Mark Thomas has spent much of the last year winding people up with his provocative 100 Acts of Minor Dissent project. It was a hugely ambitious concept that he didn’t know if he would complete – in fact at one point a stressed-out Thomas told me he wished he’d called it “52 Acts of Minor Dissent" instead. But he did finish it, which was lucky, because he had promised to pay UKIP £1000 if he didn’t. You can hear about some of the highlights at the National Theatre tonight.

Die Roten Punkte – which means The Red Dots – sound like a hardcore German punk band. In fact they are a lipstick-painted glammy, trashy duo who have recently toured with Amanda Palmer. They were nominated for Best Cabaret show at the Time Out and Soho Theatre Edinburgh Cabaret Awards last summer and you can see what all the fuss is about at the Soho Theatre from June 3 - 8 when they present their latest show, Kunst Rock. Don't tell anyone, but a little bird has whispered in my ear and said that they are really Australian rather than German, but adopted their teutonic personae to get noticed down under…

It’s another week with some strong benefit gigs. Lucy Porter, Paul Sinha, Richard Herring and Robin Ince are among the well-meaning suspects pitching up for a British Humanist Association fundraiser at the Bloomsbury Theatre tonight. Meanwhile on Wednesday there is a more expensive but more unusual gig, entitled Symfunny, at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of Parkinson’s UK. Comedy fans will be entertained by compere Al Murray and Armstrong and Miller, while Alfie Boe and Rebecca Ferguson are among the musical guests. Jason Manford will also be doing some comedy and, rumour has it, duetting with Alfie Boe.