CRAMMED full of adventure, romance, comedy and, of course, one or two rather brilliant deductions Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four is at The Haymarket from Thursday, 1 to Saturday, 3 November.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s epic Sherlock Holmes tale is brought to life in this spectacular new stage adaptation.

When Mary Morstan arrives at 221B Baker Street to request help with the mystery of her missing father, Holmes takes the case.

Together with his companion Dr Watson, he enters a murky world of deception and trickery, unravelling a complex plot involving murder, corruption and stolen jewels.

Director Nick Lane said: “I don't think I know anyone over the age of ten who doesn't know at least the name Sherlock Holmes.

"He is part of the literary fabric of this country - hugely popular and hugely adaptable - and his cases with Watson are a blueprint for so many crime novels, films, television shows and theatre.

"We have approached this adaptation in a stylised way which will appeal to avid fans of the novel as well as those who simply want to come to the theatre and enjoy a rattling good crime story.”

Don’t miss Blackeyed Theatre’s stunning world premiere of Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four with original live music, stylish theatricality and magical story-telling.

The Vienna Tonkünstler Orchestra makes a very welcome return to The Anvil on Thursday, 1 November.

The concert begins with the jaunty overture to Bernstein’s hit show On the Town which follows three sailors in New York.

This is followed by Beethoven’s brilliant and powerful last piano concerto no 5.

The evening closes with Sibelius’ fifth and most well-known symphony.

London-based pianist Angela Hewitt joins the orchestra with its music director Yutaka Sado conducting.

Shakespeare Schools Festival returns to The Haymarket from Monday, 5 to Wednesday, 7 November and Anvil Arts is delighted that the Shakespeare Schools Foundation is once again bringing children from local schools to appear on stage.

This is the world’s largest youth drama festival and is an opportunity to see Shakespeare’s timeless stories brought to life like never before.

Excerpts from Romeo and Juliet, Twelth Night, Hamlet, The Tempest, The Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth will be performed by pupils from Overton Primary School, The Loddon Foundation Ltd, Kempshott Junior School, Micheldever Primary, and Limington House School.

Come and support the young people from your community as they take to the stage.

For more information or for tickets, go to anvilarts.org.uk or call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.