A CHILLING world premiere, household names from comedy and broadcasting and a packed programme celebrating 50 years of Salisbury Playhouse are set to take centre stage this autumn.

From spine-tingling theatre to live music, family shows and big-name interviews, audiences will have more than three months of entertainment to choose from across Salisbury Playhouse and Salisbury Arts Centre, as Wiltshire Creative has unveiled one of its most ambitious seasons yet.

Leading the theatre programme is the world premiere stage adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, bringing Shirley Jackson’s acclaimed novel, which later inspired the hit Netflix series – to Salisbury before it heads elsewhere.

Audiences can also look forward to a major revival of East is East, alongside touring productions of Pride and Prejudice (sort of) and The Anastasia File.

The season also marks the reopening of the intimate Salberg Studio as the Playhouse celebrates its 50th anniversary, with productions including Up Down Big Man, Two Halves of Guinness and A Christmas Carol.

Comedy fans are well catered for, with performances from Daniel Kitson, Lucy Porter, Mark Simmons and Michael Spicer, while improvisation favourites Paul Merton and Suki Webster return alongside the award-winning Locomotive for Murder: The Improvised Whodunnit.

Paul Merton and Suki Webster.

For fast-paced, funny theatre full of 90s pop-culture references, try Buffy ReVamped, from comedian Brendan Murphy.

Music lovers can enjoy everything from acclaimed folk duo Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman to tributes celebrating Genesis, David Bowie and the swinging sixties with The Zoots.

Families haven’t been forgotten either, with Rabbit & Rey and the Lost Things, Beatrix Potter’s The Tailor of Gloucester, and the Playhouse’s annual pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, promising festive fun.

Away from the stage, broadcaster Matthew Stadlen will host conversations with entrepreneur Deborah Meaden, actor Trevor Eve, journalist Matt Frei and author Sir Ben Okri, while former war reporter Damien Lewis will reveal the remarkable story of SAS Captain Lewis ‘Archie’ Gibson.

Deborah Meaden.

Alongside the performances, Wiltshire Creative is expanding opportunities for people to get involved, with workshops, youth ambassador schemes, trainee technician programmes and creative activities for all ages.

Artistic director Gareth Machin said: “We’re delighted to share this vibrant programme for the autumn season.

“We’re excited to reopen the Salberg Studio as we celebrate the Playhouse’s 50th anniversary, and we’re revitalising the Arts Centre with new participatory activities alongside live performances.”

The autumn season opens for booking to Wiltshire Creative Supporters on June 30 with general sale beginning on July 2.

For more information and to book tickets, visit wiltshirecreative.co.uk/whats-on or pick up a season brochure.