Lined up at St George's Church, Brighton on 6 December (7pm, �15/�17) are the intriguing prospect of Esmerine (+ special guests).

Esmerine was co-founded in early 2000s by percussionist Bruce Cawdron (Godspeed You! Black Emperor) and cellist Rebecca Foon (Thee Silver Mt. Zion, Saltland) soon after the two met while recording the first Set Fire To Flames record Signs Reign Rebuilder (2001) in Montreal.

It's a bit of a world first at Matt's Comedy Club, Worthing, on 11 April with an ingenious charity 'pay as you laugh' Open Mic night.

MC and co-founder Russ Bravo explains: "We thought it would be fun to try something different and raise funds for a good local cause at the same time.

Matt's is delighted to welcome back Zoe Lyons to Worthing's only family-friendly comedy club following her headline appearance at the 2010 Worthing Comedy Festival.

Zoe has continued to gig across the UK and internationally, appearing at many top festivals as well as having regular slots on TV's Mock the Week, The Wright Stuff, Dave's One Night Stand etc. Expect a great night's entertainment with one of the comedy scene's most likeable and entertaining acts.

Expect mind-bloggling tricks, witty banter and daft songs aplenty at the final show of 2012 for Worthing's Matt's Comedy Club.

The town's family-friendly comedy club has a high class line-up in store at The Empress Suite on Worthing seafront, on Thursday 1 November.

Headline act is the extraordinary comedy magician John Archer, star of ITV's Fool Penn & Teller last year.

The Gothic drama and anguish of Dickens' Great Expectations was delivered powerfully in Jo Stafford's well judged adaptation at Brighton's Theatre Royal last night.

It was an eerie night's entertainment that left you with more questions than answers, as Dickens' grotesque characters wrestled their way through a period piece that challenged, chilled and chastened in equal measure.

Quirky singer-songwriter Jenny Lockyer tops the bill at the next Matt's Comedy Club open mic night on 27 September (8pm), along with a stack of local acts old and new in support.

"It's a great chance to spot a star in the making," says Russ Bravo, MC at the family-friendly club, "and we still have a limited number of spots available."

 

Matt's Comedy Club Worthing returns with another night packed with family-friendly mirth on 26 July when top writer and performer Paul Kerensa is the headliner.

Paul (below, right) has been gigging steadily around the UK and Europe for at least the last 10 years, picking up a number of awards with his genial mix of gags, clever observation and themed shows at the Edinburgh Festival.
 

Theatre Absolute are premiering a new work by award-winning writer Chris O�Connell in a former empty shop.

ARCADE is a short play and will be performed at the UK�s only professional Shop Front Theatre in City Arcade, in the heart of Coventry City centre.

Performed by Midlands actors Katy Stephens and John Flitcroft, ARCADE is a mixture of guilt, memory and desire - a passion play for two characters.

Local readers and writers are invited to join in a celebration of the written and spoken word centred on the Lime Cafe at St. Paul's, Worthing.

Blue Note recording artist Stacey Kent is touring her new album, Dreamer in Concert.

Kent, who boasts six best-selling albums and a string of awards, including the British Jazz Award and BBC Jazz Award for Best Vocalist, visits Worthing on Tuesday 29th May.