Casualty heart-throb Clive Mantle and Marion and Geoff star Rob Brydon are among the big names coming to Southampton's Nuffield theatre over the next few months.

Mantle takes the title role in the first production of the spring season, the 1960s comedy-drama Rattle of a Simple Man. Samantha Robson from The Bill will also appear in the show, which runs from March 20 to April 12.

From May 1 to 24, you can see the Nuffield's latest brand-new contemporary offering, When We Are Rich. Written by Penny Gold, a former senior drama producer for the BBC, it promises to be a thought-provoking play full of wit and energy.

As well as its own self-produced shows, the Nuffield will be hosting several one- or two-night performances from visiting companies.

Highlights include the California-based Riot Group, who perform their King Lear-inspired play Victory at the Dirt Palace from February 25 to 26, and Strings in Bollywood Nights, an evening of Asian music and dance in association with local group Art Asia. Comedy plays an important part in the new line-up with big names like Lee Mack and John Maloney (March 9), Rob Brydon (April 6) and Richard Herring (May 6) set to appear.

Musical offerings include singers Maria Ewing (February 16) and Julie Felix (March 23).

Children continue to be well catered for, with the Nuffield's Theatre First company presenting several productions for younger theatregoers, including its own adaptation of Macbeth (February 5 to 8).

For tickets and information for any show, call the Nuffield box office on 023 8067 1771.