THE summer season at Ludlow Assembly Rooms has been finalised, the brochure printed and booking is open for an exciting programme of varied events at south Shropshire’s favourite venue.

As always, there’s something on the menu for every artistic taste, whether you’re a lover of drama or dance, music or movies.

Among the highlights of another packed season is an appearance by The Dhol Foundation (on Thursday, May 12), who wow crowds at major music events around the world with their dynamic, thunderous beats and vast array of musical styles.

More music comes from Westcoastin’ (Sunday, May 22), a seven-piece band showcasing jazz from the 50s West Coast ‘cool school’ scene, and the period instrument Corelli Orchestra present Baroque Classics (Friday, May 27).

The Songs of Leonard Cohen are celebrated when Keith James presents a concert of the enigmatic Cohen’s music (Saturday, June 11).

Writer-performer Christine Watkins surveys the midlife landscape in her vibrant, thought-provoking drama The Tide Tables (Tuesday, May 17), accompanied by sparkling a capella songs from Mary Keith and Beach Radio, and further drama comes from Rouge 28 Theatre’s production, Urashima Taro (Friday, June 3), a contemporary vision of an ancient Japanese myth in which actor and puppetry merge to create a fascinating story of lust, betrayal and loss.

The Mole Who Knew it was None of his Business (Saturday, June 4) offers a magical, musical adaptation of the popular children’s book, perfect for all ages, and full of laughter, information and fun.

Dance fans won’t want to miss the award-winning Ballet Cymru’s production of Beauty and the Beast (Wednesday, May 25), with workshop places also available (visit the website or call the box office for details).

Half-term brings a range of events and activities, among them two workshops run by Kippertie Theatre (The Mole who Knew...) and Rouge 28 Theatre (Urashima Taro) who will show you how to move and act in a full mask costume to bring your character to life.

There’s also a stone carving workshop (Friday, June 3), with personal tutoring and guidance to help you develop confident carving and design skills.

Award-winning comic Jo Enright, who has recently finished filming the pilot for a sitcom, Life’s Too Short, by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, will bring her brand of stand-up to LAR on Saturday, July 2.

The unique style of Andy Kirkpatrick in Cold Wars (Saturday, June 18) is stand-up of a very different kind – the UK’s only stand-up mountaineer combines observational comedy and self-deprecating tales of survival to elicit the laughs.

In July, Ludlow Assembly Rooms will be the venue for a number of Ludlow Festival events, among them talks by Germaine Greer (Friday, July 1) and Gyles Brandreth (Friday, July 8), and one of Britain’s most popular entertainers, Barbara Dickson, in concert on Saturday, July 9. Festival events should be booked through the festival box office on 01584 872150.

For full details of the summer season, pop into the box office to pick up a brochure or visit ludlowassemblyrooms.

co.uk.