Richmond Theatre has put the finishing touches to its autumn and winter programme and RT2 can reveal what the rest of the year has in store for theatre lovers.

Revivals of classic plays, of a serious and a comic nature, are well represented on the schedule and fans of stand-up comedy, political debate and childrens’ theatre are also well-catered for.

Stars including Matt Lucas, Neil Morrissey and Felicity Kendal will be treading the boards over the comingmonths. Here’s our guide to some of the highlights of the season.

Theatre

Matt Lucas, star of Little Britain, will play Joe Orton’s lover and murderer Kenneth Halliwell in Prick Up Your Ears in August, prior to the show’s West End run.

Simon Bent’s new play is set in the pair's Islington home and is based on John Lahr’s biography and the diaries of Orton. Chris New will star alongside Lucas as Orton in the production that runs from August 26-29.

Felicity Kendal returns to the theatre to appear in the title role in George Bernard Shaw’s comedy Mrs Warren’s Profession (November 16-21) and Neil Morrissey, best known for playing loveable idiot Tony in Men Behaving Badly, will star in Rain Man (October 26-31).

Gilbert and Sullivan lovers can enjoy Jo Brand in Pirates of Penzance (September 15-19) in a production by Carl Rosa Opera, the company that brought The Mikado to Richmond last year.

Other classics on offer include a revival of Molière’s The Hypochondriac at the end of September, Shared Experience’s version of Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, and a new adaptation of Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana.

Comedy

The pick of the comedy bunch is Stewart Lee, who will be performing his Edinburgh show, If You Prefer A Milder Comedian, Please Ask For One, on November 22.

In the 90s, Lee starred alongside Richard Herring in a number of popular TV shows. He also upset fundalmentalist christians by writing Jerry Springer The Opera and, over the past decade, has established himself as one of Britain’s foremost stand-ups.

He exhibited his talent for deadpan, thought provoking stand-up in his recent TV series, Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle. Expect more of the same at Richmond.

Simon Amstell, best known for his stint hosting TV’s Nevermind the Buzzcocks, will perform his stand-up show at the theatre on October 4.

While fans of old-school humour can enjoy a tribute to popular 60s radio show Round the Horne in September.

Kids

Michael Rosen’s picture book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt will be brought to life from October 28-31, while the Tweenies will be heading to Richmond for their Top of the Tots show on August 6-9.

The year will be rounded off with the ever-popular family pantomime. This year it will be Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Jane Asher, Tim Vine, and Sapphire Elia.

Also showing...

Twickenham MP Vince Cable will appear at the theatre on November 8 to discuss his book, The Storm, an event that is part of the Book Now festival. In Auguvst, Any Dream Will Do finalist Craig Chalmers will don the coat of many colours to star in Joseph and Fascinating Aida makes a return to the theatre on October 18.

For more information on these and more shows, visit ambassadortickets.com/ richmond-theatre