The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds has announced an autumn season packed with “fantastic drama” and will once again be producing its own work.

The autumn season, which runs until February, features a solid core of high-quality drama – including Michael Morpurgo’s Private Peaceful – alongside a wide selection of music, entertainment, comedy, dance and fringe work.

One highlight will be the “heart-warming” You’re Never Too Old, coming straight from Edinburgh and starring Ian lavender, known for his iconic role as Pike in Dad’s Army, and Ruth Madoc, who was Gladys Pugh in Hi-De-Hi.

Another must-see show will be the returning Pride and Prejudice from Two Bit Classics.

The theatre is also “thrilled” to announce it will be producing its own work.

Teaming up with the Whepstead-based Original Theatre Company –which brought Birdsong to Bury in the spring – the theatre will be co-producing Three Men in a Boat.

In January the theatre will also be producing its own version of Sign of the Times, written by renowned playwright Tim Firth – known for Calendar Girls.

A highlight of the festive season will be the family pantomime Cinderella, but audiences will also be able to get into the Christmas spirit with Ballet Theatre UK’s Swan Lake, Clive Francis in A Christmas Carol and the theatre’s annual Christmas concert at St Mary’s Church.

Opera fans have the chance to enjoy Carmen from the Mid Wales Opera Company, and La Traviata from Olivier Award-winning company Opera Up Close. Music will also be celebrated with Songbird: The Music of Eva Cassidy, Buddy Holly and the Cricketers, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, an anniversary edition of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music, lunchtime concerts and Last Night of the Proms.

Family entertainment this autumn will include productions of the Princess and the Pea and Lionboy.

Meanwhile, Suffolk Stories – which celebrates Suffolk and Bury St Edmunds – will draw things closer to home in a duo of plays from Elizabeth Kuti.

For more details or tickets call 01284 769505 or visit www.theatreroyal.org.