News from the worlds of theatre and comedy

* Award-winning comedian Josie Long has jumped off the comedy stage and started making films instead with director Doug King. The results are Let’s Go Swimming and Romance and Adventure, which Doug and Josie are coming to show you for themselves at the Phoenix Picture House in Walton Street, Jericho, on The Let’s Go Adventure Tour on Monday.

Josie wrote and stars in both films, which are coming of age stories but Josie will explain them in person in a short intro before the films and an audience Q&A afterwards. See picturehouses.co.uk

* How about a night which brings jazz funk, film, live music, debate and dance together? Black Screen Season: On The Funky Side of Jazz is the result tonight (Fri) – a movie and dance night, showcasing jazz funk through film, discussion, local live band The Heavy Dexters and a DJ set. Two documentaries start the evening – Another View and Baadasassss Cinema – followed by live music at Pegasus. Book on 01865 812150 or see pegasustheatre.org.uk

* Want to make your brain hurt? Then get down to the Oxford Playhouse to hear Ian Lipkin the “World’s Greatest Virus Hunter” tonight (Fri). Ian was the scientific consultant for the Steven Soderbergh film Contagion and knows more than most of us mere mortals can even contemplate. See oxfordplayhouse.com

* If it’s a laugh you’re after then try Glee Club tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) nights when Andrew Bird will be taking to the stage. Often a sought-after stand-up and TV warm-up man, he’s branching out alone rather than supporting big names such as Lee Hurst and Rhod Gilbert. Call the box office on 0871 472 0400 or see glee.co.uk/ oxford Or, for a thinking man’s comic, Mark Thomas heads back to Didcot’s Cornerstone tonight (Fri) having set himself the task of committing 100 Acts of Minor Dissent in the space of one year. Call 01235 515144.