TOP drawer entertainment is the name of the game at the Old Laundry as the Bowness theatre opens its doors for its new season.

Tonight sees a fresh version of Victoria Wood’s comedy Talent take to the stage and Old Laundry general manager Richard Foster is thrilled at the prospect.

“The Talent project is incredibly exciting because Cumbrians will be the first to enjoy this new show, by one of the UK’s best-loved performers and writers,” explained Richard.

“In fact, over the August Bank holiday both the Old Laundry and Mintfest in Kendal will be hosting premieres of new shows and all ‘made in the Lakes’.

“I think this is part of a growing movement to make Cumbria the place to experience new artwork and performances, in England’s most breathtaking landscape.

“Creativity doesn’t necessarily need big buildings - it just needs the right context for the work and our context of the landscape setting is what makes us unique.”

Running at the Old Laundry until September 12 (except Mondays), Talent was first performed in 1978 with Victoria in the cast.

It landed her the Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright. This time around she’s in the director’s chair.

The Old Laundry Season also features an appearance by Griff Rhys Jones, who brings the curtain down on the highly anticapted 2009 event on November 28 (8pm).

Comedian, actor, writer, traveller and ‘trustee’ of the Old Laundry, Griff will treat the audience to an evening of his thoughts and adventures.

“I will talk about my mountaineering experiences, boating epics and river trips. As much of a ramble than the actual events, probably,” he said.

Leading playwright Alan Ayckbourn returns with his Stephen Joseph Theatre Company, staging How The Other Half Loves from Monday, September 28 until October 3.

LAMDA (the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art),will bring three modern classics to the venue, including Master Harold...and the Boys, which will be directed by Janet Suzman.

Former Lindsays’ String Quartet violinist Peter Cropper performs alongside viola player, James Boyd, and cellist, Paul Watkins, in the Ludwig String Trio augmented by pianist Bengt Forsberg on November 3,.

The programme also includes a two-night Shakespeare Schools Festival, silent short films featuring Buster Keaton and Laurel and Hardy and rare footage films from the days of steam locomotives.

For further details of the new programme, contact the box office on 015394-88444.