Fresh aria - Dorset Opera double-bill Cavalleria rusticana and Pagliacci

July 30, 31 & August 1, at the Coade Theatre, Bryanston.

Following from the success of last year’s Pearl Fishers, which The Times gave four stars, Roderick Kennedy, Dorset Opera’s Artistic Director has chosen the “opera’s most famous ‘twins’ in order to attract new audiences. Cav and Pag – as they are affectionately known – contain masses of well-known tunes.
dorsetopera.com

Wessex tales - The Mayor of Casterbridge (performed throughout Dorset during July by the New Hardy Players)

This adaptation by Devina Symes portrays this tragic tale in a poignant, profound and humorous way; the latter coming mainly from the local Casterbridge characters whom Hardy loved. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of Hardy’s most emotive and tragic tales

The New Hardy Players were formed in 2005 by Norrie Woodhall to celebrate her 100th birthday, and to promote the work of Thomas Hardy.

Norrie, the last surviving member of the original Hardy Players (formed in 1908), especially asked if The New Hardy Players could perform “The Mayor of Casterbridge” as it was never performed by the original Hardy Players
hardyonline.org

Rat pack - Buddy Greco & His Musicians in Concert, at The Regent Centre, Christchurch,
Friday, July 3, 7.30pm

If you are a fan of the music from the ’50s and ’60s and the Rat Pack era, then Buddy Greco will be very familiar to you. He had the hit with Lady Is A Tramp, not Frank Sinatra. He has played every major concert hall in the world and is one of the true legends from the golden era of entertainment. With special guest Leslie Anders and Buddy Greco Jnr on drums regentcentre.co.uk

Bunny fun - Tales of Peter Rabbit, at The Regent Centre
Saturday, 4 July, 1pm & 3.30pm


Join Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny on their adventure through the forest to Mr McGregor’s garden, to fetch a nice juicy lettuce, the one place Peter was told not to go! With a specially commissioned script, brand new songs and beautifully designed scenery and costumes, this show is destined to bring Beatrix Potter’s classic stories to life in a new and exciting way

West End Magic - Swish of the Curtain Drama School, The Regent Centre,
Thursday & Friday July 9 & 10, 7.30pm

West End Magic includes numbers from some of the most popular musicals both new and old, such as Flashdance, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Miss Saigon, The Lion King, We Will Rock You and many more …

Bit of a coo - Alvin Stardust’s 70s & 80s Rock Party
Saturday, July 11, 7:30pm, The Regent Centre.

Dust off your boots, dig out your flares, slap on the glitz and relive the sensational hits of the 70s and 80s in the company of Alvin Stardust – Mr “Coo Ca Choo” himself

Pig out - Babe, The Sheep-Pig, The Regent Centre, Friday, July 24, 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Dick King-Smith’s fabulous farmyard adventure

Motor month

Some of the biggest names in local motoring gather at Twynham School playing fields on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 & 19 for this year’s Christchurch Motor Show

Car dealerships from across the area will be showing off their marques over the course of the weekend and there will also be an autojumble, food and a bouncy castle for the youngsters. Parking and entry to the show will be free.