THE new season at Central Studio welcomes old favourites in addition to some new theatrical, musical and comedic performers.

The latter line-up sees long-established acts such as Miles Jupp, Sean Hughes and Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis pop in to the theatre, on the QMC Campus. Punt & Dennis’ performance will be an exclusive pre-tour warm up show on December 13.

Northern Irish 1980s icon Jimmy Cricket’s Value For A Tenner visit on November 15 is sure to prove that he’s lost none of his talent or energy. He’ll present a credit crunch busting show crammed with fun and frivolity.

And award-winning Radio 4 star Jo Caulfield’s Better the Devil You Know on September 27 is sure to be full of her typically razor-sharp observations and scandalous stories.

The Saturday Live line-up of accessible and affordable children’s theatre at the venue has always been outstanding and this season is set to be no different.

First up is Nice on October 5, a story of friendship and the endless possibilities of the imagination, and later shows include There’s A Monster in My Piano, Merlin and the Frost Dragon, Christmas Is Coming and 1,2,3 Little Pigs.

Basingstoke’s own Proteus theatre company invite you to follow them down the rabbit hole to Wonderland for amazing adventures with Alice from October 31 until November 2 - oh, and tea, of course. Their trademark fusion of music, physical theatre, circus and puppetry will create an anarchic, magical and mad-as-a-hatter version of Lewis Carroll’s classic tales Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through The Looking Glass.

No storm in a teacup, this show promises to provide all your six impossible things a day, so whatever you do – don’t be late!

Central Studio can also host children’s birthday parties on the days of the Saturday Live performances – full details are on the website.

Musically, acclaimed tribute acts join up-and-coming artists and fan favourites. Martyn Joseph returns on November 23 whilst the Jon Walsh Blues Band are back in town on November 9.

Best tribute act of 2012 Purple Zeppelin, who pay homage to two of the greatest rock bands of all time - at the same time - will perform their full on two-and-a-half hour show, featuring over 30 songs, on November 30.  

Or why not go back in time to the 1960s and early’70s with The Mods on February 22 next year? Expect classics from The Who, Small Faces, The Kinks, Spencer Davies, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and many more.  

Theatrically, there are some gems waiting to be mined from this season’s programme including Romeo & Juliet on September 25, the marvellous and mysterious 100 on October 17 or the comedic thriller I‘m An Aristocrat...Get Me Out of Here on November 22. You’ll be amazed at the latter’s sword fights, heart wrenching love scenes and sensational death-defying French accents.

Startling WW1 piece Woyzeck, which comes to the studio on February 28 at 7.30pm, is a must-see, adapting Georg Buchner’s play about a lowly soldier plagued by visions of the apocalypse into a fusion of gothic storytelling, puppetry, music and song.  

QMC’s performing arts and music students will combine forces for the college’s annual production in February. This year, they’ll tackle the school edition of Victor Hugo’s epic Les Miserables from February 12-15.  

And make a date to support local filmmaking talent at the Red Carpet Screenings events on October 26 and January 25.

Full details of all events are available from 01256 418318 or online at centralstudio.co.uk. Tickets can be booked online for no additional booking fee.