THE spring season at Helmsley Arts Centre has plenty on offer across a broad spectrum of the arts.

Drama begins next month with Plesion Theatre’s Goodnight Macbeth, a version of the Shakespeare classic, adapted and directed by emerging director Jolley Gosnold (February 13).

The venue's resident 1812 Theatre Company presents a studio production of Neil Simon’s comedy Last of the Red Hot Lovers (February 25-28). This will be followed by Daisy Pulls it Off (April 20-24).

Dogstar Theatre’s award-winning play The Tailor of Inverness is a true story, performed by Matthew Zajac, telling of his search for his Polish father across war-torn Eastern Europe (March 11).

The award-winning Dyad Productions follows with an adaptation of a Virginia Woolf novel, Dalloway, offering a feminine response to the aftermath of the First World War (April 15).

A moving and witty one-woman show telling the story of renowned contralto Kathleen Ferrier. Whattalife! weaves together text from her diaries and songs from her repertoire (April 29).

Tomorrow sees local singer Jessa Liversidge with Some Enchanted Sondheim in the studio bar, accompanied by Malcolm Maddock. The Hut People bring rhythms and folk tunes from around the world (February 6). Eve Loiseau performs Piaf: The Songs with live musicians (February 12).

Other music include the Brodsky String Quartet (February 11), Aireborough G&S Society's concert version of The Gondoliers (March 5), internationally renowned pianist Anna Tilbrook (March 12), award-winning jazz singer Liane Carroll (April 16) as part of Colman, Carroll and Bancroft: Unleashed! Snake Davis with his string quartet, Snake Strings (April 30), and singer songwriter Beccy Owen as soloist and with one of her choirs, Sing Meanwood! in the Night of 1000 Voices (March 24).

For children there's a Circus Skills Workshop for ages five to 12 to create a routine for friends and family (February 7); The Snow Bear, for ages four to seven, with music and puppets (February 19); and Les Enfants Terrible in Marvellous Imaginary Menagerie (April 3, 2.30pm) as an Easter treat for families.

Live screenings include Les Liaisons Dangereuses from London’s Donmar Warehouse (January 28), As You Like It (March 3). Bolshoi Ballet’s The Taming of the Shrew is screened live on Sunday, January 24, and Spartacus on Sunday, March 13.

Talks include author Andrew Lownie on his new book, Stalin’s Englishman (March 18), shedding new light on the life of Guy Burgess; Northern Voices (February 7) brings together readings and conversation with writers John Godber, Helen Cross and Peter Sansom.

During a grand art auction on January 29, paintings and drawings by local artists including Sir Martyn Beckett, Sir David Goodall, Alan Hitchcock and Patrick Nuttgens, donated by Jean Kershaw and other collectors, will come under the hammer to raise money for the arts centre.

February sees an exhibition of work by photographer Javan Liam; March brings still life compositions by Amy Rose Clyfan; Lesley Birch and Patrick Smith showcase new work in April inspired by the Yorkshire Dales, with Lesley Birch offering a masterclass on Sunday, April 17.

For details of the full programme and tickets, call 01439 771700 or book online at helmsleyarts.co.uk.