AS the evenings draw in, Dorchester Arts guarantees to keep you entertained, with a brand new season of comedy, music and theatre.

Big names, old favourites and new faces will feature throughout the coming months, with musical performances by Sheku Kanneh-Mason, entertaining evenings with Jonathan Agnew and Alan Johnson, observational comedy from Harriet Kemsley and dance from jaw-dropping acrobats, Jolie Vyann.

On Friday, October 4, Opera Anywhere will present Patience, a light opera by Gilbert and Sullivan featuring a cast of talented young singers. The masterpiece follows the Aesthetic Movement of the 1880s, with willowy poets, sighing maidens and burly officers galore. Then, on Wednesday, October 16, Dorchester Arts and the Dorset Volunteer Centre join forces for an evening of words and music that aims to raise awareness about men's mental health while raising funds for Dorset Mind. The event, Braveface, celebrates the life of Andy Jacobs, a dedicated volunteer with both organisations.

On Saturday, November 9, Billy Rowan - aka The Undercover Hippy - will take to the stage, his music bringing together powerful messages and infectious reggae rhythms. Renowned for the electric atmosphere of their live shows, Billy and his band have performed at some of the UK’s best festivals, including Glastonbury, Boomtown and The Secret Garden.

For a comedy fix, look no further than Enter the Dragons, performed by A&E Theatre on Friday, November 22. The riotous show explores the myths about getting older, as the protagonist embarks on the quest to halt the ageing process.

Festive celebrations get underway on Sunday, December 1, with a performance of Christmas Gothic by Dyad Productions. Resurrecting a ghostly Victorian tradition, the event will present three seasonal tales of terror to haunt audiences throughout the long winter nights. On a lighter note, The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness, produced by Squashbox Theatre, arrives on Sunday, December 15. With a spectacular celebration of everything Christmassy, audiences will meet a snowman who lives in a fridge, learn about Yuletide traditions, hear the story of the very first Christmas Tree and even explore some festive science.

These are only a handful of the Dorchester Arts events taking place this autumn. For the full programme, as well as details of times and tickets, visit www.dorchesterarts.org.uk.