Incredibly it’s only a few weeks before the Mercury Theatre open their off-site venue on Abbey Field. Here’s just a few of the shows to look forward to in there. For tickets call 01206 573948 or go on-line at mercurytheatre.co.uk

1. Oliver, September 27 to October 12.

What a cracking way to get the season started with this joint production between the town’s operatic society and the Mercury. As well as the cast being jam packed with some of the town’s best community performers including Adam Woodhouse and Leanne Field, it will mark Ryan McBryde’s first show as the theatre’s new creative director.

2. Ross Noble Live, October 18.

If you’ve got a bit space to fill then get one of the best stand-ups in the country to fill it. This is an opportunity to see the wonderfully surreal musings of the Geordie comic before his mammoth 2020 tour. With his recent Olivier nomination he’ll be at home in a theatre even if it’s in a whopping big tent in a field.

3. Josh Widdecombe, October 23.

And talking of big comedy names, here’s another in telly favourite Josh, a regular on Channel 4’s The Last Leg, and one of only a handful of stand-ups who have been entrusted with their very own eponymous sitcom - high praise indeed. In his new show Bit Much? Josh grumbles and jokes such hot comedy topics as advent calendars, pesto and the closing time of his local park.

4. Avenue Q, November 5 to 9.

Watch the musical fireworks crackle with this puppet show that is definitely not for the gigs. With songs like Everyone’s A Little Bit Racist and ‘that’ scene, although it wasn’t that long ago it was staged at the theatre itself, in the big tent, it should prove to be a fabulous experience.

5. Cinderella, November 30 to January 5.

Well how remiss would it be to not mention the pantomime, since the whole Big Tent season is gearing up to it. Ryan’s back in the director’s chair and that glorious pairing of Dale Superville and Antony Stuart-Hicks also return, this time as the Ugly Sisters, Kylie and Miley. It’s going to blow the tent’s roof off.