TOP comedy, drama, music and the Christmas pantomime all feature in a North-East theatre’s newly announced autumn programme.

September begins at the Gala Theatre, Durham with Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends, with Agatha Christie’s classic “whodunit” The Mousetrap following from September 14 to 19.

London Festival Opera will present A Night at the Opera on Thursday, September 10 and the English Touring Opera will return with Massenet’s Werther and Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffman in late October.

The ever-popular Leo Sayers, The Searchers and shanty singers Port Isaac’s Fisherman’s Friends are among the musical highlights.

The Durham Book Festival is central to the programme, with the Gala hosting Philip Pullman, Bill Bryson and Mary Portas among others.

Comedy will be provided by a host of star names including Sarah Millican, Ruby Wax, Dave Spikey, David O’Doherty, Jenny Eclair, Fred MacAulay, Terry Christian, Jo Caulfield, Tim Vine, Dave Gorman, Ed Byrne and Jason Byrne.

For children, there will be Dinosaur Zoo, Elf’s Christmas Toys and the Christmas pantomime, Cinderella, which runs from November 26 to January 3.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “We’ve got an exciting, jam-packed line-up of events at Gala this autumn with something to suit every age and taste.

“And there’s also plenty going on behind the scenes, with our pantomime regulars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley stepping up to write and direct this year’s fun-packed family production of Cinderella.

“Neil and Paul have a wealth of panto and theatre experience and know exactly what Gala audiences want from our festive shows. I’m sure everyone will be delighted with what they have in store.”

For full details or to book tickets, visit the box office, call 03000-266-600 or go online to galadurhan.co.uk