Little Britain: Windsor Hall, BIC The BICs refurbished Windsor Hall has reopened in style in the company of the biggest comedy show in the land with the first four of six sell out shows running until (Sunday night). The brainchild of Matt Lucas and David Walliams, characters such as Vicky Pollard, Dafydd and Lou and Andy have become national institutions with their hilarious and painfully accurate observations. Telephone: 0870 111 3000

Joan Rivers: Bournemouth Pavilion After ripping spectacularly into activist and broadcaster Darcus Howe live on BBC Radio 4's Midweek programme last week American comedian Joan Rivers is likely to find would-be hecklers are decidedly thin on the ground when she brings her latest stand-up tour to Bournemouth on Wednesday (Nov 2). Adding some frightfully British finesse to the occasion will be Kit and The Widow. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Nelson: The Nuffield, Southampton Pam Gems' play casts Admiral Nelson as a post-modern anti-hero, prepared to do whatever he deemed necessary to fit the demands of his duty to the nation. The playwright says she finds him "pitiful, awesome and admirable." Nelson runs until November 5. Telephone: 023 8065 2333

Annie: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton That perennial favourite from the Broadway musical stage - the rags to riches story of little orphan Annie - arrives in Southampton on Tuesday (November 1). The same production that played the Pavilion in Bournemouth during the summer, it stars Ruth Madoc (best remembered as Chief Yellowcoat Gladys Pugh from Hi de Hi) and sixties pop star Mark 'Venus in Blue Jeans' Wynter. Runs until Saturday November 5. Telephone 023 8071 1811.

Swan Lake - Moscow City Ballet : Lighthouse, Poole. The world -renowned Moscow City Ballet make a welcome return to Poole with a new production of that timeless favourite Swan Lake. Featuring Tchaikovsky's sublime score, it opens on Thursday (Nov 3) and runs until Saturday November 5. Telephone: 01202 685222

The Sleeping Beauty: Mayflower, Southampton English National Ballet's European premiere of Kenneth MacMillan's new version of Tchaikovsky's great ballet in which the Princess Aurora is condemned to an eternal sleep only to be broken by true love's kiss. The show runs until Saturday (October 29). Telephone: 023 8071 1811

Puppetry of the Penis: Bournemouth Pavilion Let's twist again. That strangely popular show featuring a couple of Australian exhibitionists who tie their bits in knots is back in town and playing the Pavilion on Sunday (Oct 30). Don't try this at home boys..... but if you do, just make sure you wash your hands afterwards. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Sheer Folly: Lighthouse, Poole Hoodwink brings small-scale theatre to Poole on Friday (Oct 28) .One rain drenched night a woman climbs a tower and find The Lost Pinnacle, the answer to true love and happiness. Then she drops it and a man finds it at his feet... Telephone 01202 685222.

Bananas In Pyjamas: Regent Centre, Christchurch Children's theatre comes to the Regent Centre on Saturday (Oct 29) as the Bananas try to recreate some of their favourite fairytales complete with music. props and lots of audience participation. Telephone 01202 499148.

Fires in the Field: Forest Arts, New Milton Theatre and Beyond bring this story of paranoia, politics and pyrotechnics on the south coast in 1606 - exactly a year after the Gunpowder plot - to Forest Arts at New Milton on Thursday (November 3). Telephone 01425 612393.

Fetch: Thorncombe and Ansty Village Halls Big State Theatre presents multi-paced comedy show using film, puppets to create a world of "unbridled Johnny Morrisness". Plays Thorncombe tonight (Friday) and Ansty on Saturday (Oct 29). Telephone 01460 30247 or 01258 880441.

Pink Martini: Lighthouse, Poole Like a curious cross between a 1930s Cuban Dance Orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble and a Brazilian marching band, Pink Martini offer a heady cocktail of Afro-Cuban rhythms, Parisian caf tunres and Caribbean calypso. Add some vintage Hollywood style string arrangements and you get some idea of what will be on offer from China Forbes and her 14 piece band at Lighthouse on Saturday (Oct 29). Telephone 01202 685222.

Pasadena Roof Orchestra: Pavilion Ballroom Whether you love the Foxtrot, Charleston or even the Black Bottom get on down to the Pavilion Ballroom on Saturday (Oct 29) when the Pasadena Roof Orchestra play and Celebrity Strictly Come Dancing star Jason Wood brings songs and humour to the occasion. Telephone 0870 111 3000

The Geoff Eales Trio: Bournemouth Modern Jazz Club Club favourites the Geoff Eales Trio present a tribute to the late, great American pianist Bill Evans at the Bournemouth Modern Jazz Club at Klute in Exeter Road on Tuesday (Nov 1). Telephone 01202 252511.

Pop Legends: Regent Centre, Christchurch The ultimate pop diva tribute arrives in Christchurch on Friday (Oct 28) with a concert celebrating the music of Kylie, Britney and Gwen Stefani. Telephone 01202 499148.

Early Jazz: Lighthouse: Poole Neville Dickie plays James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller, Martin Litton plays Ragtime and Nick Dawson plays Errol Garner and Nat King Cole in this celebration of early jazz at Lighthouse on Thursday (Nov 3). Telephone 01202 685222.

Rawsthorne Recitals: Lighthouse, Poole Violinist and pianist Gaby and Harold Lester continue the Thursday lunchtime recital series celebrating the centenary of neglected but brilliant British composer Alan Rawsthorne. As well as Rawsthorne's Sonata they will play music by Saint-Saens and Mozart. Telephone 01202 685222.

Piaffinitee: Piddletrenthide Village Hall This show originally hit the road to mark the 40th anniversary of the death of late, great Edith Piaf. The punters like it so much that it is still going strong. It features a powerful trio led by vocalist Djamila from Biarritz with guitar and accordion accompaniment. It plays Piddletrenthide Village Hall on Saturday (Oct 29) Telephone 01300 345 252.

Battanai Marimba: Sturminster Marshall and West Lulworth Village Halls The buzzing acoustics of Southern African marimbas mix with percussion, alto sax, bass and vocals as six piece band Battanai Marimba celebrate the past, present and future of African dance music at Sturminster Marshall on Friday (Oct 28) and West Lulworth on Saturday. Telephone 01258 858311 or 01929 400181.

Lizz Wright: Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton Hot new jazz vocalist Lizz Wright shows just why Verve - the label of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Diana Washington and Diana Krall fell over themselves to sign her when they heard her first demo tape. Her superb alto is influences by jazz, folk, R&B , neo-soul and gospel. She plays the Turner Sims on Friday (Oct 28). Telephone 023 8059 5151.

McCoy Tyner Trio & The Dominic Alldis Ensemble: Lighthouse, Poole Legendary jazz pianist McCoy Turner brings his trio to Lighthouse at Poole for an evening of sophisticated jazz alongside popular visitor The Dominic Alldis Ensemble. Telephone 01202 685222.

Limehouse Lizzy/Viva Santana/Alike Cooper: Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone More leading tribute bands play Kyps this weekend. Thin Lizzy soundalikes Limehouse Lizzy play the second of two shows this evening, Viva Santana are in Lower Parkstone on Saturday (Oct 29) and on Sunday there is a Hallowe'en special (one day early) from Alike Cooper. Telephone 01202 748945.

The Silver Beatles/The Fall: The Brook A weekend of contrasts at The Brook with fab four tribute band The Silver Beatles playing the hits of Liverpool's most famous beat group on Friday (Oct 28) and the edgy brilliance of The Fall led by ever-challenging frontman Mark E. Smith on Saturday (Oct 29). Support act for The Fall will be the inimitable wordsmith John Cooper Clark. Telephone: 023 8055 5366