Nigel Kennedy

World-famous violinist Nigel Kennedy presents Bach plus Fats Waller – A Senbla Presentation, at the Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth, on May 1.

Described as “a typically maverick musical programme”, the evening celebrates the music of Bach and Fats Waller, with Kennedy being joined live on stage by an acoustic guitarist, drummer and double bass player.

Tickets, priced from £29.50, are available from 0844 576 3000 or bhlive.co.uk

Julian Clary

Back by popular demand, national comedy treasure Julian Clary has extended his UK tour Position Vacant: Apply Within, and will appear at Lighthouse, Poole, on May 16.

Gaining a whole new legion of fans following his 2012 Celebrity Big Brother win, the sharp-witted and even sharper-tongued comedian promises a stellar night of comedy and invites a selection of eligible bachelors on stage every evening to win his hand in marriage. Tickets from 0844 406 8666 or lighthousepoole.co.uk

Swing Unlimited All Stars Big Band

Following their sell-out success last year, the Swing Unlimited All Stars Big Band is back with a tribute to the legendary Count Basie on May 5. Classic standards such as April in Paris and One O’Clock Jump will be performed alongside some new favourites from the extensive Count Basie repertoire. Tickets from 01202 499199 or regentcentre.co.uk

Romeo and Juliet, Bolshoi Ballet

Filmed in high definition by ten cameras, this classic love story is being beamed direct to Pavilion Dance’s Ocean Room Theatre straight from the Moscow stage.

Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet has been reproduced by ballet legend Yuri Grigorovich and will be shown on Sunday May 12 at 4pm. With behind the scenes footage and interviews during the intervals there is unrivalled access to the production. Tickets, priced £15, from 01202 203630 or paviliondance.org.uk

Footstorm

Seven of the world’s best modern Irish dancers have combined to form Prodijig, led by Alan Kenefick – often referred to as the Michael Flatley of his generation.

The troupe, which fuses Irish dancing with more modern moves, will perform their debut show Footstorm at Bournemouth’s Pavilion theatre on May 16 as part of a nationwide tour. Prodijig won Sky One’s Got To Dance 2012 and have gone onto wow audiences and receive five-star reviews and standing ovations for their crowd-pleasing style and energy.

Tickets are £35 and £17.50, from the Pavilion on 0844 576 3000 or bhlive.co.uk

Suggs: My Life Story

Madness singer and frontman Suggs takes to the stage at Lighthouse, Poole on May 17 with his one-man tour de force. Accompanied by a lone pianist, Suggs mixes narrative, anecdote and song to reveal his story, from his tough childhood to his sudden fame at the age of 18 and the sudden collapse of the band just a few years later.

He tells how he rebuilt his career through music production, solo albums, television, theatre, film and radio. Tickets £24.50 from 0844 406 8666 or lighthousepoole. co.uk

Michael Ball

Award-winning musical theatre star Michael Ball is performing for one night only at the BIC on May 1.

The tour ties in with the launch of the singer’s new Both Sides Now album which was released in February this year and features songs by some of his all-time favourite artists such as Joni Mitchell, Katie Melua and Dolly Parton, together with classic musical theatre songs and new songs by world famous composers.

Tickets are priced £37.50, available from 0844 576 3000 or bhlive.co.uk