1. A Laugh a Minute – Nicholas Parsons
The host of BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute, demonstrates his unique skills as a solo performer and raconteur. His anecdotes are based on his experience of working in an unpredictable and always fascinating profession. He has an ability to laugh at himself and see the humour in his early life and struggles to be an actor, building to anecdotes based on his varied work in so many branches of show business. A show full of humour, comedy and acutely observed characterisations. Tickets are £17.50, available from www.nordenfarm.org or call the Box Office on 01628 788 997.
10 January, 8pm, Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead.

2. Amersham Festival of Music: Italian Concertos
Join us to celebrate the New Year with a festive programme of Italian Baroque Concerti including brilliant works by Vivaldi for Oboe and by Pietro Lecosaldi for Cello, two superb Concerti Grossi by the great Corelli (including the much-loved and exquisite Christmas Concerto). The programme ends with one of Rossini’s early, virtuosic and highly amusing String Sonatas. Oboeist, Christopher Hooker and Cellist, Anne-Isabel Meyer are well known to Festival audiences. They will combine in Zipoli's haunting Adagio. Zipoli was a priest and composer who went as a missionary to South America. He left behind some beautiful pieces of sacred music including this fine work. Tickets: £20, £15 and £10. For full details or to book tickets online, visit www.amershamfestival.org, or call the Box Office on 0333 666 3366. Postal bookings: Amersham Festival of Music, 67 Deanway, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks, HP8 4JX.
9 January, 8pm, St Mary’s Parish Church, Old Amersham, HP7 0DP.

3. Appetite for Illusion UK
After their sold out performance in January 2014, Appetite for Illusion U.K. are back at the Elgiva to blow away the winter blues with the music of Guns N’ Roses. The band will passionately recreate the seminal Appetite for Destruction album plus many more hits and deep cuts from their back catalogue. Tickets £10 in advance, £12.50 on the day, available from www.elgiva.com or by calling 01494 582 900.
9 January, 8pm, The Elgiva, Saint Mary's Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR.

4. The Simon and Garfunkel Story
Direct from London's West End, award winning actor Dean Elliott and a full cast of performers tell the compelling story of the greatest music duo of all time. Using both original photos and film footage, The Simon and Garfunkel Story also features a full live band performing all their hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. Tickets range from £20.90 to £37.40, available from www.atgtickets.com/venues/aylesbury-waterside-theatre or in person at the main foyer.
9 January, 7.30pm, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury.

5. The Snow Queen
Quantum Theatre return to the Elgiva with this thrilling and magical family production for all ages. The enchanting and bittersweet story by Hans Christian Anderssen follows the fortunes of two devoted friends, Kay and Gerda, who are parted by the Snow Queen when a splinter from a magical mirror lodges in Kay’s heart changing him into a cold, cruel and aggressive boy. When the Snow Queen whisks Kay away to her ice palace in the North Pole, Gerda cannot bear to lose him and sets out on a dangerous journey to find him. Tickets are £12 (£7 children), available from www.elgiva.com or by calling the Box Office on 01494 582900.
10 January, 3pm, The Elgiva, Saint Mary's Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR.