Melton Theatre's new season has plenty of variety - your what's on guide for autumn/winter

The venue celebrated its 40th birthday on June 22. Its special anniversary season will kick off in style, when Gareth Gates visits Melton on (September 3).

His show is set to appeal to aspiring musicians, and he will be supported by local singer- songwriter George Simpson, who was readily chosen by the theatre to accompany the former Pop Idol star.

Fans will also be able to get up close and personal to Gareth with a meet and greet session scheduled after the show.

Other famous personalities to grace Melton will include the outspoken Kerry Katona (November 4) and cycling enthusiast Ned Boulting (November 17).

For fans of stand-up, radio and television comedians, the theatre is most definitely the place to visit as there is comedy from Lee Hurst (October 27), Marcus Brigstocke (October 28), and for the second year running Mark Steel (November 23).

Returning production groups shape up in the form of Sky Theatre Company (September 13 to 17), The Melton Mowbray Theatre Company (October 12 to 15) and The Melton Mowbray Flower Club (November 21).

Dance troupes for performing arts students to look forward to include the extremely popular tribute show An Evening of Dirty Dancing (November 3) and the glamorous former Strictly Come Dancing pairing of Ian Waite and Camilla Dallerup (October 23).

Something else not to miss during Melton’s iconic Food Festival are The Thinking Drinkers (October 1) and George Egg (October 2).

Enjoy five delicious free drinks as you embark upon a euphonic, elbow-bending expedition with the alcohol aficionados, and taste the mind-bending three course meal prepared by George, cooked using only the scarce equipment found in a hotel room.

Panto season begins in earnest with Stage Coach Melton Mowbray’s performance of Cinderella (November 18) and Trevonne’s Stage School’s production of Rapunzel (December 3 to 10).

Rounding out the year and scheduled close to Christmas will be Brooksby Melton College’s Cinderella pantomime (December 15 and 16) and Trio Entertainment’s The Wizard of Oz (December 18 to 22).

Melton Theatre coordinator Michael Harris said: “We’re proud to have been such a large part of the community in Melton for 40 years now and we hope that this anniversary season has something for all of you to enjoy.

“I’m always open to suggestions, so if people want to see a specific new show they’re more than welcome to tell me and i’ll try my best to make it happen.”