Having undergone a challenging period of restructuring and planning, the Lancaster venue now looks to a season reflecting the passion, commitment and ambition of the new look Dukes.

A £350K investment has seen the development of a fantastic adaptable studio space, The Round, which will open its doors in August, to provide an additional intimate and inviting new performance space for drama, music and dance.

While producing drama remains at the heart of what the Dukes do, the new season clearly sets out the Dukes' stall as a unique cultural centre for Lancashire.

There is an ambition to produce quality drama productions and to provide a place to showcase and nurture the very best local talent, whilst also bringing to Lancashire the 'best of the rest' from around the world.

The addition of The Round, enables the Dukes to programme a wide range of incoming drama, music and dance which can for the first time run alongside the home grown productions.

Dukes Director, Joe Sumsion, said: "This truly is the season of passion. If you are interested in love, life, death and relationships, family intrigue, betrayal and obsession; if you want to laugh, cry, think more deeply, and be moved, there is much for you to enjoy at the Dukes this season.

"We feel passionately about this venue and know that people care deeply about its future. We think this season's programme will reflect our shared vision for a bright future here at the Dukes."

The curtain rises on the autumn programme of drama with The Bomb, Kevin Dyer's gripping play inspired by Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the 1984 Brighton Bomb and her meeting with Patrick Magee who planted that bomb.

More than a little sprinkling of magic arrives in time for Christmas when the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty is brought to life in the newly-named main performance space The Rake, from November 21 to January 3.Northern Broadsides reposition Dario Fo's political farce, Accidental Death of an Anarchist, from its original 1960s Italian setting into contemporary Northern England.

Playing in the Rake September 30 to October 4, this play's strong political message will resonate with the current controversial debate over terrorist detentions.

Drama takes a rural turn with the first visiting theatre production to play in the The Round from November 4-8.

Farnham Maltings' production of The Drawer Boy is a funny, sensitive slice of Canadian farm life.

Two hot new north west based theatre companies visit the Dukes with original works this season.

Obstacles to Coming Home from Angel Club North (November 1) and Anima, from Momentum Theatre (November 14-15) are surprising and mesmerising new pieces of visual theatre.

For families and comedy lovers, wizardry and witchcraft are on the agenda on September 26-27 with the fantastically funny Potted Potter – all seven Harry Potter books retold in 70 minutes.

And award-winning comic Toby Hadoke brings his cult show, Moths Ate My Doctor Who Scarf, a hilarious romp through his Doctor Who obsession, to the Dukes on October 18.

The Dukes' music strand sees locals Lava (October 3) and Lancaster bands Heroes of She, (September 20) How's My Pop, One Chip Potato and The Madrigals (all November 28) rubbing shoulders with acclaimed jazz saxophonist, Courtney Pine (August 23).

And October 21 sees dance with an international flavour when Sujata Banerjee Dance Company perform A Sacred Thread on the main stage.

The Dukes' commitment to keeping young people central to their programming is reflected in the range of work offered at DT3.

Alongside work created by the youngsters themselves, visiting theatre companies include Fuse & Loci with Shadow Companion (October 23) – two best friends find themselves on either side of a prejudiced community, and Box Clever's Sixteen Up (November 7 - 8), a witty look at the complexities of teenage love.

For the little ones, local company Handheld Theatre bring their enchanting children's show and workshop Praline Moment, a story of friendship, music and chocolate, for half term fun (October 29 - 31).

* For more information or to book for any event in the autumn season, call the box office on 0845 344 0644, go to www.dukeslancaster.org or call into the Dukes in Moor Lane, Lancaster.