Melvyn Bragg, is up in Kendal next week to open the new Brewery Arts Centre autumn season.

Friday, September 7 (8pm).

Yet again it is an exciting season down at the Brewery with a strong programme of performing arts in store.

On Sunday, September 30 (8pm), Opera Della Luna stages Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore - a classic English comic opera and a new production.

Pimlico Opera, return to the region with one of the country's best-loved operas - Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutte - on Friday, October 5 (7.30pm).

There are some cracking theatrical events coming up, too.

Notably, Look Back in Anger, from John Osbourne, performed by the London Classic Theatre Company on Tuesday, October 2 (8pm).

Gerry Mulgrew returns to the Brewery on Tuesday and Wednesday, September 18/19, with Out of the Box Productions, directing Ay Carmela, a play set in the Spanish Civil War, focusing on the theatrical lives of cabaret artistes Carmela and Paulino.

Dance is another Brewery strength and this season three productions take to the arts centre's stage: Cwmni Ballet revives its acclaimed production of Shakepeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream on November 21 and next month (October 16) Union Dance Company presents an evening of individual and collective portraits, examining ideas of identity through live performance, moving visuals, computer graphics and Union's martial arts-influenced choreographic style.

For the family, Theatre Alibi performs Why the Whales Came, based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, on November 19.

There's The Song from the Sea telling the story of how to listen to the magic of everyday life on Sunday, October 14 (2pm and 3.30pm performances).

On the classical music front there is the Royal Northern College of Music Recitals which kick-off on Sunday, October 21, with the Stadler Trio.

This is a list of highlights.

For full programme details call 01539-725133.