HIGHLIGHTS for drama lovers in the spring season at Darlington Civic Theatre include Birdsong, based on the award-winning First World War novel by Sebastian Faulks, and The Touring Consortium Theatre Company's new production of A View From The Bridge celebrating the centenary of playwright Arthur Miller’s birth.

English Touring Theatre will present the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Thomas Middleton’s riotous Jacobean comedy, A Mad World My Masters, updated to 1950s' Soho, which proved a major hit with audiences and critics in Stratford Upon Avon earlier this year.

Audiences who saw The Play That Goes Wrong last summer – now showing in the West End – will be eager for tickets to Mischief Theatre's next comical delight, Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

Middle Ground Theatre Company brings Richard Harris’ acclaimed psychological thriller The Business of Murder starring Robert Gwilym, best known as Dr Max Gallagher in Casualty, alongside Paul Opacic (Bad Girls, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks) and Joanna Higson.

During a break in the Chuckle Brothers' pantomime, the London Gala Orchestra and singers present Viennese music (January 5). Other musical treats next month include Vampires Rock, folk entertainers The Houghton Weavers, Grimethorpe Colliery Band and hits from the 1950s-70s in That'll Be The Day.

The Woman in Black returns to transport the audience into a terrifying and ghostly world.

At the end of January, the Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia presents Copp?lia, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

February sees the Russian State Ballet and Opera House in Rigoletto.

March highlights include Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly and the 25th-year anniversary tour of Return to the Forbidden Planet.

Shows for children start with Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano in February followed in March by Where Caterpillars Go, an adventure set in a wild and magical paper garden when the audience will be seated on stage alongside the performers.

A family open weekend offers activities, competitions, workshops, performances and guided tours on February 28-29 and the Easter pantomime is Beauty and the Beast starring Bobby Davro.

One night comedy includes Omid Djalili in Iranalamadingdong in February, Tim Vine in April and Return of the Grumpy Old Women – Fifty Shades of Beige.

Pasha Kovalev, from BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, brings her Life Through Dance, an action-packed journey expressed through the language of dance.

There are stories and music in An Evening with Julian Lloyd Webber followed by appearances from original members of Emerson Lake and Palmer, Wishbone Ash and The Strawbs with The Classic Legends of Rock and Folk Super Tour 2015. The Good Old Days of Variety offers nostalgia for older people followed by more golden oldies in The Hollies in April.

Darlington OS will stage Hairspray and there is a comedy about sisterhood in The Naked Truth, about five very different women struggling to conquer pole dancing in aid of a breast cancer charity.

Brochures with full details are available from the box office and usual outlets. For tickets, ring the box office on 01325 486 555 or visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk.