THE revival of Chris Chibnall'ss Worst Wedding Ever, a new comedy adaptation of Frankenstein, Gareth Gates in 80s musical Footloose and special events with Clare Balding and Monty Don are included in the just announced autumn/winter 2016/17 season at Salisbury Playhouse.

Other highlights include Ian Hislop’s The Wipers Times and Edward Fox as John Betjeman in Sand in the Sandwiches.

The season opens with Gwen Taylor and Daragh O’Malley leading the cast in Emlyn Williams’s psychological thriller Night Must Fall, a co-production between Salisbury Playhouse and Original Theatre Company. Directed by Luke Sheppard, who has recently directed the Olivier Award-winning In the Heights, Night Must Fall runs in the Main House at Salisbury Playhouse from September 6 to 24 before embarking on a national tour. Gwen Taylor is best known for her television appearances in Heartbeat, Barbara, Duty Free and A Bit of a Do. Daragh O’Malley is known for playing Patrick Harper in Sharpe.

Salisbury Playhouse and Bristol-based Living Spit will co-produce a new comedy musical adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein which runs in the Main House from October 20 to November 5.

The explosive rock ‘n’ roll musical sensation Footloose the Musical, starring Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan, comes to Salisbury from September 27 to October 1. Based on the cult movie and sizzling with youth, rebellion and romance, audiences can enjoy cutting-edge choreography and a host of classic 80s hits.

Following a sell-out run at Salisbury Playhouse in 2014, Broadchurch-creator Chris Chibnall’s Worst Wedding Ever is revived in a co-production between Salisbury Playhouse, New Wolsey Ipswich and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. Once again directed by Salisbury Playhouse’s Artistic Director, Gareth Machin, Worst Wedding Ever plays in the Main House from February 2 to 25, 2017. Chris Chibnall has recently been appointed Executive Producer on Doctor Who, taking up the post next year, and the third series of Broadchurch is being filmed this summer.

Last year’s production of Cinderella was Salisbury Playhouse’s most successful pantomime for a decade and the writer and director reunite for this year’s magical production of Aladdin, which runs from December 3 to January 7.

Christmas in The Salberg Studio has a Victorian twist with two new productions created by Gareth Machin and Glyn Kerslake. The Night Before Christmas (December 5 to 31), a new adaptation of Clement C Moore’s classic poem, promises to be a magical treat for the very young and their families. This will be performed in repertory with A Little Bit of What You Fancy (December 20 to January 21), a celebration of Victorian entertainment including songs, sketches, melodrama and magic.

There is a series of special events including an evening with renowned gardening writer and TV presenter Monty Don (January 20) and audiences can join number one bestselling author and broadcaster Clare Balding (September 24) for inspirational stories to mark the publication of her first children’s book The Racehorse Who Wouldn’t Gallop.

There is a host of touring productions including Ian Hislop’s The Wipers Times (November 14 to 19). Based on the critically acclaimed BBC film, this poignant yet funny play is set in Ypres in 1916 and is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit. Edward Fox returns to the Playhouse to play John Betjeman in Sand in the Sandwiches for just four performances (November 21 to 23) and English Touring Theatre presents Lady Chatterley’s Lover (November 8 to 12).

Stage 65 Youth Theatre will take to the Main House stage this summer (August 23 to 25) to perform Henrik Ibsen’s Peer Gynt. The explosive new adaptation by Dave Orme will see 65 young people in both onstage and backstage roles take audiences on a hedonistic adventure.

Salisbury Playhouse will this season be celebrating 40 years in its Malthouse Lane home with an Open Day on October 29 It will throw open its doors so visitors can take a look behind the scenes at the extensive on-site production facilities, celebrate its history and take a glimpse at what the future may hold.

Public booking opens on Friday. For tickets, call 01722 320333 or visit salisburyplayhouse.com