DRAMA lovers are in for a treat this autumn as The Courtyard unveils a season featuring plenty of exciting drama, ranging from comic to cutting edge.

Oh What a Lovely War, The Courtyard’s autumn musical, runs until Saturday, September 20, the day on which the venue invites everyone to join in the 10th birthday celebrations at an open day, filled with free entertainment and birthday treats.

Next Tuesday sees the first of a wide range of interesting drama that will take to the stage in both the main house and the studio, as Trestle in collaboration with Increpacion Danza presents Lola, the story of an 19th century Spanish dancer.

On Saturday, September 27, Something and Nothing present Patrick and Bernardine, a sparkling comedy set in the entertainment industry.

On Wednesday, October 1, Bryony Lavery’s award-winning and challenging play, Frozen, is in the Studio.

A week later, John Godber’s hilarious and outrageous look at the 80s nightclub scene, Bouncers, arrives in the main house, and there is more comedy on Friday, October 17, with Tony and Twizzle – The Glory Years, a unique look at the cult of celebrity.

Dreamshed Theatre Company present I’ll Be Bert, a one-man play about growing up in post-war Manchester and the impact Bert Trautmann, City’s legendary German goalkeeper, had on a schoolboy.

Actor Nick Wilkes, who lives in Malvern, captures the reality of life as an out-of-work actor in Resting, which runs in the Studio from Wednesday, October 29, to Saturday, November 1.

The last two shows in a dramatic season are Girls Night from the Bottleneck Theatre Company from November 5-8 and one of BBC TV’s ‘grumpy old women’, Dillie Keane in an achingly funny and poignant play, My Brilliant Divorce on Saturday, November 8.

Drama apart, there’s plenty more on the programme as 2FaCeD Dance Company bring their sell-out show, Stage of Matter, to The Courtyard on November 3 and the internationally renowned OperaBabes return with their unmistakable brand of beautiful music and dazzling costumes.

l BRAND new this season is the launch of the Courtyard Cinema Club. On the first Monday of each month, the best of arthouse, indie and world cinema will be screened. Members of the club will enjoy featured movies at a special price. For full details of the Cinema Club visit courtyard.org.uk And for those who’d rather be doing than watching, The Courtyard also offers a range of regular classes, including Theatre Skills for Adults; Reading Room, a course for lovers of dramatic text led by guest directors; Writers Inc, for aspiring playwrights; Gentle Exercise (over-50s); and weekly drop-in dance-and-movement sessions for parents and toddlers which join the weekly family-music makers sessions.

There’s also yoga, contemporary dance for adults and The Courtyard Club, a monthly programme of activities for older and retired people.

For full details visit courtyard.org.uk or call 01432 340555 to request a brochure.