EXPECT everything from top comedians to quality drama and magical children’s shows in The Berry Theatre’s new spring season.

Kicking off the Hedge End venue’s new season’s drama programme is Les Enfants Terribles’ sell-out five-star show The Trench (April 19).

Inspired by the true story of a miner who became entombed in a tunnel during the First World War, The Trench is a powerful production that blends puppetry, live music and striking physical performance.

When Bert gets trapped beneath the earth it appears to spell the end for him.

As the horror threatens to engulf him something mysterious begins to happen.

Using clever sets, skilful puppetry and a haunting live soundtrack Les Enfants Terribles create a phantasmal world that will leave audiences spellbound.

John Godber’s hilarious take on life at a modern comprehensive Teechers is brought to the stage by acclaimed Blackeyed Theatre (April 26). With high energy, break-neck comedy and breathtaking ensemble performances, Teechers is a modern classic with something vital to say about modern-day education.

Comedy fans are in for a treat this season, with a line-up that includes one of the UK’s best-loved female comedians Jo Caulfield (February 2). She presents her new show Better The Devil You Know that sees the popular stand-up use her razor sharp wit to deliver stories about everything from dating and bad service to relationships and Tesco self-service scanners.

Former EastEnders’ actress Louise Jameson presents her solo show Pulling Faces (February 8). This acerbic, topical comedy about society’s obsession with youth, beauty and transformation follows a former TV Diva who is on the verge of her 55th birthday, seriously single, hotflushing and about to make some drastic changes in her life.

A chortletastic line-up of comedians takes to the stage in this The Best Of Chortle Comedy tour (February 25).

Compere for the night is Latitude Comedy winner Eric Lampaert. The featured lineup is So You Think You’re Funny? finalist Matt Richardson; Laughing Horse winner Julian Deane; and Tom Rosenthal.

The children’s programme opens with Pied Piper’s My BIG Little Sister (February 19). Tom doesn’t understand why his sister, Ruby, wants to be a grown up. Ruby says she wants to be grown-up so that no-one can tell her what to do. My BIG Little Sister is a new play taking a light-hearted look at consumerism.

A unique adaptation of Oliver Jeffers award-winning book The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Bootworks Theatre is set to thrill families (March 16). Staged in the little Black Box Theatre – a miniature venue that accommodates just two people at a time – The Incredible Book Eating Boy invites its audience to enter the world of Henry, a little boy who eats books.

As part of the adventure the audience of two is taken into the theatre box where the story is brought to life through puppetry, projection and quirky animation.

Renowned for its mesmerising visual performances Horse & Bamboo Theatre will cast a theatrical spell with its retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s tale The Nightingale (March 26).

What would it be like to have anything you wanted, the best money could buy and, yet, still be unhappy? That’s the situation the Little King finds himself in until one day he is enchanted by the most beautiful sound in the world. The Nightingale is a story of friendship and simplicity brought to life in a sweet, beautiful way.

My Brother The Robot is the charming new show from celebrated Tall Stories (April 10). Blending music, humour and storytelling, the production explores the relationship between little girl Bobbie and her new brother – a robot – as she tries to teach him how the world works and he gets into mischief.