The End of the Week Show - Pavillion Ballroom Francesca Martinez says she loves high heels. She'd dearly love to wear them, but when you have cerebral palsy, it's just a little bit of a no-no. This bright and bubbly performer will no doubt be exploring these and other frustrations encountered by living with a disability when she appears in the latest End of the Week Show cabaret at the Pavilion Ballroom on Friday, August 19. In her stand-up act Francesca uses many real-life observations (the time a security guard told her off for "impersonating" a cripple for instance) and invites the audience to laugh at some of the absurdities she has come across. Her show challenges perceptions of disability and questions prejudices, fears and ignorance. She will be supported by Dan Antopolski and Jason Freeman. Fore tickets and more details, telephone 08701 113000

Annie -Bournemouth Pavilion Leapin' Lizards! Annie, that ever -popular piece of musical theatre, is back. This latest production of the show, starring Ruth Madoc as the gin-sozzled Miss Hannigan, opened earlier this week and runs until Saturday, August 20. Miss Madoc, of course, is best remembered as Gladys Pugh, Queen of the Yellow Coats in Hi-de-Hi. More recently she has made her mark in Little Britain as the long-suffering mother of Daffyd, the only gay in the village. Telephone 08701 113000

Grease Mayflower Theatre - Southampton Grease The most popular musical in the history of rock 'n' roll, is back at the Mayflower next week. This tale of summer lovin' in an American High School back in the late 1950s/early 1960s finds the coolest guy around, Danny Zuko, having his heart melted by Sandy, played this time around by Pop Idol's Hayley Evetts. The show runs until Saturday, August 20. Telephone 02380 711811

Hooked On Laughter - Bournemouth Pier Theatre Variety entertainment is back at the Pier again on Monday, August 22. After several years of indifferent audiences for traditional end-of-pier farce, the 2005 summer season has undergone a change of 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 plays Monday to Thursday evenings and Friday matinees. Telephone 08701 113000

Hugh Lennon and Hypnodog Twisters Comedy Club Like owner like pet. Stage hypnotist Hugh Lennon heads for Bournemouth on Thursday, August 25 with his extraordinary pet Labrador Hypnodog. As his name suggests the crafty canine with saucer-like eyes can hypnotise people. The duo play the new Twisters Club in Albert Road, Bournemouth. Telephone 01202 789400

Legends of Comedy - Weymouth Pavilion Trades descriptions may be in for a few phone calls. The "legends" in question are in fact Cannon and Ball and the Grumbleweeds. They play Weymouth every Friday until September 2. Telephone 01305 783225

MUSIC

Nabucco - Dorset Opera The Coade Hall, Bryanstone School Dorset Opera is back with a lavish new production of Verdi's early masterpiece Nabucco. This was the work that cemented the composer's reputation as a superstar. It received rave reviews on its premiere and has remained hugely popular ever since. No wonder! Apart from the great score, it is a thrilling and rousing tale set in 580BC against a background of a Babylonian attack on Israel. Complete with obligatory Verdi love-triangle, it is nothing if not action-packed with Nabucco suffering temporary madness after being struck by a lightning bolt and Abigaille, the manipulative adoptive daughter of King Nebuchadnezzar, clawing her way to the throne but ultimately begging forgiveness as she dies at her own hand. There is an impressive cast with Michael Kalmandi playing Nabucco and Rose-Marie Farkas as Abigaille (one of the most challenging operatic roles) in this fully orchestrated production which, of course, includes hugely popular arias and rousing choruses like The Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves. It plays The Coade Hall on Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20. Telephone 01935 816332.

A Night at the Musicals - Bournemouth Pier Theatre Duncan Breeze leads a troupe of singers and dancers through a toe-tapping, feel-good selection of big numbers that have caused a sensation on the London and New York stage. With two different formats this show covers a huge election of musical blockbusters and runs every Sunday night through the summer. Telephone 08701 113000

Absolute Earth Wind and Fire - Bournemouth Pier Theatre It's feel-good dancefloor music with the elemental sounds of the Absolute Earth, Wind and Fire Show at the Pier on Saturday, August 20. Get your boogie shoes on and have a great time. Telephone 08701 113000

Joseph - Poles Regent Centre, Christchurch Pianist Joseph Fraidon Poles gives a recital on Saturday, August 20. Maltese by birth, Joseph lives in Christchurch and regularly tours the world playing for hotel chains. Telephone 01202 499148.

The Bachelors Seaside Special - Weymouth Pavilion Irish singing trio The Bachelors take their highly popular Seaside Special show to Weymouth on Sunday, August 21. Telephone 01305 748945.

Chas 'n' Dave - Weymouth Pavilion That redoubtable duo Chas 'n' Dave play the third of four summer concerts at the Weymouth Pavilion on Thursday, August 25. Gercha selves darn there for a right old knees up and some vintage rock 'n' roll. Telephone 01305 783225

The Foundations - Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone They first made waves way back in the summer of love when they scored a huge hit with Build Me Up Buttercup. Nearly 40 years on, The Foundations are back in action and sounding better than ever. They play Mr Kyps on Friday, August 19. Support act is soul and Motown covers band Bad Toad. Also playing Kyps this weekend are Phat Funk (who will be in Lower Parkstone on Saturday, August 20). Telephone 01202 748945

The Blockheads - The Brook, Southampton Former backing band of the late lamented Ian Dury, The Blockheads, are happily still flying the flag after their leader's untimely death from cancer five years ago. The band, who play The Brook on Friday, August 19 remain one of the funkiest outfits around and Ian would be proud of them. On Saturday, August 20 The Brook playing host to tribute band The Queens. Telephone 02380 555366