Comedy, theatre, music and opera are on the line-up for Dorchester Arts' autumn season, taking place in four venues across Dorchester and Sherborne.

In addition to its main venue, the Corn Exchange, it has several major performances scheduled for the new Hardye Theatre, which seats up to 400 and is a new arts resource for the town. The beautiful acoustic of St Mary's is a must for a Christmas choral concert and Dorchester Arts will also be presenting a music performance, featuring Lucy Parham and its patron Dame Harriet Walter, in Sherborne in October.

A spokesman for Dorchester Arts said: "This will be the most extensive season Dorchester Arts has presented since 2019 and is full of star quality - Isata Kanneh-Mason, Lucy Parham, Dame Harriet Walter - huge bands - Ronnie Scott's All Stars, Pasadena Roof Orchestra - family friendly shows - Tooob, The Lost Present - comedy and cabaret - Jen Bristow, Charlie Bicknell, A&E Comedy - and firm favourites - Frank Griffiths, Craig Ogden, Living Spit. 

"There are also special talks and film showings, from Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist, to a talk by Touching the Void mountaineer Simon Yates and a special night celebrating all things vinyl with Dorchester's own Vinyl Van."

With a major fundraiser in November and plenty of festive shows too, look out for the new season brochure for full details or visit dorchesterarts.org.uk