COMEDY, drama, music and children's entertainment are all part of the spring programme at Harrogate Theatre.

The programme begins next month with Silence of a Dale - Alice Bartlett's bitter-sweet examination of the impact foot-and-mouth disease had on rural communities in North Yorkshire.

The production runs from Wednesday, February 19, coinciding with the second anniversary of the outbreak in 2001.

The focus switches to younger audiences the following month with Alan Ayckbourn's The Boy Who Fell Into A Book, opening on Tuesday, March 4, while Rumpelstiltskin, The Toy Theatre, and Thor the Giant Killer, all follow in April.

The theatre also celebrates World Music Week in April, with performances by the Croydon Gospel Choir, Flamenco star Juan Martin, the London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra and a celebration of Jewish music by The Burning Bush.

Abba tribute band Voulez Vous also perform in March. Clive James and Pete Atkin visit in May and there is an audience with the BBC's royal correspondent, Jennie Bond planned in June.

Theatre fans can also look forward to performances of Shakespeare's Othello, in March and Dickens' David Copperfield in April.

For details, call (01423) 502116.