THE evergreen stage play Art has been named as top show for the autumn season at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre.

Christopher Cazenove, Les Dennis and John Duttine are the threesome touring in the roles shared by seemingly all the famous male actors in the country over the seven years Yazmin Reza's play has been running to huge success.

The play came to Britain thanks to Sean Connery's wife who saw it in Paris and persuaded him to go along. He was so impressed that he worked with David Pugh to co-produce an English version and it has become a phenomenon all over the world.

The production has won a London Evening Standard Award, an Olivier award and a Tony Award and will be performed in Cheltenham from October 27 to November 1.

The season will start on September 4 with An Audience with Sir Jimmy Young, who is followed by Pam Ayres on September 5 with a repeat performance of her Words, Wit and the Wonderbra.

The Blues Brothers also return to the Everyman in September, along with The Reduced Shakespeare Company, who will perform their new show, All the Great Books Abridged.

Eastenders' legendary bad boy Nick Cotton (John Altman) will be joined by Coronation Street's prodigal son Terry Duckworth (Nigel Pivaro) in John Godber's Bouncers in September.

Audiences won't believe their eyes when two Australians manipulate themselves into various shapes, objects and landmarks in Puppetry of the Penis in September.

Lovers of the classics need not feel left out as The Young Vic Theatre Company will perform a re-invented Hobson's Choice, while Moscow Ballet La Classique perform The Nutcracker and English Touring Opera perform The Turn of the Screw and Ariodante.

Tickets for all performances are available from the box office on 01242 572573.