Laughing Gravy: Lighthouse, Poole. AN intriguing exploration of one of the legends of the silent screen is on offer in Zenith Theatre's latest play Laughing Gravy which investigates Stan Laurel, his inexhaustible quest for the next joke and of course his relationship with comedy sidekick Oliver Hardy. Aimed at a family audience, it looks at the drama and darkness behind the laughs.Telephone 01202 685222.

Joseph and the Amazing Tecnicolor Dreamcoat: The Mayflower, Southampton. A few weeks after playing Lighthouse in Poole, Bill Kenwright's brilliant new production of Joseph arrives in Southampton for a week at The Mayflower on Monday (Nov 8). Some 35 years after it originally caused a sensation of the London stage Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic family musical is as appealing as ever. Pop Idol runner-up 20-year-old Andrew Derbyshire takes the title role. Telephone 023 8071 1818.

The Entertainer: The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton John Osborne's groundbreaking 1956 play established him as one of Britain's finest and most exciting playwrights. His tale of fading music hall entertainer Archie Rice fighting to survive in a dying world is as telling today as it was nearly 50 years ago. Telephone 023 8067 1771. It runs at The Nuffield until Saturday November 13.

The Russian Cossack State Dance Company: Bournemouth Pavilion Direct from Moscow, this sensational troupe of 40 world class dancers, singers and musicians show what true energy, passion and talent can achieve on stage. They play the Pavilion on Saturday November 6 and Salisbury Playhouse on Monday (November 8).Telephone 0870 111 3000 (Bournemouth) and 01722 327676 (Salisbury)

Oh! What A Night: Bournemouth Pavilion King Creole goes solo giving his Coconuts a rest as he fronts this high-energy celebration of the hits of the seventies. Co-host for this carefully choreographed and lavishly produced show is fellow US recording star Hazel Payne. It plays the Pavilion on Monday and Tuesday (Novbember 8 and 9). Telephone 0870 111 3000.

A Night To Remember: Bournemouth Pavilkion The Boscombe Salvation Army stage a Festival of Remembrance at the Pavilion on Sunday (November 7). Featuring the Royal Marines Drummers and BBC Radio 2 Choirgirl of the Year Lucy Rhodes. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Poole and Parkstone Charity Concerts: The Regent Centre, Christchurch. Songs from the shows. From stage to screen and screen to stage many of the great musicals have successfully transferred from one medium to the other Poole and Parkstone celebrate some of the best. Friday night' show raises money for RNLI and Christchurch Rotary and Saturday Guide Dogs For The Blind. Telephone 01202 499148.

Funny Girl, Theatre 2000: Regent Centre, Christchurch. Funny Girl opened in New York in 1964 and told the story of Fanny Brice, an ordinary girl who rose from obscurity in the Big Apple's Lower east Side to become a Ziegfeld superstar. Theatre 2000 retell the story. Telephone 01202 499148.

MUSIC

Status Quo: Bournemouth International Centre Eighteen years after they first played the BIC the Quo are back on Saturday night for what has become their annual performance. The heads down no nonsense rock remains much the same led as always by frontmen Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. The fans lap it up though. The duo will be at Borders bookstore in Bournemouth earlier in the day to sign copies of their autobiography X-S All Areas. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Jools Holland, Bournemouth International Centre Another regular at the BIC, bandleader and all round good guy Jools Holland brings his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra to town on Sunday. This 17 piece big band can play virtually anything and frequently does. Special guest is Deborah Bonham, the big bluesy voiced sister of late Led Zeppelin drummer John. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo: Salisbury City Hall Following their appearance at Lighthouse in Poole on Thursday (November 4), the ever brilliant South African acapella harmony group Ladysmith Black Mambazo led by charismatic frontman Joseph Shabalala play Salisbury City Hall on Sunday (November 7).Telephone 01722 327676.

Joan Viskant: Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne. American born but British based jazz singer Joan Viskant brings her latest show to the Tivoli on Friday (November 5). Viskant, a bright new vocal talent championed by, among others, Michael Parkinson was last at the Tivoli a year ago with The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook. This year she is showcasing her latest album Over Here, Over There. Telephone 01202 885566

Rumours Of Fleetwood Mac: Salisbury City Hall Tribute band Rumours of Fleetwood Mac take their current tour to Salisbury on Wednesday (November 10). The band trace the Macs career from British blues giants through their years as West Coast rock gods. Original Bournemouth born bassman Bob Brunning puts in a guest appearance. Telephone 01722 327676.

Bootleg Beatles: Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth. The Make Believe Mop-Tops, The Fake Fabs. Call 'em what you like, The Bootleg Beatles remain one of the best tribute bands around. This is another of those annual shows that has become part of Bournemouth's entertainments calendar. Enjoy hearing The Beatles back catalogue played by an excellent band who have been around far longer than the real thing. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

Chango Spasiuk and Ana Sofia Varela: Turner Sims Concert hall, Southampton World music comes to the Turner Sims from Argentinian accordian player Chango Spasiuk, Portugese vocalist Ana Sofia Varela and a variety of great musicians. Telephone 023 8059 5151.

Ian Briggs and Jim Crawford: Dorchester Arts Centre Blues nights continue at Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday (Nov 6) when veteran musos guitarist Jim Crawsford and harp player Ian Briggs just how good they are. They've both got great voices too. Telephone 01305 266926.

Samuel Oyediji: Forest Arts Centre, New Milton. The Forest Arts Centre continue their excellent series of world music concerts on Saturday (Nov 6) when Samuel Oyediji delivers some hypnotic and haunting sounds inspired by his native Africa. Using digital technology and voice, percussion and guitar he delivers mainly original composition sung in Nigerian, English and even Latin. Telephone 01425 612393.

Rollin' Stoned, The Toxic Twins etc: Mr Kyps, Lower Parkstone. Things are looking decidedly hedonistic this weekend at Kyps, Friday (November 5) sees a return appearance by tribute band Rollin' Stoned while on Saturday it's the turn of those Aerosmith soundalikes The Toxic Twins. Nick Harper levels things out a little on Wednesday (Nov 10) and on Thursday (November 11) there's another chance to see The Bowie Experience. Telephone 01202 748945.