SALISBURY Playhouse’s spring/summer 2017 season has been announced and includes a brand new commission from award-winning local playwright and novelist Barney Norris.

His new play, Echo’s End (March 29 to April 15), is set on the edge of Salisbury Plain in 1915 as a young couple finds itself caught up in the turmoil of World War I. Directed by Alice Hamilton, Echo’s End is a story of two families and the seismic changes which altered their lives and the identity of their county forever. Norris (winner of the Critics Circle Award for Most Promising Playwright) and Hamilton are former members of Salisbury Playhouse’s Stage 65 Youth Theatre.

Following a sell-out run in 2014, Salisbury Playhouse’s first Original Drama production, Worst Wedding Ever, returns. Written by Broadchurch-creator Chris Chibnall, Worst Wedding Ever is once again directed by Salisbury Playhouse’s Artistic Director, Gareth Machin, and runs in the Main House from February 2 to 25. Worst Wedding Ever is a comedy about a mother who sets out to give her daughter the proper family wedding she has always dreamed of. What could possibly go wrong? The cast includes Olivier Award nominated Julia Hills (Calendar Girls, Chichester Festival Theatre, West End and national tour; 2point4 Children).

Hattie Naylor (Radio 4’s The Diary of Samuel Pepys) has been commissioned to write As the Crow Flies (pictured) – a co-production with Pentabus Theatre Company in The Salberg studio from March 28 to April 8. Based on a true story of a woman who struck up an unlikely friendship with a wounded crow, this is a heart-warming story of healing and kindness.

Now in its sixth year, Theatre Fest West (February 10 to 25) will celebrate theatre from across the south west region.

The season also sees Salisbury Playhouse produce a revival of Rodney Ackland’s Before the Party (May 4 to 27). Based on the short story by Somerset Maugham, this sizzling portrayal of the upper middle classes adjusting to post-war life is directed by Ryan McBryde.

Salisbury Playhouse will be welcoming a range of top touring productions including The Play That Goes Wrong (February 27 to March 4), The Verdict starring Clive Mantel, Jack Shepherd and Richard Walsh (March 6 to 11), Showstopper! The Improvised Musical (April 20 to 22) and The Watermill Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night (June 20 to 24).

Musical Theatre Salisbury will also present Stephen Sondheim’s enchanting musical Into the Woods from July 3 to 8.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow.

Call 01722 320333 or visit salisburyplayhouse.com.