25 Years Of Reeves And Mortimer

Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, Friday, January 29, 7.30pm, £21.50, 01323 412000

WITH Bob Mortimer now fighting fit again after a triple heart bypass operation, he and comedy partner Vic Reeves’s celebratory show marking their quarter century together is back on.

And now there’s a chance to catch the work in progress, as they try to iron out the kinks – or put more in – before they hit the big arenas.

The Poignant Moments, their first tour since 1995, sees them look back through a career which has included Vic Reeves’ Big Night Out, comedy panel show Shooting Stars and the sitcoms Catterick and House Of Fools.

Drew Cameron

The Barn, Saxon Lane, Seaford, Sunday, January 31, 2.30pm, £10/£8, 07710 426321

BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Drew Cameron is joining forces with singer Claire Jarvis for an afternoon of entertainment in the first of a new variety series hosted by Seaford Musical Theatre.

The comedy impressionist, who appeared on the 2008 edition of the talent search, includes Del Boy, Mr Bean, Michael Caine, Ali G and Ozzy Osbourne among his range of characters.

The Albatross Third and Main

Emporium, London Road, Brighton, Tuesday, February 2, to Saturday, February 20, 7.45pm, from £10, emporiumbrighton.com

THE London Road theatre hosts the world premiere of a new play by Simon David Eden exploring the American dream.

The writer and director will join playwright Neil Noon on the opening night for a Q and A about the play, which follows three guys battling a mountain of debt who come into possession of a box of priceless roadkill.

The Massachussetts-set black comedy stars Nicholas Boulton, Geoff Aymer and Charlie Allen.

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Tuesday, February 2, to Saturday, February 6, Tues to Thurs 7.30pm, 2.30pm Wed and Thurs, 5pm and 8pm Fri/Sat and 2pm Sat, from £27.50, 01293 553636

X FACTOR star Joe McElderry dons the coat of many colours in this touring revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic.

Aside from a one-off West End gala performance of Tommy in 2012 this is McElderry’s first major stage appearance, following in the footsteps of Jason Donovan, Philip Schofield and Donny Osmond.

McElderry beat Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon to the X Factor crown, and has become the first in the talent show’s history to release four albums – three of which entered the top ten.

Tosca

Congress Theatre, Carlisle Road, Eastbourne, Thursday, February 4, 7.30pm, from £22, 01323 412000

ELLEN Kent’s large-scale touring opera returns to Eastbourne, with an international cast performing Puccini’s classic set in Rome against the backdrop of Napoleon’s planned invasion of Italy.

Based on Victorien Sardou’s play the opera follows the story of the titular Tosca who does a deal with chief of police Baron Scarpia to save her lover, artist Mario Cavaradossi, from execution.

Sadly – as is the case in opera – the plans fail, leading to a finale of murder and suicide – but not before the moving arias Recondita Armonia, Vissi d’Arte and E Lucevan le Stelle.

Sophie Cook: Grab Life By The Balls

The Marlborough Theatre, Princes Street, Brighton, Thursday, February 4, 7.30pm, £10, 01273 273870

DESCRIBING herself as the first transgender woman in UK football, Hove-based photographer Sophie Cook shares the story of her transition to help conquer fears of change.

A twice-married father of three Sophie’s last job as Steve was shooting the promotion of her childhood team AFC Bournemouth as Football League Champions.

The 49-year-old now feels totally accepted by players and fans after decades trapped in the wrong body, and wants to help others make the same change.

Now We Are 60

Otherplace At The Basement, Kensington Street, Brighton, Thursday, February 4, 8pm, £8/£6.50, 01273 987516

WITH one month before she enters her seventh decade, Maxine Jones is feeling bewildered and a little bothered.

Time has sped up so fast that every day feels like bin day, and people are beginning to apologise for swearing in front of her.

The comic behind the observational shows Full Circle, Invisible Woman and Embarrassing Mother returns to Brighton with her fourth hour-long show.