FOR the past year it has been the new kid on the Hampshire arts scene block.

The Berry theatre has been drawing audiences to its stateof- the-art venue with its mix of drama, light entertainment, children’s shows and comedy since it opened in 2011.

And now its new autumn season promises to be bigger and better, offering a varied programme for all ages and an extensive film schedule in Hedge End .

Comedy fans are in for a treat, with a line-up that includes one of the UK’s bestloved comedians and broadcasters, Marcus Brigstocke.

He will present his new show, The Brig Society, on September 21, casting his satirical eye over society, restructuring every aspect of it from education and health care to defence and economics.

Kicking off the season’s drama programme is Bertolt Brecht’s masterful anti-war play Mother Courage and Her Children on October 4 and 5.

Regarded by many to be the greatest play of the 20th century, this powerful production is adeptly brought up to date by writer Lee Hall, best known for writing the screenplay for War Horse, and performed by leading contemporary company Blackeyed Theatre.

When two ideologies clash the balance of world power is threatened. In its midst, one woman, her three children by her side, sees an opportunity to survive. But at what cost?

Internationally-acclaimed ventriloquist Paul Zerdin brings his new show Puppet Master to the venue on October 18. Taking ventriloquism and audience participation to a new level, you’ll soon start to wonder just who is controlling who.

Already establishing itself as a destination for family entertainment, The Berry Theatre’s new children’s programme is bursting with high quality productions.

Olivier Award-winning dramatist Mike Kenny puts his unique spin on classic children’s fairy-tale Rumpelstiltskin on September 22.

This exciting reworking is presented by spellbinding children’s theatre company Hiccup Theatre. Live music, puppetry and inventive storytelling promise to make this adaptation a must-see family show.

Prepare for some straight talking and frank responses when veteran Labour politician Tony Benn hosts An Evening With… on December 8. A Member of Parliament for 50 years and a former Cabinet member, Benn, who famously left politics to “spend more time in politics”, has quite a few anecdotes on which to draw – and entertain!

And this year, The Berry Theatre is delighted to announce its Christmas show is a magical adaptation of The Elves and the Shoemakers.

This tale of magic and mischief spins live music, puppetry, physical storytelling, with a sprinkling of elf magic thrown in for Christmas luck.

Now a regular fixture each season at The Berry Theatre, the venue opens its doors to all with a free fun-packed day of theatre workshops, backstage tours, storytelling sessions and films.

Hedge End Festival on November 10 will give people the opportunity to try their hand at everything from willow weaving and technical theatre to drumming and special effects stage-make up.