What's On This Week

Classic French comedy duo French and Saunders perform at the Civic from July 31 to August 4. Photo / Supplied

MUSICAL

One of the most successful musicals of all time has hit town and is on now at Vector Arena. Starlight Express was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1984 for his young son Nicholas. Performed entirely on roller skates, the touring production features a cast of both international and local performers, including former New Zealand Idol contestant Rebecca Wright.

Starlight Express - Vector Arena, to August 9, tickets from Ticketmaster

FUNDRAISER

TV3 reporter David Farrier is travelling to Mongolia to make a film about his search for an outlandish creature called the Mongolian Death Worm. Help him at a fundraising party at Sale St tonight, featuring musical entertainment from Hollie Smith, Dave Gibson, Phil Bostwick, Phixx, and Duncan Grieve.

David Farrier's Death Worm Bash - Sale St, 7 Sale St, Freemans Bay, July 30, 7pm, $5 entry

FOOD

Like the stomach of a food lover, the Food Show continues to grow each year, with hundreds of boutique and mainstream exhibitors on board for this year's show at the ASB Showgrounds. There's a hefty line-up of famous faces in the kitchen, headlined by Australian celebrity chef Donna Hay. Why not try the 42Below Vodka University or the Stella Artois Draught Masters Competition?

The Food Show Auckland - ASB Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West, Epsom, July 31-August 2

THEATRE

How about some interactive theatre to coincide with the anniversary of the moon landing? The premise: "Trapped 200,000 miles away from Earth, three astronauts fight for their lives ... they are quickly running out of oxygen, power and hope. As the world waits helplessly, the elite staff of America's Space Agency [ie, you, the audience] are desperately trying to find ways to bring the crippled ship home."

Apollo 13: Mission Control - Lower NZI Room, Aotea Centre, to August 15

CLUB/DJ

Making Tracks presenter Nick D travelled the world last year, taking New Zealand music to the furthest outposts of the globe. This weekend, he reverses the trend and brings a little bit of the world to Auckland, with the Yewala Yewala Soundsystem. Featuring MCs from Rwanda and Ghana and performances by Zoh Zoh (pictured) and live African drummers.

Yewala Yewala Sound System - Cassette Number Nine, Vulcan Lane, August 1

COMEDY

For the first time, classic British comedy duo French and Saunders bring their show to New Zealand. The well-loved duo promise to work their way through most of their iconic, comedic characters, "from the champagne-swilling, drug-hoovering Edina Monsoon, to the lovesick Rev Geraldine Granger".

French & Saunders First and Final Farewell NZ Tour - The Civic, Cnr Queen & Wellesley Sts, July 31 to August 4, 8pm

CLUB/DJ

British DJ Mark Pritchard has been producing music since the early 1990s, moving through the realms of techno, ambient, electronica and remixing everyone from The Orb to Tribe Called Quest along the way. Now he brings his most recent project, Harmonic 313, out on tour. He plays at Ink Bar this Friday with support from Dylan C, JC/DC and Nick D.

Mark Pritchard/Harmonic313 - Ink Bar, 268 K Rd, Newton, July 31, 10pm

ROCK/POP

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, the original line-up of The Specials play Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre this Saturday. With a particular fondness for the sounds of ska, the British band achieved worldwide popularity with hits like A Message To You Rudy and Ghost Town. Frontman Neville Staples is doing an in-store at Real Groovy Saturday afternoon too.

The Specials - Logan Campbell Centre, 217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom, August 1, 7.30pm