THE first original stage play by York-born novelist Kate Atkinson is being given its English premiere at the city's Theatre Royal.

Abandonment, first staged during the Edinburgh Festival several years ago, will be directed by artistic director Damian Cruden, and run from April 4 to 26.

The theatre's own main house productions also include a revival of JB Priestley's Yorkshire comedy, When We Are Married, from March 7 to 29.

March sees the relaunch of The Studio at the Theatre Royal, following improvements to seating, disabled access, sound proofing and air conditioning, thanks to £70,000 funding from the Arts Council.

An adaptation of Beauty And The Beast and a stage version of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting will be the first shows in The Studio.

Touring productions in the spring season include Michael Pennington in Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman, a triple bill from Leeds-based Phoenix Dance, and English Touring Opera in Die Fledermaus and Ariadne on Naxos.

Local amateur companies feature in the line-up too. York Light Opera Society presents Me And My Girl from February 11 to 22, followed by York Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society in Cabaret from May 8 to 17.

For details and tickets, call the box office on (01904) 623568.