A VARIED bill of drama, comedy, music and children's entertainment is lined up for the forthcoming season at The Rose in Kidderminster.

The venue hosts a range of productions rounded off by the play, Billy Liar, in January and February.

The perennially popular comedy, Abigail's Party, by Mike Leigh, will be one to look out for in the autumn, with the Nonentities performing it from November 7 to 12 in the Main House.

Abigail's Party, described as a "savage satire on England's middle class", recalls 70s style - or lack of it - when fibre optic lamps, coal-effect fires and cheese and pineapple chunks were among the trendiest things around.

With the latest film version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory doing the rounds at cinemas, the Nonentities' production, Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is timely.

Adapted by Richard George, the magical tale of Charlie Bucket's tour of Willie Wonka's works, should be a pre-Christmas treat for all the family from December 3 to 10.

Suspense will be the watchword for Spider's Web, Agatha Christie's drawing room murder drama, being staged by the Nonentites in the Main House from October 3 to 8.

By way of contrast, the NTC Touring Theatre Company bring Charles Dickens's Great Expectations to the Rose for a one-off performance, on Friday, October 21.

Swan Playwrights team up with the Nonentities for Up Close and Personal, a mix of monologues and single voice playlets - some comic, some tragic, others poetic - looking at contemporary issues ranging from Iraq to infertility. That runs from October 26 to 29.

Music to suit most tastes, whether classical or folk, is also on offer.

The Spirit of Music, on Sunday, November 13, blends folk, country jazz and Celtic influences, while, two nights later, Harvey Andrews presents his own folk evening.

Artists ranging from Mary Hopkin to Christy Moore have covered Andrews's songs and he has worked with others including Rick Wakeman and Ralph McTell.

The Rose box office is open from 10am until 4pm, Monday to Saturday, telephone 01562 743745.