STAGE

Grease is the word

SUPER swaggering feelgood rock 'n' roll musical Grease is back and completing a six-night run at The Mayflower Theatre in Southampton on May 18.

This one-time Broadway show-turned-cult Seventies movie-turned-successful West End and touring production is a sure-fire hit. South African heart-throb Craig Urbani follows a long line of actors to take on the hip-shaking lead role of Danny Zuko.

Tel: 023 8071 1811.

Shakespeare sound

INDEPENDENT Ballet Wales brings its latest touring production of Twelfth Night to the Regent Centre in Christchurch on May 19.

The company, formerly Cwmni Ballet Gwent, presents the play as a two-act dance drama set to music by Haydn.

Tel: 01637 253985,

Just desserts?

KAOS Theatre brings its new show Thirst to the Forest Arts Centre at New Milton on May 17. Inspired by a true story set in a remote Western Australian gold mining outpost during the 19th century, this is the tragic tale of a man who brought water to the desert.

Tel: 01425 612393.

No, not that Chekov

TREKKIES get the chance to meet Walter Koenig, the actor who played Russian Ensign Pavel Chekov in Star Trek, when he visits the Carrington House Hotel in Knyveton Road on May 17. Koenig, who was also the sinister Alfred Bester in Babylon 5, is guest at an evening which will also feature a charity auction for the Macmillan Cancer Trust at Christchurch Hospital.

Tel: 01747 812353.

A helping hand

MISCONCEPTIONS - David Lewis's comedy about sex, phobias, infertility and obliging friends - completes its two-week run at the Salisbury Playhouse on May 18.

Desperate to conceive, a couple ask a friend to lend slightly more than a hand.

Tel: 01722 320333.

Trailer-park smash

AMERICAN comedian Rich Hall brings his bigamous, trailer-trash convict Otis Lee Crenshaw to the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on May 17.

The character with a pithy line in put-downs, a penchant for bitter-sweet country songs and a brilliantly cock-eyed view of life, has served Hall well. See him before he passes his sell-by date.

Tel: 01202 848014.

Still time for fame

GLITZY grans and gyrating grandads will be out in force tomorrow for the second regional heat in the Silver Stars talent contest for the over-60s.

The first heat last week was won by retired undertaker Pamela Richmond from Broadstone. She will be joined by the winner of the competition on May 17 at the regional finals at the BIC on June 5 for a chance to compete for a place in the Grand Final in Southport on July 24.

See rising stars

THE earnest wannabe thesps of The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School bring their touring production of Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost to the Tivoli Theatre in Wimborne on May 18.

Tel: 01202 848014.

The fat widow

THOSE purveyors of the finest satirical musical nonsense, Kit and The Widow, bring their hilarious show The Fat Lady Sings to the Turner Sims Concert Hall at Southampton on May 18. Special guest is mezzo-soprano Melanie Marshall.

Tel: 023 8059 5151.

Postmen's dance

CONTEMPORARY dance takes on a distinctly masculine look at The Point Dance and Arts Centre at Eastleigh on May 17 when four dancers/ choreographers present 1st Class Air Male.

The show features the talents of Henri Oguike, Russell Maliphant and Ben Wright and newcomer Jose Navas.

Tel: 023 8065 2333.