WORLD and regional premieres, award-winning visiting productions, a varied selection of the UK’s best comedians and public figures, film and children’s theatre will make up the spring 2019 season at Nuffield Southampton Theatres.

The new season begins with critically acclaimed sell-out smash hit The Shadow Factory at NST City from January 30 to March 2.

Written by Hampshire’s own Howard Brenton, the story tells of how Southampton emerged and came together after bombardment from the Luftwaffe to build the Spitfire during the Battle of Britain.

The show opened the £32 million NST City last year and returns to celebrate the venue’s first birthday.

It’s followed by the regional premiere of Nuffield Southampton Theatres Production The Audience, at NST City from Mary 24 to June 22.

This is a new version of the award-winning play from the writer of the popular TV series The Crown which follows the Queen’s meetings with the Prime Minister.

A European stage premiere of Khaled Hosseini’s best-selling novel A Thousand Splendid Suns is at NST City from June 25 to July 6.

This powerful story, from the writer of The Kite Runner, is a Birmingham Repertory Theatre and Northern Stage co-production in association with Nuffield Southampton Theatres, following three generations of women discovering strength in unity.

Visiting productions include Mike Leigh’s comedy classic Abigail’s Party, at NST Campus for a week in February and Rain Man; based on the Oscar-winning film which famously starred Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman, at NST Campus for a week in March.

Other highlights include Olivier-award-winning productions such as the hysterically funny, witty and wonderful comedy Stones in His Pockets which runs at NST Campus, from March 25 to 30.

Then there is the twisted morality tale with Kneehigh’s Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) at NST City from May 2 to 4.

There is also another sell-out season of comedy featuring some of the biggest and best acts on the UK’s comedy circuit.

These include Strictly Come Dancing star Seann Walsh, James Acaster and Shappi Khorsandi.

Former Hampshire and England cricket captain David Gower leads the talks from personalities from the world of sport.

There are also talks from broadcasting with television and radio presenter Stuart Maconie, adventure with Sir Ranulph Fiennes and politics with former Conservative MP and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Ann Widdecombe.