A packed summer season of musical performances has been announced across seven venues in Dorset.

Dorchester Arts has revealed who will be performing in the summer of 2024, including the return of the Kanneh-Mason family and the Spooky Men's Chorale with many other outdoor and indoor shows planned.

A spokesperson for Dorchester Arts said: "Dorchester Arts’ summer season is a feast of wonderful shows and events that will appeal to everyone. Lovers of magic, Shakespeare, big bands, fun operetta, classical music and the weirdest chorale ever are all in for a treat."

Some of the highlights of the packed programme include a special fundraising event for The Script’s The Thing!, Dorset’s Festival of Scriptwriting, the one man magic show 'Magic and Marvels' presented by  Michael Jordan. 

The Glenn Miller Orchestra commemorate the 80th anniversary of D Day, and Townsend Productions’ will perform Behold Ye Ramblers, a play celebrating the pioneers of socialism and the struggles and triumphs of late Victorian and early Edwardian activists in this engaging production.

Opera Anywhere also returns with its rambunctious production of The Pirates of Penzance and popular local thespians the New Hardy Players will perform Six Men of Dorset, the story of the Tolpuddle martyrs performed -  in not one but two venues – Dorchester's Corn Exchange, and Shire Hall Museum.

Music lovers will get to enjoy The Kanneh-Masons and Friends, with three members of this talented family performing beloved classics at The Gransden Hall in Sherborne, including a wealth of other genres, from jazz to folk and tribute acts.

There will also be outdoor theatre with The HandleBards' bicycle-powered production of The Comedy of Errors at Maumbury Rings, plus performances of Peter Pan, Dr Dolittle and the Merry Wives of Windsor.

The timeless Shakespeare masterpiece Hamlet will be presented by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and  performed in the gardens of Athelhampton House.

Finally, the popular Spooky Men’s Chorale bring their unique style of a cappella singing to Dorchester’s Hardye Theatre.

The full programme is available online at dorchesterarts.org.uk and includes performcaes taking place between May and September.