STAR names will be out in force for the autumn season at Malvern Theatres.

Among those treading the boards will be Simon Callow, Penelope Keith, Marti Webb and even World Cup-winning soccer player Nobby Stiles.

The Mystery of Charles Dickens gives Simon Callow scope to portray the author and 49 of his best loved characters in a one-man tour de force from September 10-15.

That is followed by the world premiere of Noel Coward's final play, the comedy Star Quality with Penelope Keith, Una Stubbs and Marjorie Yates, from September 17-22.

Stephanie Cole is next up in So Long Life, another comedy, which also features Cheryl Campbell, from September 24-29.

October brings the opportunity for football fans to wallow in a bit of nostalgia as former soccer hard men Nobby Stiles, Norman Hunter and Tommy Smith recount highlights from their football careers, on October 2.

Other one-off shows feature comedian Mark Little, fresh from this year's Edinburgh Festival, in Mark Little is a Whingeing P.O.H.M., on September 22.

Rabbi Lionel Blue, a familiar voice to millions of radio listeners through his BBC broadcasts, will make his first visit to Malvern Theatres to tell a selection of entertaining tales on October 22.

The Counterfeit Stones will belt out Jagger-Richards classics in the Forum Theatre on October 17, following on from a previous sell-out visit.

A day of workshops in jazz and African dance will be held on October 21 when the Mission Black Dance Roadshow stops off at the Forum Theatre.

Children are in for a treat when the new Singing Kettle show, Silly Circus, provides half-term entertainment at the theatre on October 24.

Television comedy veterans Brian Murphy, Judy Cornwell, Carmen Silvera and Victor Spinetti are among the cast for Ron Aldridge's new comedy You're Only Young Twice, which is on from October 22-27.

Earlier in the month, the English Touring Theatre presents The Caretaker, by Harold Pinter, from October 8-13.

The Malvern Theatre Players get in on the act with the Tony Award-winning dark comedy The Philanthropist, by Christopher Hampton, from September 5-8.

Although the full line-up for November and December will be announced in due course, one major production already confirmed is the theatre's Christmas production, Cinderella, starring Marti Webb as the fairy godmother.

Also starring Are You Being Served?'s Nicholas Smith, performances begin on December 12 and run until January 5.

The Malvern Theatres box office number is 01684 892277.

6 A familiar face: The popular Penelope Keith will be appearing in Star Quality at Malvern Theatre.