Alias mirth and Jones

Heard the one about Milton Jones the comedian? Chances are you will, since his comedy tour is proving so popular that he’s coming round again...

The king of the one-liner is adding a further 71 dates to his critically-acclaimed Temple of Daft performances.

In total, he will perform 170 dates from February to November 2015.

The new leg of the tour includes 13 days at Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August 7-21).

Before that he’s at the Lowry in Salford on Sunday; Blackburn King George’s Hall, May 21; Blackpool Grand, June 7; Lytham St Annes, October 7; back at Salford, October 18; Preston, November 6; and Lancaster, November 10.

Details: www.miltonjones.com

Manchester’s new centre for international contemporary art, theatre and film – HOME – may only be weeks from opening but there’s something of a house warming next week.

Internationally-acclaimed choreographer Hofesh Shechter & Friends perform at the nearby venue of 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester, from next Thursday to Saturday.

The show features a world premiere and the second part of an as-yet-unfinished trilogy choreographed by Shechter.

This piece (known as the bad) features dancers from his world-famous ensemble, accompanied by a dark and funky score featuring dub-step grooves alongside his trademark percussive electronics. The first night will conclude with a post-show DJ set from Shechter dancer Maëva Berthelot.

Box Office: 0161 200 1500 or www.homemcr.org

Continuing its long-standing relationship with award-winning playwright Jim Cartwright, the Octagon in Bolton presents the world premiere of The Ancient Secret of Youth and the Five Tibetans, starring Denise Welch, Tom Mannion, Eric Potts, Lauren Drummond and Matt Tait.

Cartwright’s work is among the most performed in the Octagon’s history, including critically acclaimed productions of Road, Two, Eight Miles High, Bed & Baths, and The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, which played to sell-out audiences in 2012.

His new play concerns the ageing process but asks what if there really was a path back to youth?

Three old friends find they must ask themselves that very question when they discover an ancient book that claims to offer a mysterious series of rituals that, if followed diligently, promise to turn back the clock.

Denise Welch is best known for her roles in Coronation Street, Benidorm and Waterloo Road, and her appearances on ITV’s Loose Women. The cast also includes Tom Mannion (The Price, Octagon Theatre, Emmerdale, Only Fools and Horses, Up the Garden Path, The Bill), Lauren Drummond (Waterloo Road, Heartbeat, Holby City), Eric Potts (Coronation Street, Brookside), and Matt Tait (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse).

Denise said: “I have always adored Jim Cartwright’s work. Appearing in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at the Royal Exchange remains one of my favourite experiences on stage, and David Thacker is a director I have admired for a long time, so the opportunity to work with them both at the Octagon is really a dream come true.”

Director David Thacker said: “All of us who sometimes wish we were young again will realise we must be careful what we wish for. And those still young may be reminded not to waste the opportunities that youth offers them.”

The play runs from next Thursday to May 23.

Box office: 01204 520661 or www.octagonbolton.co.uk