Andy Parsons – Work in Progress

Worried about your job? Worried about your family? Worried about yourself? Worried about the health service? Education? Climate change? World War 3? Worried about worrying?

Come and have a laugh about it. It’s one of the things we do best. Go on. Take a risk. Put on your lucky pants and your party shoes and get yourself on a night out. Or maybe come out dressed in a bin bag, top hat and clogs. We could all use a laugh. As seen regularly on Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and QI.

The Old Town Hall, High Street, Old Town, Hemel Hempstead, Wednesday, January 25, 8pm. Details: 01442 228091

Watford Observer:

The Classic Rock Show

The critically-acclaimed stage production The Classic Rock Show returns to the UK to deliver up its eagerly-awaited new show. Performing the greatest rock songs, the show’s world-class band powers through Classic Rock’s finest moments, from AC/DC and Aerosmith to Eric Clapton, The Eagles, ELO, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meatloaf and Queen to The Who, Zeppelin, ZZ Top and everything in between, performed with note-for-note precision that truly brings the iconic recordings back to life on stage. Anthem after anthem, riff after riff, The Classic Rock Show takes you on a musical journey through two and a half hours of foot-stomping fun, culminating in a show-stopping guitar duel that is definitely not to be missed.

The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, Thursday, January 26, 7.30pm. Details: 01727 844488

Watford Observer:

Good Dog, photo by Dan Patrick Hipkin (TEAfilms)

Good Dog

It’s in the window of Sam’s, behind the rusty display. Two wheels, shiny body, handlebars ready to be gripped. Mum’s promised him that bike so even when school or home life bites, he knows to keep his chin up, his head down and his shirt clean. No harsh word, no sudden push to the ground will distract him from growing up to be a good man. Because in the end, everyone who’s good gets what they deserve. Don’t they? Set during the early noughties, Good Dog chronicles growing up in a multi-cultural community, and the everyday injustices that drive people to take back control. Delicately observed and fearlessly told by the star of Crazyhead, Eastenders and Youngers, Arinzé Kene returns to writing for theatre for the first time since God’s Property in 2013.

Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, Tuesday, February 14, to Saturday, February 18, 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Details: 01923 225671