WITH less than a month to go, thousands of tickets have already been sold for Salisbury Playhouse’s autumn season which promises popular classics and family fun alongside brand new plays from celebrated playwrights.

Internationally renowned playwrights Timberlake Wertenbaker, Howard Brenton, Anders Lustgarten and Sally Woodcock have been specially commissioned to write brand new, contemporary plays inspired by the Magna Carta.

Performed together in one evening, they form The Magna Carta Plays, which receives its world premiere in the Main House from October 22 to November 7.

The Magna Carta Plays will be directed by Salisbury Playhouse’s artistic director, Gareth Machin, and performed by an ensemble company of actors.

New writing is also celebrated in Bike, written by Katherine Mitchell who responded to a callout for emerging writers from the south west.

A sharp, touching yet very funny story about the ups and downs of a girl’s life as she grows up, Bike will be performed in The Salberg from October 7-17 as part of Salisbury Playhouse’s Original Drama programme.

Popular comedienne Jackie Clune, whose many stage credits include West End productions of Mamma Mia! and Billy Elliott as well as Henry IV and The Vote at the Donmar Warehouse, stars in Fallen Angels which opens the season in the Main House (September 10-October 3).

Noël Coward’s champagne-fuelled comedy of misbehaving wives will be directed by Jessica Swale, who has recently directed at Shakespeare’s Globe and The Watermill, Newbury.

There will be plenty of Christmas magic in the sparkling family pantomime Cinderella (December 2 – January 9).

With beautiful sets and costumes, a spectacular transformation scene and songs that audiences will know and love, this festive treat will delight young and old alike and will be Salisbury’s most magical pantomime ever.

Adam Penford, whose work includes Stepping Out at Salisbury Playhouse and A Small Family Business at the National Theatre, returns to direct Ira Levin’s nail-biting comedy thriller Deathtrap (February 4 – 27).

This record breaking and Tony Award-nominated play will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Visiting productions include Terence Rattigan’s World War II drama, Flare Path, the 50th anniversary tour of Round the Horne and a new play inspired by true events – Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern.

The Salberg has a wide range of styles, family entertainment, comedy and contemporary drama including Eventide by award-winning Salisbury playwright Barney Norris, the return of popular musical comedy duo Living Spit with Adolf & Winston, and a musical journey from rags to riches in Can’t Buy Me Love.

There are a wide range of productions to entertain the very young, from Hans Christian Andersen’s much-loved The Ugly Duckling to Breaking the Ice, an interactive wintry treat from London’s Unicorn theatre.

Visit salisburyplayhouse.com or call 01722 320333.