Although panto still has a couple of weeks to exert its magic at The Courtyard, the new season brochure is packed with an exciting line-up of entertainment to see us through the early months of a new year.

Among the highlights are the return of Borderlines, the annual feast of film that brings some of the best movies to this rural county – both at The Courtyard and venues around Herefordshire. This year, as last, the festival will feature a selection of previews, including The White Crow, the third and most ambitious feature yet from actor Ralph Fiennes, which focuses on young ballet star Rudolf Nureyev, poised on the brink of defection from Russia to the West. Also confirmed is The Kindergarten Teacher starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, directed by Sara Colangelo, and one of three previews from women directors.

There is a welcome return too from the uniquely wonderful Vamos Theatre as they present Brave Face, a full-mask production exploring post-traumatic stress through the story of Ryan who sees things in Afghanistan that he can’t talk about – and when he comes home, the trouble really starts. Also back at The Courtyard are the effervescent Hiccup Project – if you saw May-We-Go-Round and It’s OK, I’m Dealing With It, you’ll be booking your seats immediately for Lovely Girls, Cristina and Chess’s new humorous dance/theatre production, putting the impact of gendered words and how society perceives women under the Hiccup microscope …

For five days in February, Hereford has the chance to see the gripping and critically acclaimed courtroom drama, The Verdict, starring Ian Kelsey as Frank Galvin, a washed up veteran lawayer and an alcoholic, who is presented with one last chance to redeem himself when he is given and open-and-shut medical malpractice case that no one thinks he can win ….

Music comes in the shape of a wealth of tributes to, among others, Adele, Abba and Guns n Roses, as well as folk performances from Jamie Smith’s Mabon and Smith and Holder

And for those missing their Strictly fix, the season brings Giovanni Pernice to Hereford in the smash hit dance spectacular Dance is Life, and former contestant Sean Walsh is back on tour with After this One, I’m Going Home.

Local talent will be on display, too, as Hereford Cathedral School follow their smash hit Fiddler on the Roof with Oliver, the Hey Yahs perform, Hereford Musical Theatre Company brings The King and I to the stage, Courtyard Junior Youth Theatre present The Wizard of Oz, the award-winning Hereford Gilbert & Sullivan Society perform The Mikado and Hereford Amateur Pantomime Society do a bit of gentle giant-slaying with this year’s panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

The children haven’t been forgotten either, with a tempting selection of shows presented in the Studio Theatre throughout the season – starting with Teddy’s Seaside Holiday, Sealegs Puppet Theatre’s The Selfish Giant, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff from Garlic Theatre.

For details of everything coming up at The Courtyard in the new year visit courtyard.org.uk. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit the website.