The Nuffield Southampton has unveiled its vibrant new programme for spring and summer.

The next few months promises to be an exciting time for theatregoers in and around Southampton as the new programme offers a diverse mixture that has something for everyone.

The season starts with David Mamet's Oleanna (January 20-27). A compelling play, notorious for dividing audiences, it focuses on communication between the sexes in telling the story of an American student who confronts her university professor.

Frankie and Johnny, right, in The Clair De Lune (February 22 to March 10) will appeal to romantics following Valentine's Day. Russ Tunney directs this bittersweet play about two losers in love.

The artist Picasso comes under the microscope from March 19 to 21 in Picasso And Me. In 1966 Picasso paints a portrait of a young hitch-hiker. "It doesn't look like me!" complains the boy. But when he discovers the painting in a flea market in Rome 40 years later, a different story emerges.

Two of the Nuffield's main stage productions follow Picasso, beginning with The Cage (March 22 to 30) written by Deborah Gearing, and then The Grizzled Skipper (March 31 to April 7) penned by Maggie Nevill and directed by Patrick Sandford.

Loser (April 24 to 26) is about three people and what life is like after one of them is lost. This is swiftly followed by Cabaret Besame Mucho (April 27 to 28), a contemporary cabaret of cutting edge circus, comedy and song.

May sees East Asian company Tamasha return to the Nuffield with A Fine Balance (May 1 to 5). Based on the Booker short-listed novel by Rohinton Mistry it is set in 1970s India and tells the story of four strangers who cross the divides of class and religion to form the most unexpected of friendships.

The spring season's flagship production is Tchaikovsky and the Queen of Spades, left, (May 10 to 26), a tale of shady dealings and murky intrigue. It is an exciting collaboration between the Nuffield and a team of Russian practitioners, led by acclaimed producer Alena Garetovskaya.

Media Mogul Robert Maxwell disappeared overboard from his luxury yacht off the Canary Islands in November 1991. TEG productions explore the mystery surrounding the man in Lies Have Been Told (June 3).

Food (June 7 to 9) rounds off the menu for spring and summer. When top chef Frank Byrne finally gets the coveted third Michelin star he discovers that reaching the top comes at a price.

For information about all these productions and what else is coming up at The Nuffield in the coming months call 023 8067 1771.