* HELEN & Douglas House’s annual comedy and music event Childish Things has seen such success over the years that for its ninth outing it will run for two nights.

The charity fundraiser raised more than £100,000 for the Oxford hospice in 2012. This year it will feature the likes of Rob Brydon, Newton Faulkner, Al Murray and KT Tunstall, alongside a variety of other musical and comedy acts at Oxford’s New Theatre next Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission starts at £25. See the full line-up and book at helenanddouglas.org.uk

 * Comedian Shazia Mirza will grace the North Wall Theatre in Summertown with her guileless wit tomorrow night. The internationally acclaimed stand-up presents Cuckooland, her latest ‘frank’ show. Tickets are £13. Book online at thenorthwall.org

* Local schools have been inspired by a traditional Native American story to stage their own play at the Pegasus Theatre tomorrow. Reach For The Sky tells the tale of a world where tasty food is always within arm’s reach, eliminating world hunger.

However, when human gluttony inevitably turns this utopia into a wasting ground, an all-powerful God must intervene. A mixture of dance, drama and music will aid the performance, which features children from primary schools Wood Farm and Caswell, and secondary schools Cheney and Larkmead. Performances are at 1.30pm and 6pm and tickets are £3. Call 01865 812150.

* A new year signals a new start, and to kick off 2013 you’d do well to seek out the work of psychologist-turned-writer Mark Williams. His new book, Mindfulness, helps its readers to break the cycle of unhappiness and stress and find peace in a frantic world. For a more personal encounter, you can hear the author talk of his methods today at 7pm Blackwell’s in Broad Street. Tickets are £3. 

*  Pantomime season might be over, but the quick-thinking actors at Oxford Comedy Deathmatch are keeping the festive cheer alive via their third annual ImproPanto. You’re just as likely to see fairy godmothers as you are villainous cabbies from Swindon – ultimately, the audience will dictate the fate of the show in this unpredictable evening at the Simpkins-Lee Theatre, Lady Margaret Hall. Performances, run until Saturday. Individual tickets start at £10, while a family ticket for four people is £30. To book, call the Oxford Playhouse box office on 01865 305305 or visit their website, oxfordplayhouse.com