LAUGHTER Lounge returns to the Maltings Arts Theatre on Saturday night with three top comedians in the line-up. Famous comedy face Paul Tonkinson, the self-confessed professional northerner who made his name as host of The Sunday Show and as Johnny Vaugha

LAUGHTER Lounge returns to the Maltings Arts Theatre on Saturday night with three top comedians in the line-up.

Famous comedy face Paul Tonkinson, the self-confessed professional northerner who made his name as host of The Sunday Show and as Johnny Vaughan's replacement on The Big Breakfast, tops the bill.

He will be citing the differences in male and female logic and probably taking the mickey out of almost every region in Britain.

Joining him is Jamaican comedian Tony Hendriks who headlines comedy shows all over the world, and Martin Coyote, a pivotal Comedy Store star and a prolific writer of thought-provoking gags. MC duties are in the capable hand of Kevin Precious.

The evening at the St Albans theatre gets underway at 8pm and tickets are �10 with concessions �8, available from the box office on 01727 844222.

�� Professional theatre troupe European Arts brings its adaptation of Charles Dickens' The Pickwick Papers to the arts theatre next Wednesday, April 1.

Set in the 1820s, it sees Samuel Pickwick set off across the country to observe human nature but he gets more than he bargained for in a tale of duelling, elopement, bribery, fisticuffs, mistaken identity, near drowning and imprisonment.

Packed with comic set pieces, it features a versatile cast of six who play a host of well-loved characters, including Sam Weller, Mr Jingle and Mrs Bardell.

The Pickwick Papers comes on stage at 8pm and tickets are �12 with concessions �10.

�� Children have plenty to look forward to with two designated shows for them over the next couple of weekends.

This Saturday Wild Wood Theatre are putting on Puck's Bottom, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A burlesque tale for children and families, Puck leads the audience on a perilous journey through Fairyland. Meanwhile Nick Bottom the Weaver and friends are preparing a play for the Duke and Duchess on their wedding day. Elsewhere the King and Queen of the fairies are at war.

The show features hand-carved puppets and original music and combines slapstick and magic. It starts at 3pm and tickets are �5.

The following Saturday, April 4, sees the return of the Theatre of Widdershins with a performance of Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom.

Aimed at over-fours, it finds poor Rapunzel living in a tower with a strange and scary old witch who uses her captive's lengthy locks as a stepladder.

It also starts at 3pm and tickets are �5.