THE Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond will present the Globe Theatre production of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing this autumn.

The six-night run from September 2 to 5 is so far the only one scheduled for the North of England as part of a tour of Europe and the UK.

The production, directed by Max Webster, delighted audiences at the Globe's London base in 2014.

Later in the season, the theatre sees the premiere of North Country Theatre's new adaptation, The Gift of Stones, based on Jim Crace’s award-winning historical novel.

It is directed by Nobby Dimon, whose previous hilarious and heart-warming adaptations have included The 39 Steps, The Rocking Horse Winner and, most recently, A Month in the Country.

The opening night is on September 30 at the start of a regional tour by the Richmond-based professional company which runs until December.

The new season begins on August 16 with An Evening with Donald Maxwell.

One of Britain’s favourite opera singers, Maxwell has sung with all the major British opera companies and appeared at the BBC Proms, as well as at international venues including La Scala, Milan, Vienna Staatsoper and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.

The show is part of the 22nd International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival based in Harrogate.

International concert pianist Harriet Stubbs takes to the stage on September 24 with a recital of works by Bach, Shostakovich, Prokofiev and Liszt.

Widely acknowledged as one of the most outstanding pianists of her generation, she divides her time between London and New York, performing across the US and Europe.

Regional talent is also showcased in the autumn programme. Popular folk band Fourum performs More Ballads from Boots and Books on September 26. The group, which featured on ITV’s programme The Dales, has a strong following in the area and always plays to full houses.

Fulfilling a long-held desire to pay tribute to his hero Stan Laurel, Jeffrey Holland (Hi-de-Hi, You Rang M’Lord) tells the intriguing story of one of Hollywood’s greatest film comedians in And This Is My Friend Mr Laurel on October 8.

Mikron Theatre Company presents One of Each, a tale of intrigue and rivalry between two fish and chip shops, on October 23, and The Picture of Doreen Gray, a reinterpretation of the Oscar Wilde classic, on November 13.

Children are catered for by Blunderbus Theatre's farmyard adventure, My Pet Monster and Me, on October 3, and on October 31, Mr Tiger Goes Wild, an adaptation of the best-selling picture book by Peter Brown.

Local amateur's group RADS presents Alan Ayckbourn’s acclaimed A Chorus of Disapproval from November 5-7 and Richmond Operatic Society presents The M Factor, a celebration of 21st century musicals with an X-Factor twist from November 18-21.

The season ends with Jack and the Beanstalk by the same production team that created Mother Goose, The Adventures of Sinbad, Babes in the Wood, Cinderella and last year’s record-breaking Puss in Boots.

The pantomime is written and directed especially for the Richmond stage by theatre historian Tony Lidington and will be set in the world of the circus drawing on a cast that includes aerial acrobats as well as actors and musicians.

For full details of shows and events, pick up a programme brochure, visit georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk or call the box office on 01748 825252.