Bad Manners

Lewes Constitutional Club, Lewes, Sunday

Since 1976 Buster Bloodvessel and co have been bringing their energetic brand of ska to venues across the country.

Their last album was released in 2003 but the band are as popular today as they ever were.

Bad Manners consistently deliver a high-paced show full of catchy tracks and a range of hits means their sets are always entertaining.

Songs such as My Girl Lollipop, Lip Up Fatty and Can Can have had crowds dancing for more than 30 years – and the band show no signs of stopping.

Alaska and Jeremy – The Amethyst Tour

Theatre Royal, Brighton, Sunday

A star of Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Alaska (whose last name is not safe for print) returns to Brighton with her assistant Handsome Jeremy for a spectacular night of drag. Hosted by The Powder Room, the show will see Alaska bring this special, full length, show to the Theatre Royal and once again delight the crowd of drag lovers.

Expect a quirky musical extravaganza where drag meets alien species. And Alaska and Jeremy won’t be coming alone, with a whole host of support acts like Daniel Crystal, Lydia L’Scabies, Rococo Chanel and Arran Shurvinton, propping up the show. If you’re a fan of comedy, music, Ru Paul’s Drag Race or all of the above then this is the show for you.

Ian McKellen

Theatre Royal, Brighton, Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19

Most 80-year-olds wouldn’t celebrate their birthdays by heading out on a nationwide tour, but then again most people aren’t Ian McKellen.

A legend of stage and screen, McKellen will be bringing his With Tolkien, Shakespeare, Others And You show to the Theatre Royal - giving fans a peek behind the curtain of his life. Widely regarded as one of the finest actors in the world, and with starring film performances in X-Men, The Lord Of The Rings and The Hobbit, he has certainly earned his place among acting royalty.

In the minds of theatre lovers Ian will better be known for his portrayal of famous Shakespearian characters like King Lear, and Iago (in Othello). But no matter what role you know him from, it cannot be denied that Ian McKellen is an acting great.

Mary Stuart

Brighton Open Air Theatre, Brighton, Wednesday, July 17 – Saturday, July 20

Mary Stuart is imprisoned in England. Elizabeth I hesitates over the signing of the death warrant that will end her life.

A disastrous meeting is arranged between the two women leading to the last days of Mary Stuart and, finally, her elevation as a martyr. This striking new adaptation of Mary Stuart, performed by the Brighton Little Theatre brings to life this imagined meeting and explores the characters of two of history’s most interesting figures.

Andrew O’Neill

The Caroline of Brunswick, Brighton, Thursday, July 18

The heavy metal-loving, occult-worshipping comedian Andrew O’Neill returns to Brighton with a preview of his latest show.

As one of the most unique comics on the circuit today, Andrew certainly knows how to bring the most weird and wonderful everyday observations out of life.

Andrew will be joined for this Edinburgh preview show by Ben Van der Velde, an up-and-coming comedian in the UK who has already made a name for himself touring all over Europe.

Ben is a regular at Edinburgh Fringe.

Krater Comedy Club

Komedia, Brighton, Thursday, July 18

Presented as usual by regular host Stephen Grant, the Krater Comedy Club returns to Komedia with another cracking line up of comedians.

Peter Brush, Janine Harouni, Helen Bauer and Adam Bloom all feature on this stellar line-up.

Widely considered one of the best regular comedy nights in the country, Krater is known for putting some of the finest talent on the stage and giving them a chance to shine.

If this line up isn’t for you why not check out Krater’s other regular comedy line ups throughout the week?

Die Zauberflote

Glyndebourne Opera House, Lewes, Thursday July 18 - Saturday August 24

One of Mozart’s most magical comedy pieces is brought back to Glyndebourne for the first time in more than a decade.

The show is considered a classic and will surely delight audiences as part of the Glyndebourne summer series. For those who want to check it out early, showings start from next week. Die Zauberflote, which means The Magic Flute in English, is a story that will entrance the whole family and give youngsters an early taste of Mozart’s work.

Love Island Experience

Madeira Drive, Brighton, Friday, July 19 – Monday, July 29

Love Island fans can now take a trip to the villa without ever leaving the city.

This summer the Love Island experience will be coming to Brighton Seafront.

Fans of the hit ITV show will be able to watch the nightly episodes in surroundings that look almost exactly like those on the programme.

The Love Island Experience is set up by the same group that organises the Luna Beach Cinema and Friendsfest.

The final 11 nights of romance and drama will be available to view on the beach.

Easy Star All-Stars

Concorde 2, Brighton, Friday, July 19

Meet the band that puts a reggae style on not just covers of songs but entire albums.

It’s fair to say the Easy Star All-Stars must have an eclectic music taste to perform the covers they have chosen to date.

For example, next week’s show will see the group perform Dub Side Of The Moon, their reggae-influenced cover of the classic Pink Floyd album Dark Side Of The Moon.

If you fancy hearing Floyd with a twist, this is a show worth going to.