THE Haymarket in Basingstoke has announced its full autumn season which is jam-packed with drama, comedy and music.

Making a welcome return is the hugely successful children’s show The Gruffalo (September 18 to 21). The hit monster family show is a brilliant musical stage adaptation of the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

ID Productions presents Design for Murder by Donald F East from September 24 to 27. Clive and Moira are a middle class couple existing in a loveless marriage, each with their own secrets and skeletons in closets. But events take a sinister turn when these skeletons emerge and treachery and double-crossing lead to catastrophic consequences.

Peter Amory, Emmerdale’s original bad boy Chris Tate, stars in this thrilling psychological drama.

Blackeyed Theatre in association with South Hill Park present Not About Heroes (October 1 and 2). It tells the unforgettable story of two of the finest First World War poets, Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Through the letters and poems of these two men, Stephen MacDonald’s acclaimed play paints a vivid and moving picture of their friendship and the conflict that brought them together.

Talking Scarlet presents Double Death by Simon Williams (October 15 to 18) starring Brian Capron (Coronation Street), Andrew Paul (Where the Heart Is) and Kim Tiddy (The Bill, Hollyoaks). In an isolated house on the cliffs of north Cornwall, the sibling rivalry between identical twins Max and Ashley Hennessy is coming to a murderous climax.

They both know one of them must die but, trapped in his wheelchair, Ashley knows the odds are against him and he is in mortal danger.

An all-star cast appear in this gripping, unpredictable thriller.

Following a hit tour in 2012, Three Men in a Boat - Craig Gilbert’s acclaimed adaption of Jerome K Jerome’s classic tale of boating misadventure, returns to The Haymarket on October 31 and November 1. Originally intended as a guide to boating on the Thames, Jerome’s ripping yarn of youthful friendship, mischief and folly celebrates the very essence of Britishness. Don’t miss We’re Going on a Bear Hunt from November 7 to 9. A family go on an expedition of a lifetime – running down the grassy bank, wading through the cold river, squelching over the oozy mud, stumbling into the dark forest, then peering into a cave… what will they find?

Little Angel Theatre brings Michael Rosen’s thrilling and funny adventure to life in this entrancing puppetry production directed by Peter Glanville and with music and lyrics by renowned singersongwriter Barb Jungr.

Talking Scarlet presents Shady Business by Robin Hawdon (November 12 to 15) starring Zoe Lister (Hollyoaks) and Scott Wright (Coronation Street). Mandy and Tania are sexy but struggling nightclub dancers living in the heart of London’s Soho, and they face a crisis. Will possessive club owner Big Mack find out about Mandy’s affair with Gerry and set his sidekicks on them? Will anyone figure out what is going on, and will they all survive until the curtain comes down?

The season also has a great variety of onenight shows. Comedian Ruby Wax brings her show Sane New World on September 13.

On October 3, Country Roads – A Celebration of John Denver will take you on a magical journey evoking nostalgic memories of a time when the singer-songwriter dominated the US and UK charts.

The following night, Viva Santana bring their phenomenal Latin rock explosion to Basingstoke celebrating the music of the legendary Carlos Santana.

Stephen K Amos returns on October 8 with his new show Welcome To My World.

Fresh from sell-out tours of Australia and New Zealand, as heard on BBC Radio 4 Life: An Idiot’s Guide and What Does the K Stand For?

Sing-a-Long Songs of War Time commemorates the 75th and 100th Anniversaries of the First and Second World Wars on October 9. With music made famous by The Glenn Miller Orchestra, Dame Vera Lynn, George Formby, and Max Bygraves, the show features a live band. Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (October 10) sees the five Bennett sisters husband-hunting, but for spirited Elizabeth Bennett not just any man will do. This witty and inventive newadaptation of one of the most loved novels of all time sees debates in drawing rooms, magnificent balls and turns about the garden.

Charles Ross recreates the world of Middle Earth in One Man Lord of the Rings on October 11. No props or costumes are required as he hurtles through the Tolkien trilogy in just 3,600 seconds of unbelievable kinetic entertainment.

For anyone who loves the sounds of the ’60s, and enjoys a few laughs along the way, The Bootleg Shadows perform a tribute concert on October 24 that encompasses The Shadows’ amazing career from 1960 until the early 80s.

Tickets for all shows are now on sale.