The start of summer brings a veritable feast of Shakespeare to the region, as the RSC continue on their year-long journey to perform every single one of the Bard's plays and poems. Guest stars and invited theatre companies from around the world will be presenting some very diverse treatments of famous and lesser-known works over the coming months.

Other theatre performances include two comedies from John Godber, plus the story of a man juggling three fiances. Meanwhile, Rik Mayall is back on home turf in the guise of his famous creation Alan B'Stard, but there's been a bit of a U-turn since we saw him last...

It's a good season for comedy, with Roy Chubby Brown and Al Murray the Pub Landlord making appearances, and old favourite Ken Dodd is sure to pack the crowds in. There's more laughter to be had with some forthcoming children's shows, including the Wiggles and dear old Sooty, while much-loved TV characters Fireman Sam and the Fimbles also take to the stage.

Now until Saturday June 17

Indian company Dash Arts presents A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Stratford's Swan Theatre.

Now until Saturday June 24

The Birmingham Rep presents John Godber's comedy ON THE PISTE.

Now until Tuesday October 10 (selected dates)

The RSC performs JULIUS CAESAR at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Now until Thursday October 12 (selected dates)

The RSC presents MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Stratford's Swan Theatre.

Now until Saturday October 14 (selected dates)

The RSC performs ROMEO & JULIET at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, and ANTONY & CLEOPATRA at the Swan Theatre in Stratford, starring Patrick Stewart.

Saturday June 10

The CBSO play music by Dvork and Mahler in BOHEMIAN LANDSCAPES at Symphony Hall.

ELKIE BROOKS performs live at the refurbished Palace Theatre in Redditch.

Sunday June 11

The Hippodrome hosts AN AUDIENCE WITH JACQUELINE WILSON.

Monday June 12 - Saturday June 17

The Alexandra Theatre hosts the return of THE NEW STATESMAN, with Rik Mayall's character, Alan B'Stard, re-invented...as a Blairite!

Malvern's Festival Theatre presents classic drama A TASTE OF HONEY.

Tuesday June 13

A sea-themed dance performance for kids, NADA...NADA! is performed by Aracaladanza as part of DanceXchange@The Patrick Centre at the Hippodrome.

Wednesday June 14

Symphony Hall presents IGORFEST: FAIRYTALE STRAVINSKY.

Thursday June 15 - Sunday June 18

FIREMAN SAM TO THE RESCUE at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

Friday June 16

The Palace Theatre presents MAD ABOUT THE MUSICALS.

FLAMENCO EXPRESS brings a taste of Spain to Worcester's Swan Theatre.

Friday June 16 - Saturday June 24

The Ninagawa Company from Japan present TITUS ANDRONICUS at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Saturday June 17

Blues, classic rock and R'n'B with BLUES AT 10 at the Rose Theatre.

The Artrix presents a BEE GEE FEVER tribute night.

Sunday June 18

The ORIGINAL FORMER MEMBERS ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA PART 2 perform at the Alexandra Theatre.

Monday June 19 - Wednesday June 21

Also at the Alex, a show from outrageous comedian ROY CHUBBY BROWN.

Tuesday June 20 - Saturday June 24

Classic musical FIDDLER ON THE ROOF comes to the Palace Theatre courtesy of Alcester Amateur Operatic Society.

Thursday June 22

The Alexandra Theatre presents ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN, with Stars In Their Eyes winner Gary Mullen.

Thursday June 22 - Saturday June 24

The Young Rep Company presents THEIR SCARVES WERE RED, a drama about the Hillsborough disaster.

Saturday June 24

The WORCESTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA performs its centenary concert at the Swan Theatre, Worcester.

Sunday June 25

The NIA Academy hosts GEORGE BENSON in concert.

Monday June 26 - Saturday July 1

The Grand Theatre presents JOSEPH AHD HIS AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT.

A group of redundant cleaners set up a phone sex line in comedy DIRTY DUSTING at the Alexandra Theatre.

The Festival Theatre presents SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS.

Monday June 26 - Saturday September 2

Hit family musical CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG arrives at the Hippodrome.

Wednesday June 28 - Saturday July 1

Bromsgrove theatre group All & Sundry presents Alan Ayckbourn's CONFUSIONS at the Artrix.

Thursday June 29

Huntingdon Hall welcomes THE STEVE GIBBONS BAND.

Thursday June 29 - Saturday July 15

The Rep's TRANSMISSIONS season showcases the work of young writers.

Friday June 30

GLADYS KNIGHT IN CONCERT at Symphony Hall.

Huntingdon Hall presents ACKER BILK & THE PARAMOUNT JAZZ BAND.

Sunday July 2

Jazz singer CLARE TEAL appears at the Alexandra Theatre.

Monday July 3

The Alexandra Theatre hosts AL MURRAY THE PUB LANDLORD with a brand new show.

Cole Porter's ANYTHING GOES comes to the Festival Theatre.

Tuesday July 4

American classics in GLORIOUS GERSHWIN & BRILLIANT BERNSTEIN at Symphony Hall.

Tuesday July 4 - Saturday July 8

The Grand Theatre presents Francis Durbidge thriller MURDER WITH LOVE.

Thursday July 6

The Palace Theatre presents KEN DODD'S HAPPINESS SHOW.

Thursday July 6 - Saturday July 15

Chicago Shakespeare Theatre performs HENRY IV (PARTS II & II) at Stratford's Swan Theatre.

Friday July 7

HOWARD JONES performs his classic hits at Huntingdon Hall.

Friday July 7 - Sunday July 9

Cuddly TV characters THE FIMBLES arrive at the Alexandra Theatre.

Saturday July 8

Australian kids' TV stars THE WIGGLES bring interactive song and dance to the NIA.

The WORLD FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA performs at the Palace Theatre.

Worcester's community choir VOLCANO perform with THE DIAMOND CHOIR, made up of South African mine-workers, at Huntingdon Hall.

Monday July 10

Jazz group the BOURBON STREET STOMPERS perform at the Artrix.

Tuesday July 11

JEFF BECK and BUDDY GUY perform at the NIA Academy.

Tuesday July 11 - Saturday July 15

Cricket comedy THE BOUNDARY comes to the Grand Theatre.

Thursday July 13

Saxophone music at the Artrix with the JOOLZ GIANNI BAND.

Friday July 14

Inamorare Productions present magical fantasy opera HANSEL & GRETEL at the Artrix.

Sunday July 16

Symphony Hall welcomes musical innovator GEORGE CLINTON, formerly of Parliament and Funkadelic.

Worcester's Swan Theatre hosts antiques expert HENRY SANDON, in a fundraising afternoon for the theatre.

Monday July 17 - Saturday July 22

The Festival Theatre presents rock 'n' roll sci-fi musical RETURN TO THE FORBIDDEN PLANET.

Monday July 17 - Saturday October 21

The RSC performs HENRY VI (PARTS I, II & III) at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre.

Tuesday July 18 - Saturday July 22

The Grand Theatre presents BOEING BOEING, a comedy about a man engaged to three air stewardesses.

Saturday July 22

Sixties recording star CRAIG DOUGLAS brings his Summertime Special show to the Palace Theatre.

Tuesday July 25 - Saturday July 29

John Godber's airport-set comedy FLY ME TO THE MOON come to the Grand Theatre.

Thursday July 27

GLEN CAMPBELL performs at Symphony Hall accompanied by his daughter Debby.

Thursday July 27 - Tuesday October 10

The RSC presents Shakespeare's little-known KING JOHN at the Swan Theatre, Stratford.

Friday July 28 - Thursday October 12

Patrick Stewart stars with the RSC in THE TEMPEST at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

Saturday July 29

The Palace Theatre welcomes Sooty and pals in THE IZZY WIZZY HOLIDAY SHOW.

The Artrix presents tribute group BOOTLEG ABBA.

Theatre contact details

Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham: 0870 607 7533

Artrix, Bromsgrove: 01527 577330

Birmingham Hippodrome: 0870 730 1234

Birmingham Repertory Theatre: 0121 236 4455

Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton: 01902 429212

Huntingdon Hall, Worcester: 01905 611427

Malvern Theatres: 01684 892277

NEC, Birmingham: 0870 909 4133

NIA, Birmingham: 0121 780 4444

Norbury Theatre, Droitwich Spa: 01905 795619

Palace Theatre, Redditch: 01527 65203

Rose Theatre, Kidderminster: 01562 743754

RSC, Stratford-upon-Avon: 01789 403403

Swan Theatre, Worcester: 01905 611427

Symphony Hall, Birmingham: 0121 780 3333