PUNCHLINES

Lee Evans

He is not everyone's cup of tea - some see him as a Norman Wisdom- inspired slapsticker - but there is no doubt that is now officially huge. Not content with starring roles in such big-budget films as The Fifth Element, Mouse Hunt and There's Something About Mary, the manic physical comedian begins a 10-week run in the West End on Monday. Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1 (0171-494 5586) to 21 Nov

Leandre Ribera

Clowning is hard to pull off effectively. Too often it conjures up images of cringe-making men with red noses. Leandre Ribera is a cut above that. With his new show, Clown? Cabaret? Silent Movie?, he has evoked comparisons with the great Slava Polunin. In Edinburgh, critics raved about "the kind of person who restores your faith in discoveries on the Fringe". Hackney Empire, London E8 (0181-985 2424) 28 Sept to 1 Oct