THE Theatre Royal, which is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its rebirth, is set to welcome a host of performers to Winchester.

They will include comedians Rob Brydon and Ed Byrne along with I’m a Celebrity… winner Christopher Biggins.

Launching the autumn season on Sunday, October 2 will be a special party for children who turn 10-years-old this year.

Youngsters sharing the age of the revamped theatre will be able to transform themselves into pirates and vampires.

The party will then be followed by children’s drama Vampirates, which is described as Pirates of the Caribbean meets Twilight.

The following day there will be a 10th anniversary gala performance by Ballet Black at the venue in Jewry Street.

Several comedians will also be visiting Winchester during the autumn schedule.

It includes Ed Byrne on Wednesday, October 5, Mark Watson on Friday, October 28 and Jason Byrne on Thursday, November 3.

Rob Brydon’s visit will be on Saturday, November 5 for a 1pm matinee, and all tickets have already sold out.

He will be followed by Tom Stade on Tuesday, November 15 and Chris Addison on Saturday, November 26.

Some talented women will also be treading the boards with a mixture of drama and cabaret.

The shows include I, Elizabeth where Rebecca Vaughan of Austen’s Women fame explores the Tudor monarch’s battle to balance womanhood and sovereignty.

It will be performed on Friday, September 30 and followed by the comedy What Would Helen Mirren Do? on Wednesday, October 12.

It will be directed by Peter Ellis, also known as Chief Superintendent Brownlow in The Bill, and stars his wife, Anita Parry.

Drama during the autumn includes the London Classic Theatre’s production of Equus from Thursday, October 20 to Saturday, October 22.

The play is a psychological thriller about a 17-year-old convicted of a bizarre crime.

Scamp Theatre will then perform Michael Morpurgo’s wartime story for youngsters, Friend or Foe, on Tuesday, November 1 and Wednesday, November 2.

Then from Thursday, November 17 to Saturday, November 19, Mappa Mundi’s production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing will come to Winchester.

The one-night shows include Fascinating Aida on Friday, November 4 and An Evening with Christopher Biggins on Sunday, October 9.

There will also be Penny Dreadful’s Etherdrome on Sunday, October 23, an original comedy about the discovery of pain relief.

Live music at the theatre will include Clare Teal on Saturday, October 15 and Ralph McTell on Saturday, October 29.

Other concerts include The Blues Band on the evening of Saturday, November 5 and Blazin’ Fiddles on Sunday, November 13.

Family events include The Honey Honey Show on Wednesday, October 26, an Abba tribute show featuring the mischievous Benny Bear and original members of Bjorn Again.

The autumn season will end with this year’s pantomime, Cinderella.

It was also performed the first season that the theatre reopened and featured rising Bishop’s Waltham star Amanda Holden.

This year’s pantomime – created by James Barry and Simon Slater – will feature some familiar faces from previous festive shows.

They will include Julian Eardley, who was Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, and Serena Giacomini, who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.

Cinderella will run from Wednesday, December 7 to Monday, January 2.

For more details about the autumn shows visit www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk call the box office on 01962 840440.