The onset of autumn need not be depressing - there's plenty of local entertainment on offer to keep everyone entertained as the nights start to draw in...Cheer yourself up with a comedy performance from the likes of Ken Dodd, Joe Pasquale or the Midlands' own Jasper Carrott, or savour a taste of more exotic climes with some Latin beats, Cajun music or energetic Japanese drumming.

However, there is something of a dark theme running through various theatrical performances, notably an Elizabethan melodrama, the grisly tale of Sweeney Todd, and a ghoulish case for Sherlock Holmes - then there's more tragedy with two of Shakespeare's greatest plays.

Concerts include a visit from Alice Cooper, plus a selection of heavy rock bands in the Taste of Chaos event, but there is a lighter side to proceedings with performances from Tony Christie and Shakin' Stevens. Other enduring musicians making an appearance are Ray Davies, Bobby Vee and the legendary Bob Dylan.

Events this season include a bonfire and firework display at Weston Park, the International Horse of the Year Show and a collectors' fair, while petrol-heads will appreciate the Classic Motor Show and Motorcycle and Scooter Show. The Birmingham Tattoo and a Royal Air Force concert mark 60 years since WWII ended, and there are further wartime memories in We'll Meet Again.

Until Saturday October 22

A stylish production of ROMEO & JULIET at the Birmingham Rep.

Wednesday October 5 - Saturday October 8

Birmingham Royal Ballet presents SOLITAIRE, CHECKMATE and THE LADY & THE FOOL, three works by 20th century choreographers, at the Hippodrome.

Friday October 7 - Sunday October 15

There are still tickets available for BEWDLEY FESTIVAL, which features many interesting events including An Audience with Ian Lavender on October 8. For up-to-date ticket availability, visit www.bewdleyfestival.org.uk or call 01299 403355.

Saturday October 8

RAY DAVIES & HIS BAND make an appearance at Symphony Hall.

Malvern Theatres presents children's production THE SNOW DRAGON.

ALVIN STARDUST and his band provide an evening of rock 'n' roll hits at Huntingdon Hall.

Monday October 10 - Tuesday October 11

The Swan Theatre presents Edwardian-set drama THE MYSTERIOUS MR LOVE.

Tuesday October 11 - Saturday October 15

Anita Dobson appears in a production of HAMLET at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Wednesday October 12

STEVE HARLEY & COCKNEY REBEL perform at Symphony Hall.

Wednesday October 12 - Saturday October 15

The Hippodrome hosts Birmingham Royal Ballet as they perform HOBSON'S CHOICE, based on a comedy of Northern life.

Wednesday October 12 - Sunday October 16

The NEC hosts the biggest ever HORSE OF THE YEAR SHOW.

Friday October 14 - Saturday October 15

A visually exciting production of Hans Christian Andersen's THE NIGHTINGALE at the Birmingham Rep.

Friday October 14 - Sunday October 16

The NEC hosts the NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW.

Sunday October 16

Symphony Hall hosts a family concert, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 MINUTES, fronted by BBC Midlands Today's Michael Collie. Come in fancy dress or national costume!

Monday October 17

The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton presents WE'LL MEET AGAIN, a nostalgic celebration of wartime music.

Tuesday October 18 - Friday October 19

The REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY turn their manic attentions to Hollywood in a brand new show at Malvern's Forum Theatre.

The Jansen Ensemble perform Vivaldi's FOUR SEASONS at Symphony Hall.

Tuesday October 18 - Saturday October 22

Boisterous dance group STOMP appear at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Worcester Operatic & Dramatic Society perform SWEENEY TODD at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Jacqueline Wilson's popular children's book MIDNIGHT comes to the stage at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Black comedy A BRIEF HISTORY OF HELEN OF TROY comes to the Birmingham Rep.

Thursday October 20

Shakespeare 4Kids presents ROMEO & JULIET at Malvern's Forum Theatre.

The BARRON KNIGHTS perform at the Swan Theatre, with new material.

Friday October 21

TV comedy favourites THE LEAGUE OF GENTLEMEN bring their warped creations to the NIA Academy.

Symphony Hall presents THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR PROMS, a concert to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the event.

The Swan Theatre presents mind-boggling live show PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS.

The Rose Theatre in Kidderminster presents GREAT EXPECTATIONS.

Saturday October 22 - Sunday October 23

The COLLECT IT collectors' fair comes to the NEC.

Sunday October 23

A musical tour through the 50s, 60s and 70s in THAT'LL BE THE DAY at the Alexandra Theatre.

Monday October 24 - Tuesday October 25

Sherlock Holmes investigates THE ATHENAEUM GHOUL at the Swan Theatre.

Monday October 24 - Saturday October 29

Popular musical SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS comes to the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Nigel Havers stars in REBECCA at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

The Everyman Theatre presents the classic story of ANNIE.

Tuesday October 25

Malvern's Forum Theatre presents the thundering rhythms of the MUGENKYO TAIKO DRUMMERS.

Wednesday October 26 - Sunday November 6

Mickey and Minnie Mouse take you on a magical world tour as DISNEY ON ICE returns to the NIA.

Thursday October 27

Huntingdon Hall presents QUIMANTU - LATIN WORLD BEATS.

Thursday October 27 - Saturday October 29

Favourite funnyman KEN DODD performs at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Friday October 28 - Monday October 31

Verdi's masterpiece RIGOLETTO comes to Malvern's Forum Theatre.

Friday October 28 - Saturday November 12

Timothy West stars in the title rle of Bertolt Brecht's THE LIFE OF GALILEO at the Birmingham Rep.

Saturday October 29 - Sunday November 6

Fun on two wheels as the NEC presents the INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE & SCOOTER SHOW.

Sunday October 30

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE IN CONCERT at Symphony Hall celebrates 60 years since WWII ended.

Monday October 31

'King of the Jungle' JOE PASQUALE appears at the Wolverhampton Grand.

Martin Shaw stars in A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS at the Festival Theatre, Malvern.

The Swan Theatre presents COOKING WITH ELVIS, a play celebrating sex, cooking and 'The King'.

Friday November 4

Irish comedian ARDAL O'HANLON brings his new stand-up show to Huntingdon Hall.

Friday November 4 - Sunday November 6

The CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW arrives at the NEC.

Saturday November 5

Enjoy the world's best rock anthems in VAMPIRES ROCK at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Showcasing tracks from their new album, SIMPLY RED visit the NEC Arena.

Audience participation at the Swan Theatre in children's show THE JESTER & THE WICKED WITCH.

Sunday November 6

Weston Park hosts a BONFIRE & FIREWORK EXTRAVAGANZA for all the family.

Monday November 7 - Saturday November 12

Stephanie Cole stars as Mrs Malaprop in classic comedy THE RIVALS at Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre presents classic family musical ANNIE.

Classic 70s satire ABIGAIL'S PARTY comes to Kidderminster's Rose Theatre.

Tuesday November 8

A night of heavy rock music at the NIA with TASTE OF CHAOS, featuring a number of top bands.

Wednesday November 9

ALICE COOPER & TWISTED SISTER perform at the NEC Arena.

Wednesday November 9 - Saturday November 12

Malvern's Forum Theatre presents THE REVENGER'S TRAGDIE, an Elizabethan-style play filled with murders and poisonings.

Thursday November 10

Jazz sensation JAMIE CULLUM plays a debut concert at the NIA Academy.

Thursday November 10 - Sunday November 13

Jasper Carrott hosts ROCK WITH LAUGHTER at the NEC Arena, with comedy and music and featuring special guests Lenny Henry and Bill Bailey.

Friday November 11

Legendary Motown groups THE FOUR TOPS and THE TEMPTATIONS play at the NIA Academy as part of a new UK tour.

Friday November 11 - Saturday December 3

The Birmingham Rep presents ONLY THE LONELY, an incisive play based on the fear of being alone.

Saturday November 12

Acclaimed vocalist MICHAEL BUBL returns to the NIA Academy with more contemporary interpretations of popular songs.

Symphony Hall welcomes MOSCOW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, playing music by Tchaikovsky.

The hugely popular SING-A-LONG-A-SOUND OF MUSIC comes to the Swan Theatre.

Monday November 14

The NIA Academy presents a special concert with the EVERLEY BROTHERS, including an interactive acoustic set and then a full live band.

Monday November 14 - Saturday November 19

Rosemary Leach stars in comedy THE KINGFISHER at the Festival Theatre in Malvern.

Tuesday November 15

Huntingdon Hall hosts AN EVENING WITH BOBBY VEE, also featuring Chris Montez and Johnny Preston.

Tuesday November 15 - Saturday November 19

Kneehigh Theatre's acclaimed production of TRISTAN & YSEULT comes to the Birmingham Rep.

From Wednesday 16 November

The RSC present Part One of Chaucer's CANTERBURY TALES at the Swan Theatre.

FRANZ FERDINAND play the NEC Arena.

Thursday November 17

Comeback king TONY CHRISTIE performs at Symphony Hall, joined by special guests.

Friday November 18

The legend that is BOB DYLAN returns to the NEC Arena for one night only.

R CAJUN & THE ZYDECO BROTHERS bring the sounds of Louisiana to Huntingdon Hall.

Tuesday November 22 - Saturday November 26

Willy Russell's smash-hit EDUCATING RITA comes to the Swan Theatre.

From Wednesday November 23

Part Two of the CANTERBURY TALES from the RSC at the Swan Theatre.

Thursday November 24

A performance by SHAKIN' STEVENS at the Forum Theatre, Malvern.

Friday November 25

Huntingdon Hall plays host to Paul Jones' BLUES BAND.

Saturday November 26 - Sunday November 27

The spectacular BIRMINGHAM TATTOO marks the 60th anniversary of VE Day at the NIA with military bands and display teams.

BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES!

Wednesday November 30 - Tuesday January 31

The Birmingham Rep presents THE WIZARD OF OZ. (Includes 'Off To Oz' nights on Dec 9 and 22 and Jan 3 and 18, when the audience are encouraged to dress up and sing along!)

Friday December 2 - Saturday January 7

The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury presents SLEEPING BEAUTY.

Friday December 2 - Saturday January 14

Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre presents JACK & THE BEANSTALK.

Wednesday December 7 - Wednesday December 28

The story of JACK & THE BEANSTALK also comes to the Swan Theatre.

Friday December 16 - Sunday January 8

Ron Moody stars in PETER PAN at Malvern Theatres.

Saturday December 17 - Saturday January 14

John Challis stars in ALADDIN at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Wednesday December 21 - Sunday January 29

Another version of PETER PAN, at the Hippodrome, starring Joe Pasquale.

Thursday January 12 - Saturday January 28

The Norbury Theatre presents a traditional Chinese treatment of ALADDIN.