2018: Entertaining treats to look forward to

Come May there's another Royal wedding with Meghan Markle and Prince Harry due to tie the knot, a third baby due for Prince William and Kate. The Winter Olympics will also be taking place from February 9 to 25 in Pyeongchang, South Korea and the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia, April 4 to 15. Come summer, football fans will be gnawing their fingernails once again as England take part in the World Cup in Russia. It begins on June 14. But closer to home, let's take a look at what we can enjoy.

DANCE

DANCE TO THE MUSIC, WEYMOUTH PAVILION, JANUARY 28

Have you got a Strictly-sized hole in your life on Saturday nights?

If so, Dance to the Music is the show for you. Created by and starring Kristina Rihanoff of Strictly Come Dancing fame, X Factor's Christopher Maloney will be adding his voice to the show.

Also featuring are Strictly pros Robin Windsor ad Oksana Platero in this dance show said to be like no other.

RHYTHM OF THE NIGHT, WEYMOUTH PAVILION, MAY 3

Speaking of Strictly, An Audience with Ian Waite and Oti Mabeuse is also coming to Weymouth.

The Strictly Come Dancing pros will perform a dance showcase spectacular designed to dazzle and wow you. Oti is fondly remembered with her celebrity pairing with Danny Mac where they received a perfect score of 40 in the Samba. Ian is a regular on our screens with the spin off programme It Takes Two on BBC 2. On the night they will dance a mix of Latin and Ballroom, transporting you away to a place of wonderful moments.

THEATRE

NO PETTICOATS HERE, BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE, MARCH 10

This musical project, delivered by Louise Jordan, tells the stories of remarkable women of the First World War through song.

No Petticoats Here took Louise from Portsmouth to Pervijze and from Ulverston to Ypres by way of many museums, battlefields, private collections, libraries and research centres.

TEECHERS, DORCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE, MARCH 24

Don't miss the revival of John Godber's classic comedy Teechers by BlackEyed Theatre.

Mr Nixon, an unsuspecting new drama teacher, arrives at a struggling sink school. Crammed full of unforgettable characters, political left-hooks and razor-sharp comedy, Teechers is more relevant today than ever, a modern classic with something vital to say about education for the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.

COMEDY

HARDEEP SINGH KOHLI: ALTERNATIVE, FACT, DORCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE, MARCH 23

Critically acclaimed comedian Hardeep Singh Kohli brings his show to Dorchester following its successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe. Join Hardeep as he gives his unique take on the political climate combined with his trademark ‘quick-witted patter.

SUNDAY NIGHT COMEDY WITH ARDAL O'HANLON, WEYMOUTH PAVILION, MARCH 25

Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon will be adding star power to Sunday Night Comedy.

In a comprehensive set of stand-up, he will talk about not just the things that matter but also about the things that don’t matter at all. Which covers pretty much everything. The style is observational, the subject matter is life itself, and the default expression is one of utter disbelief!

GRUMPY OLD WOMEN TO THE RESCUE - WEYMOUTH PAVILION, TUESDAY, JUNE 5.

Starring Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane and Lizzie Roper, the Grumpy Old Women are heading to Weymouth. They've put their knobbly old feet up in glorious retirement and are free at last to practise their extreme colouring-in, ukelele orchestra and novelty fudge- making. Join them for 90 minutes of brand new ‘full-fat’, ‘batteries included’ comedy from the mistresses of grump.

FAMILY

JAY FOREMAN’S DISGUSTING SONGS FOR REVOLTING CHILDREN, DORCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE, APRIL 22

Dark humour and wordplay reminiscent of Roald Dahl comes to the county town courtesy of Jay Foreman's Disgusting Songs for Children.

Jay provides a devilishly cheeky hour of songs, poems and comedy for children of all ages in this family friendly show which regularly sells out its entire runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

GEORGE & THE FLIGHT, BRIDPORT ARTS CENTRE, MARCH 17

Within the confines of his bedroom George can conjure pre-historic worlds, fantastic mythical creatures and slip easily through black holes into other-worldly dimensions.

This is a globe-trotting quest bursting with magical illuminations and music – in a tale about how limitless imagination can be.

MUSIC

JIMMY OSMOND - MOON RIVER AND ME, WEYMOUTH PAVILION, FEBRUARY 20

The youngest member of a world famous group is bringing his tribute to crooner Andy Williams to Weymouth.

This brand new show is full of award-winning music, nostalgic footage and special memories of Andy Williams.

Jimmy will sing the songs that made Andy Williams so beloved by millions including Music To Watch Girls By, Happy Heart, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Almost There, May Each Day, Days Of Wine And Roses, and, of course, the song that was to become his theme tune, Moon River.

BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN, BRIDPORT ELECTRIC PALACE, MARCH 29

Hear Beth's haunting music when she performs in west Dorset this spring.

Her new Americana release, Hearts Of Glass, is a powerful collection of songs said to 'dig deep into the place within us where vulnerability meets strength'.

SHOW OF HANDS, DORCHESTER CORN EXCHANGE, APRIL 13

Steve Knightley and Phil Beer are back on their old west Dorset stomping ground to weave story and melody with their latest show When We're Bound.

These multi-award-winning artists who have five sell-out Royal Albert Hall shows under their belts are bound to draw in a crowd. Geoff Lakeman will be the special guest.