LEDBURY’S Market Theatre has unveiled its autumn programme as the popular venue roars back into life after months of pandemic restrictions.

 

Among the highlights of the season will be two productions by the theatre’s own LADS — Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society — and a pre-Christmas performance by the Ledbury Community Brass Band. 

 

Theatre chairman David Coker said he was delighted to be offering such a full programme. “We have been working very hard,” he said. “We have been open for a few events since June but we have now got a much larger programme and we are very much looking forward to welcoming people back to the theatre.”

 

Both of the LADS productions are currently being rehearsed. The first, Agnes of God, runs from September 8-11. Then, Hobson’s Choice runs from October 20-23.

 

Further live theatre comes courtesy of visiting companies including The Pantaloons with The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the Fetch Theatre’s Pedlar’s Tales and The Very Grimm Brothers with Unlocked.

 

A festive highlight will be a Christmas Carol Presented by Theatre Tours International in association with Maverick Theatre Company. This will be in Ledbury for one night only on December 17.

 

Movie buffs will be in for a treat with seven films on offer, including Cinema Paradiso, Nomadland, Eternal Beauty and Honeyland.

 

There will also be plenty of live music, with performances by Budapest Café Orchestra, Gigspanner, The Elvis Songbook and Moscow Drug Club.

 

Community events will include A Christmas With Friends, an evening of festive stories, legends and flowers presented by the town’s flower club. There will also be a free evening called On Your Doorstep. This was developed by Arts Alive and Media Active as part of a three-year Creative Conversations project with older people.

 

Townsfolk can expect a welcome “thud” as a paper copy of the programme lands on their doorstep within the coming days. Those further afield can find full details of the season’s offering by visiting themarkettheatre.com.

 

All tickets must be pre-paid, and cannot be bought on the door. For safety reasons, the theatre’s bar is not currently open, but a “bar in your seat” option may soon be available.