IT'S the turn of Stratford's amateur performers to tread in the footsteps of the most famous townsperson of them all.

The RSC has launched its Autumn Visitors' Season, which is featuring a triple bill of the best of local stage fare.

It begins on October 26 with one of the country's best loved musicals, My Fair Lady, which Stratford Operatic Society is taking to the RST stage.

And it is introducing a new star for its new production, in the shape of Damian Carter, taking the role of Freddy Eynsford-Hill. Damian, who has lived in Warwickshire for three years, went into book publishing when he left university but his parents passed on a love of music and he decided to take singing lessons, culminating in his current semi-professional career.

He has now enrolled at The Birmingham Conservatoire to study for a Post Graduate Diploma in Vocal Performance.

The show also stars a daredevil Henry Higgins - KES old boy Roger Ganner, who recently took part in a charity abseil 170ft down the AXA Insurance Building in Coventry.

Terri Walters plays Eliza, Chris Dobson is Alfred Doolittle and Mike Grimes is Colonel Pickering. Estelle Hand is at the helm as director and she has Kenneth McAllister taking care of the music and Julie Bedlow Howard the choreography.

In November, The Stratford Gilbert and Sullivan Society is bringing all the excitement of The Pirates of Penzance to the Swan Theatre from November 3-6 and that will be followed by Oklahoma! at the same venue by Wilson Roberts Productions from November 9-13.

Other visitors are coming to town during the Week With Laughter Comedy Season, part of the visitors' line-up.

l Comedian and TV host Jimmy Carr is playing on Saturday, October 23, then the following night, air-hostess Pam Ann takes no prisoners in Come Fly With Me. Mark Thomas brings his own brand of campaign comedy on October 25, before it's the turn of The Comedy Store Players, with Paul Merton. On Wednesday, October 27, the Bard's firmly back in the RSC - this time The Complete Works of William Shakespeare all at once, performed by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.

James Campbell performs Stand Up Comedy 4 Kids on Thursday, before later that night, adults get a foot back in the door for the Lipstick and Shopping evening of funny women, headed by TV regular Miranda Hart. Kiki and Herb - 'cabaret terrorists' are the double act who bring the season to a close on October 30.

For ticket details, call the box office on 01789 404392 (www.rsc.org.uk).