STAGE AND MUSIC (11.03)

DIRECTOR Michael Bogdanov's celebrated new stage version of Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood completes its five night run at Lighthouse in Poole on Saturday (March 13). The production, which is being touring to rave reviews by the Wales Theatre Company, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the play's first radio broadcast and its first stage performance. Bogdanov's reading of Thomas' touching reflection of life in small-town South Wales has been praised by Thomas' daughter Aeronwy no less as the finest version of Under Milk Wood she has ever seen. Praise indeed! Telephone 01202 665334.

ANDREW Lloyd Webber's big West End hit Whistle Down the Wind has been receiving rave reviews as it tours the provinces. This week the musical based on the classic 1960 film about innocence and fear in the American bible belt has been playing Southampton's Mayflower Theatre. It completes its run on Saturday (March 13).

THERE'S a double dose of Alan Ayckbourn at Salisbury Playhouse for the next few weeks as his plays House and Garden are performed simultaneously in the main house at the Salberg Studio. House (main house) details the goings-on as a family prepare for an important dinner while Garden (Salberg Studio) focus on the preparations for a village fete. The plays run until March 20. Telephone 01722 320333.

THE latest touring production from Ringwood's Forest Forge Theatre Company The Belle of Bonavista Bay explores the connections between Newfoundland and the south west of England. Set in the nineteenth century and featuring scenes in both Poole and Ringwood. It plays Gussage All Saints village hall on Monday (Feb 15) Telephone 01258 840596. The Drax Hall at Bere Regis on Wednesday (March 17) Telephone 01929 471342 and The Burgate Theatre at Burgate School in Fordingbridge on Thursday (March 18). Telephone 01425 612393 THOSE loveable pranksters at Bournemouth's Jester Laugh Comedy Club celebrate their 10th birthday on Friday (March 12) at King Arthur's Court in West Hill Road with a line-up that features Dave Thompson, Eddie Brimson and Mike Gunn. They will no doubt be reminiscing about a fascinating decade that has seen them move home more times than most comedians change their underpants and give early career breaks to everyone from Graham Norton to Ross Noble. Telephone 304972.

ACTOR and storyteller Raymond Sargent brings his one-man dramatisation of two very different Victorian stories - Thomas Hardy's Three Strangers and the Signalman by Charles Dickens - to the Regent Centre in Christchurch on Friday and Saturday (March 12 and 13). Telephone 01202 499148.

WITH music from leading ensemble Tango Siempre and dance from Mina and Giraldo, the sensuous rhythms of the world's most passionate dance come to Dorset. Tango comes to Powerstock village hall on Friday (March 12) Telephone 01308 485205.and Thornford village hall on Saturday March 13. Telephone 01935 873762.

Check-out the music scene

AFTER half-a-dozen years out of the spotlight Seal, one of the more intriguing acts of the 1990s is back with a new album and a UK tour that plays the Bournemouth International Centre on Sunday (March 14). After 12 years in Los Angeles the London born singer has not only finally returned to live in Britain but is in the midst of what he describes as "the most creative period of my life" Telephone 0870 111 3000.

SHE started of as 15-year-old Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, a chart-busting Glaswegian teenager with a big voice whose first record Shout stormed up the charts in 1964. She went on to marry a Bee Gee, work with everyone from David Bowie to Jimi Hendrix and become a household name. On Wednesday (March 17) Lulu as she is universally known, arrives at the Pavilion Theatre for a concert celebrating her greatest hits. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

IT won't be the same without the late, great Edwin Starr but Motown celebration Dancing In The Streets lives on. With Martha Reeves headlining a full cast of singers, dancers and musicians and a programme of classic sixties soul, this fun show plays the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Sunday (March 14). Telephone 0870 111 3000.

DIG out those Union Jack hats and flags as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra bring one of their rousing Last Night of the Proms concerts to the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth on Saturday (March 13). Singalong and even 'conduct' your way through traditional favourites like Jerusalem, A Fantasia on British Sea Songs and of course Land of Hope and Glory. Telephone 0870 111 3000.

ON Wednesday (March 17) The BSO will be back at their home-base of Lighthouse at Poole playing a programme that includes Rossini's William Tell Overture, Schuman's Symphony No 1 and Beethoven's Violin Concerto with guest soloist Antje Weithaas. Conductor will be Marc Albrecht. Telephone 01202 685222.

THE prodigiously talented pianist Joanna MacGregor plays the Turner Sims Concert Hall in Southampton on Tuesday (March 16). Always exciting and imaginative, she will playa programme that includes music by Schubert, Piazzolla and Beethoven. Telephone 023 8059 5151.

BRILLIANT boogie piano player Ben Waters arrives at the Forest Arts Centre in New Milton on Friday (March 12). The first half of the concert will be a solo affair before Waters is joined by his celebrated Boogie Blues Band after the interval. Telephone 01425 612393.

SPANISH guitar virtuoso Eduardo Niebla is back in Dorset with concerts at village halls in West Lulworth on Thursday (March 11) and Broadwindsor on Friday (March 12) and Stour Provost Church on Saturday ( March 13) Broadwindsor village hall. Telephone 01929 400617 (West Lulworth), 01308 868582 (Broadwindsor) and 01747 838223 (Stour Provost).

JAZZ fans will be able to enjoy a return visit from top pianist Dave Newton and his Trio (the others members are Steve Brown and Matt Miles) at the ever-excellent Concorde Club in Eastleigh on Wednesday (March 17).

AN evening that combines mellow bossa nova with rip-roaring samba beats when the Wessex Jazz Collective make a return visit to Dorchester Arts Centre on Saturday (March 13) for an evening of Brazilian-themed music. Telephone 01305 266926.

THE Bournemouth and District Irish Society hold a St Patrick's Dance ( a few days in advance of the actual day) at the Kings Arms Hotel in Christchurch on Saturday (March 13) with music by Noel Lennon's Band. For tickets and further information call 01202 246538/770658/888539.