There's plenty in the way of Shakespeare as we head towards autumn, with performers coming from as far afield as Brazil and the USA as well as all over the UK, while Patrick Stewart appears in two separate plays. Another double-header comes courtesy of Alan Bennett, with two of his comedies coming to a stage near you, plus there's more madcap comedy in One Man Star Wars.

For younger audiences, some of the TV favourites checking in are Thomas the Tank Engine, Tractor Tom and Dora the Explorer, while the Chart Tribute Show is a new pop musical for youngsters. Classic show Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be a treat for the whole family, and other musicals doing the rounds include Buddy, Chicago and West Side Story.

Dance fans will love productions such as Magic of the Dance, Tango Fire, and the ballet Sleeping Beauty, while jazz aficionados will find plenty to enjoy at the Jazzamatazz festival featuring Humphrey Lyttelton and Elkie Brooks. Meanwhile Symphony Hall's weekly Rush Hour Blues concerts take advantage of the late summer to move outdoors.

Now until Saturday September 2

The Hippodrome presents classic family musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG.

Now until Tuesday October 10

As part of the year-long Complete Works Festival in which the RSC and invited theatre companies will perform all of Shakespeare's plays and poems, the RSC presents KING JOHN at the Swan Theatre, Stratford (selected dates), plus JULIUS CAESAR at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Now until Thursday October 12

The RSC presents MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Stratford's Swan Theatre (selected dates) while Patrick Stewart stars with the RSC in THE TEMPEST at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Now until Saturday October 14 (selected dates)

The RSC performs ANTONY & CLEOPATRA at the Swan Theatre, also starring Patrick Stewart, and ROMEO & JULIET at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Now until Saturday October 21

The RSC performs HENRY VI (PARTS I, II & III) at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre.

Monday August 7 - Saturday August 12

MAGIC OF THE DANCE comes to Malvern's Festival Theatre.

Tuesday August 8 - Saturday August 12

Henry James' WASHINGTON SQUARE comes to Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Wednesday August 9 - Thursday August 10

Outrageous comedy with ROY CHUBBY BROWN at the Forum Theatre, Malvern.

Friday August 11 - Friday September 1

Symphony Hall's RUSH HOUR BLUES concerts take place each Friday, moving outdoors to Brindleyplace during the summer.

Saturday August 12 - Sunday August 13

Everyone's favourite train rolls into the NIA in THOMAS & FRIENDS LIVE!

The SUMMER MEMORABILIA SHOW takes place at the NEC.

Monday August 14 - Saturday August 19

Popular musical BUDDY arrives at the Festival Theatre.

Thursday August 17 - Sunday August 20

A FESTIVAL OF QUILTS takes place at the NEC.

Thursday August 17 - Saturday August 26

Washington's Shakespeare Theatre performs LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST at the Swan Theatre in Stratford (RSC).

Friday August 18

Openwide Theatre perform THE TOWN MOUSE & THE COUNTRY MOUSE at the Artrix.

HUMPHREY LYTTELTON and ELKIE BROOKS join forces as part of the Jazzamatazz weekend at Malvern's Forum Theatre.

Saturday August 19

More Jazzamatazz with the SYD LAWRENCE ORCHESTRA at the Forum Theatre.

The Artrix presents the DR TEETH BIG BAND.

Sunday August 20

The Forum Theatre's Jazzamatazz weekend concludes with the COTTON CLUB REVUE.

The NEC hosts a TOY COLLECTORS' FAIR.

Monday August 21 - Saturday August 26

James Fleet stars in Alan Bennett's comedy HABEAS CORPUS at the Festival Theatre.

Tuesday August 22

The Palace Theatre presents a new kids' pop musical, THE CHART TRIBUTE SHOW.

Wednesday August 23 - Thursday August 24

The Festival Players present HAMLET at the Swan Theatre in Worcester (RSC).

Wednesday August 23 - Saturday August 26

Local youngsters perform WEST SIDE STORY at the Alexandra Theatre.

Wednesday August 23 - Saturday September 2

Theatre company AandBC performs HENRY VIII at Stratford's Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is buried (RSC).

Saturday August 26

Kids aged 3-7 will love TRACTOR TOM AND THE TREASURE HUNT at the Palace Theatre.

Sunday August 27

Brazilian community theatre company Nos Do Morro perform TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA at the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford (RSC).

Monday August 28

Tribute band COMPLETE MADNESS pay homage to the nutty boys at Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Huntingdon Hall presents A FEAST OF GILBERT & SULLIVAN.

Wednesday August 30 - Sunday September 3

TV character DORA THE EXPLORER is live on stage at the Alexandra Theatre in a pirate adventure.

Thursday August 31 - Saturday September 9

The RSC and Edinburgh International Festival present TROILUS & CRESSIDA at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Thursday August 31 - Saturday September 16

Alan Bennett's THE HISTORY BOYS comes to the Birmingham Rep.

Friday September 1

The Artrix hosts rock group THE HAMSTERS, playing the music of Hendrix and ZZ Top.

Monday September 4

Students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Dance perform ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL at the Swan Theatre in Stratford (RSC).

Tuesday September 5

Also at the Swan, a performance of MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (RSC).

Tuesday September 5 - Sunday September 10

The Alexandra Theatre presents WALLOP MRS COX, a true Brummie story about survival.

Wednesday September 6 - Saturday September 9

The Norbury Theatre presents IN AT THE DEEP END, a comedy set on a health farm.

Friday September 8

The Swan Theatre hosts the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, performing RICHARD III (RSC).

Sunday September 10

Argentine dance show TANGO FIRE arrives at the Forum Theatre.

Monday September 11

The Guildhall School of Music & Drama presents THE TEMPEST at Stratford's Swan Theatre (RSC).

Monday September 11 - Friday September 15

Wolverhampton Youth Music Theatre presents GUYS & DOLLS at the Arena Theatre.

Wednesday September 13

Also at the Swan, a performance of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS by the Royal Welsh College of Music & Dance (RSC).

The Grand Theatre presents the 60-minute ONE MAN STAR WARS.

Wednesday September 13 - Saturday September 16

Theatre Royal Bath performs MEASURE FOR MEASURE at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre (RSC).

Friday September 15

English Youth Ballet perform SLEEPING BEAUTY at the Grand Theatre.

Symphony Hall presents popular classics in the CBSO Benevolent Fund concert, PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION.

Saturday September 16

Also at Symphony Hall, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform Mahler's SYMPHONY OF A THOUSAND.

Monday September 18 - Saturday September 23

The Hippodrome presents THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE.

Wednesday September 20 - Saturday September 23

The Rep presents SUGAR MUMMIES, a tale of female sex tourism in Jamaica.

Wednesday September 20 - Saturday September 30

Kneehigh Theatre present their interpretation of CYMBELINE at Stratford's Swan Theatre (RSC).

Thursday September 21

JOHNNY MATHIS celebrates 50 years as a recording artist with a concert at the NEC Arena.

The Arena Theatre presents CAPTAIN CORELLI'S MANDOLIN.

Tuesday September 26 - Saturday October 7

Hugely popular musical CHICAGO comes to the Alexandra Theatre.

Thursday September 28 - Friday September 29

Worcester's Swan Theatre hosts the New Triad Theatre Company with their production of MACBETH (RSC).

Theatre contact details

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham: 0870 607 7533

Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 321321

Artrix, Bromsgrove: 01527 577330

Birmingham Hippodrome: 0870 730 1234

Birmingham Repertory Theatre: 0121 236 4455

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 429212

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester: 01905 611427

Malvern Theatres: 01684 892277

NEC, Birmingham: 0870 909 4133

NIA, Birmingham: 0121 780 4444

Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa: 01905 795619

Palace Theatre, Redditch: 01527 65203

Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC): 0870 609 1110

Swan Theatre, Worcester: 01905 611427

Symphony Hall, Birmingham: 0121 780 3333