Music, dance, comedy and a kids premiere in Playhouse line-up

And the schedule, which is out now, also includes a special pull-out-and-keep children’s section with a whole host of events planned to keep youngsters entertained and involved in the arts.

The Creative Cocoon section of the Playhouse caters for the under 10s with events taking place on a regular basis for toddlers, as well as special one-offs.

To tie in with the launch of the new programme, there is a Meet the Manager event on Saturday, September 17, for the public to meet the faces behind the Playhouse and find out about upcoming developments at the theatre and the latest programme.

Manager Jo Potts said: “The Playhouse autumn brochure is out and packed with a variety of live, film and streamed events.

“The big news for this autumn is that we have Bridget Jones Baby on the UK national release date, which is Friday September 16, so you can see it at Alnwick first.

“The café staff now includes Linda Hawkey, who bakes all of our cakes on the premises which are absolutely delicious.

“The café offers a variety of pre-show catering from theatre platters, prosecco and cupcakes to afternoon teas.”

One of the highlights of the programme is not one, but two, performances from Joe McElderry on Friday, November 11, and Saturday, November 12. VIP packages for the event are available at £75

In terms of live streamings, the National Theatre’s 3 Penny Opera will be on Thursday, September 22, and RSC Onscreen will stream King Lear on Wednesday, October 12, and Branagh Theatre Live will show the Entertainer on Thursday, October 27.

For dance fans, Ballet Cymru will be performing Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs on Sunday, October 2, and a live streaming of the ballet Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House on Thursday, December 8.

Comedy is on the cards in Fish Eye – a pay-what-you-decide play – on November 24, and Impro Pantso on Thursday, December 22.

A whole host of music acts are lined up for the next six months with Abba – Forever in Concert on Friday, October 7; The Lindisfarne Story on Friday, October 21; Peatbog Faeries on October 28; and a tribute to Michael Buble with Tour Stop 148 on Saturday, October 29.

And there is plenty to keep younger audiences occupied as well.

Alongside a weekly tots group, the Playhouse is the venue for the premiere of Hey Presto, a new play about Presto and Monty joining a carnival on Thursday, September 22, with showings at 1pm and 4pm.

The Playhouse has teamed up with the international Big Draw festival to bring five workshops and a family event to the venue during October half-term, specifically for seven to 10-year-olds.

Puppetship will be back at the Playhouse with In a Nutshell on Saturday, October 29, and Wednesday, December 28, with Sparkle.

And on the subject of Christmas, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers will be back on Friday, December 9; the family-friendly Santa Trap will be on Friday, December 16, and Saturday, December 17; and Northumberland Theatre company will present Little Red Riding Hood on December 7.

There are also performances from the Playhouse Youth Theatre and Alnwick Theatre Club, as well as The Duchess’s Community High School and other local groups.