr Kyps in Lower Parkstone on Friday (August 27). Tomorrow sees a return visit from sixties style crooners The Rat Pack with their tribute to Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Junior and Dean Martin while on Sunday the venue will be sponsoring a stage at The Friends of Poole Park Music Festival. The line-up includes, among others, bluesmen Harry Skinner and Dave Saunders, The Bowie Experience and Mungo Jerry led by Bournemouth's own Ray Dorset. For further information about Kyps call 01202 748945.