York Theatre Royal will stage a 21st anniversary production of John Godber's cult nightclub comedy Bouncers as a highlight of its autumn season.

Godber's best-known play takes a fast and furious ride through urban nightlife, any club, any town, any weekend, in the less-than-friendly company of bouncers Lucky Eric, Judd, Ralph and Les, from November 4 to 21.

Repeating the format introduced by artistic director Damian Cruden last autumn, Bouncers will run in tandem with another show, the Theatre Royal and Sheffield Theatres' co-production of Gargling With Jelly.

Brian Patten's tale of the Dastardly Doctor, and her desire to remove all happiness from the world with her seriously sensible medicine, will be presented in the daytime and early evening from November 10 to 21 and is suitable for children aged four and over.

The season opens from September 22 to October 10 with Pilot Theatre Company's production of William Golding's Lord Of The Flies, adapted by Nigel Williams, author of The Wimbledon Poisoner and They Came From SW19.

A provocative, haunting story of a group of schoolboys' fears being transformed into something dark and primal when they crash on to a deserted island, Lord Of The Flies will be presented by Pilot in association with the Theatre Royal and the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith.

Dubble Joint's production of Marie Jones's Women On The Verge Of HRT will tour York from October 14 to 31. The setting is County Donegal, home of Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell, where fans Vera and Anna are hoping to see the man of their dreams. Back in their hotel room, they bemoan the injustice of the biological clock, until a mysterious waiter appears, looking and sounding remarkably like their idol, bringing tonic for their vodka and their souls.

Regular visitors Phoenix Dance Company, from Leeds, will present Essentially Phoenix from November 26 to 28. In addition, they will hold dance workshops -more information on these sessions is available from the marketing department on 01904 658162.

Comedy duo Lip Service return too, this time with the new satire Tales Of King Arthur And The Knights Of The Occasional Table, from December 2 to 5.

York actress Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding will present "an evening of pointy hats, pointy swords and other pointy bits", asking whether Arthur and Guinevere really were the first exponents of the New Age and speculating on the likelihood of the round table being the first ever self-assembly flatpack? An evening of myth, mist and music is promised.

As previously announced, Berwick Kaler will again be at the helm of the Theatre Royal's family pantomime, Beauty And The Beast, from December 15 to January 30.

Tickets are on sale on 01904 623568 at prices ranging from £5.50 to £14.75 with concessions available.

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