THE full summer season at The Anvil is now on sale and there are some cracking shows coming to Basingstoke.

Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, on May 1, features Gilson Lavis.

They are joined by special guests Pauline Black and Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson from The Selecter, and guest vocalists Ruby Turner, Louise Marshall and Mabel Ray complete a fantastic line-up. Support comes from Adam Double.

The Anvil will be celebrating its 25th birthday on May 3 with a spectacular birthday concert performed by the Philharmonia Orchestra.

The programme will feature bright young star Sheku Kanneh-Mason performing Elgar's Cello Concerto, and the world premiere of Breathing Space, a new commission by highly-rated British composer Samantha Fernando.

Rick Wakeman returns by popular demand on June 1 with a new show that combines spellbinding piano music with side-splitting humour and revealing insights into his 50-plus-year career. Expect an evening of superb musicianship, featuring music from Yes, Rick’s own solo epics and early Bowie hits, plus fantastic arrangements of Beatles’ tunes and much more.

Menopause The Musical, on June 6, stars Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) and Katherine Lynch (RTÉ's Wagons Den).

The show packed full of one-liners about night sweats, hot flushes and memory loss is backed by an instantly recognisable soundtrack of innuendo-laden versions of 1960s, 1970s and 1980s pop hits. An all-singing, all-dancing comedy set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common meet by chance and make fun of their woeful lives as they soon bond.

Michael Palin comes to The Anvil on June 8 in his show Erebus, Python and Other Stories. To celebrate the release of his new book Erebus: The Story of a Ship, Monty Python star and much-loved television globe-trotter Palin brings to life the story of Antarctic explorer ship HMS Erebus and tells his own life story, including how his three favourite subjects at school (geography, history and comedy) have shaped his life, from Monty Python to Ripping Yarns and more.

The Chineke! Orchestra, performing on June 14, is Europe's first orchestra to feature a majority of black and minority ethnic musicians. It has performed throughout the UK and abroad to great acclaim and continues to fulfil its mission to champion change and celebrate diversity in classical music. Included in the programme are Grieg and Dvořàk.

On June 21, Reginald D Hunter marks his 20th anniversary as a comedian living and performing in the UK with his highly anticipated new show. His searingly honest material has garnered him a popular fan base that spans the generations. His television appearances include Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

For details of all the shows now on sale visit anvilarts.org.uk or call the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.