As the nights cool down The Lights theatre in Andover heats up with a fabulous season of new shows from September onwards.

Celebrating the one-year milestone since the venue re-opened after lockdown, this September marks the start of cracking new season of shows – from dance to comedy, music to speakers, theatre to children’s shows.

With a reputation for comedy to uphold, the venue has pulled out all the stops and welcomes a sold out return for Tom Allen plus Suzi Ruffell – a sell out last time she came; the weird and wacky Terry Alderton; Carl Hutchinson – well known for being Chris Ramsay’s best mate; Hal Cruttenden; Seann Walsh and an extra date for Chris McCausland – originally at the venue in the spring, and bringing his tour back for a reprise – if you didn’t see it last time then this is your chance to catch it.

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Theatre is enjoying a resurgence too, with the return of the indefatigable Pantaloons with their comedic twist on Great Expectations, the classic tale of Pygmalion from Black Box Theatre Company, and the much loved Sherlock Holmes thriller, The Hound of the Baskervilles starring Colin Baker (Doctor Who) and Terry Molloy (The Archers for 40 years).  We haven’t forgotten the little ones either with theatre inspired by Janet and Allan Ahlberg’s beautiful picture book – Burglar Bill.

The new season also encompasses Christmas, which wouldn’t be the same without the Santa Shows with Santa Saves Christmas – the best pre-Christmas treat for ages 2-7 on 23 December, and where every child has a meet, greet and treat from Santa!  For slightly older children the venue is delighted to welcome Captain Calamity and the Santamime Adventure (ages 5-12) on 21 December.  If you can’t wait this long to enjoy the pleasure of bringing your children to the theatre then in the autumn half-term come and enjoy Morgan & West’s Unbelievable Science.  Expect explosive thrills, chemical thrills and phenomenal physics. Science never used to be like this!

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All of this against a backdrop of music including Cloudbusting: The Music of Kate Bush; Club 80s; Rob Heron and the TeaPad Orchestra, Coldplace; Oas-is; Sing, Sing, Sing with Matt Ford and The Johnny Cash Roadshow.

There is so much more to mention, so check out the new brochure or online listings at www.thelights.org.uk

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