AN unmistakable sign of summer is in the air as the new season’s offerings at Ludlow Assembly Rooms are unveiled.

Starting with LAR director Paula Redway’s pick, Tales of the Country from the award-winning Pentabus Theatre, the venue offers a varied menu of entertaiment to take you through to the autumn.

Tales of the Country is inspired by Brina Viner’s weekly despatches from the county in The Independent, following his family’s relocation from Crouch End in London to a rambling grange in Herefordshire and is a heartwarming chronicle of the pleasures and pitfalls of chasing the rural idyll.

Other drama on the line-up includes The Perfect Murder from LADS drama group from May 13 to May 15, a whodunnit thriller and courtroom drama with a stunning last minute twist, and a return visit from the Theatre of Widdershins with a production of Arabian Nights using puppets, masks and atmospheric music.

There are plenty of musical highlights in the season, including an appearance on Sunday, June 20, by Show of Hands, widely regarded as England’s finest acoustic roots duo and double winners at this year’s BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards for best duo and best original song.

Another of the season’s director’s picks is Orkestra del Sol world music carnival band, which delights in taking the brass band format to a whole new level incorporating wildly skilful musical arrangments and a roguish sense of theatre.

Also picked out by Paula is A Few of my Favourite Things, a dance triple bill from Srishti, who wowed Ludlow in 2007 with Quiet, Please!

More dance comes in the form of Giselle from Independent Ballet Wales, whose last LAR appearance was voted in the audience top five for 2009.

Norfolk comes to Shropshire when Winston the Singing Farmer drops in on June 11 to provide entertainment in the form of songs and stories between courses of a rustic supper.

Then on Saturday, August 28, two of the most (in)famous incomers to Shropshire, Boycie and Marlene (alias John Challis and Sue Holderness) take to the stage to share some of the most memorable moments from The Green, Green Grass and let their audience in on some of the things that didn’t appear on screen.

Food and entertainment is in plentiful supply throughout the season, with an evening of Tapas and Flamenco on Friday, May 14, the monthly meetings of the Ludlow Pudding Club (on May 5, June 2, July 7 and August 4), a Summer Party Night with buffet and dancing on May 28, and a French bistro evening on Friday, August 13, featuring entertainment between courses from harpist Rachael Gladwin.

The Secret Gardens of Ludlow will celebrate their 21st anniversary this year, with previously unseen gardens and old favourites opening their gates for the afternoon on Sunday, June 20, and from Thursday, June 3 to Sunday, June 6, the Finzi Friends present A Weekend of English Song with artistic director, Iain Burnside, which includes concerts, talks, discussions and workshops.

For full details of everything on offer this summer at Ludlow Assembly Rooms, visit ludlowassemblyrooms.

co.uk or call the box office on 01584 878141.