After months of lockdown and, following the Government roadmap, South Kesteven District Council's arts venues in Grantham and Stamford are promising a fantastic autumn season of shows and screenings for all the family to enjoy.

Opening with a visit to both venues from TV historian Lucy Worsley (25 and 26 August), the new season includes a huge variety of first-class live entertainment – with music, drama, comedy, spoken word and dance, all featuring.

Councillor Rosemary Trollope-Bellew, Cabinet Member for Culture and Visitor Economy at SKDC, said: "Surveys across the country have all indicated just how much audiences have missed attending live performances and shared experiences.

"Audience support will play a huge part in the successful recovery of the sector following the period of closure."

Some Covid-19 protocols will remain in place, with enhanced cleaning, the ongoing provision of hand-sanitiser stations, and wearing of face-coverings still recommended. However, the venues will reopen at full capacity – a measure needed to ensure the programmes are viable and accessible.

Stamford's popular arts cinema autumn schedule is packed with a mix of blockbuster films, art-house works and some satellite screenings, including Follies Live (2 September), La Traviata on Sydney Harbour 2021 (21 September) and Romeo & Juliet – National Theatre Live - 2021 Encore (28 September).

The intimate nature of the Stamford auditorium and a warm welcome from the front-of-house team, makes the venue a great choice for cinema lovers.

Stamford's Classical Season is always a centrepiece of the schedule, and this autumn includes: The European Union Chamber Orchestra (9 October); the Doric String Quartet (6 November); and Baroque specialist Red Priest (4 December).

Music plays a significant part in the programmes at both Grantham and Stamford, with classical, jazz, folk and lots more featuring across the season. Emily Portman and Rob Harbron (Grantham 22 October); Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham (Stamford 8 October); They Say It's Swing – Clare Teal and her Trio (Stamford, 29 October).

There are big names heading to Grantham this season too with the return of Meres Live events at Grantham's Meres Leisure Centre including Jason Manford (16 October) and Milton Jones (12 November). Be sure to book early.

More laughs are guaranteed with the return to Grantham of the Funhouse Comedy Club (30 September) and La Voix - the UK's most glamorous musical comedy performer (29 October); while John Shuttleworth appears in Stamford (16 September).

Throughout the pandemic, poetry has seen a resurgence in profile and online events have proved popular with audiences. Stamford Arts Centre presents a superb 'mini-season' of poets in September, following the postponement of the Verse Festival last year. The line-up includes Luke Wright (3 September), and Hollie McNish and Wendy Cope on 4 September.

Grantham-based Chantry Dance Company returns to both venues this autumn with a very special new production of The Little Mermaid (Grantham Guildhall on 17 and 18 September and Stamford Arts Centre on 1 October). This exciting, successful company traditionally tours across the UK each autumn and they are excited to be returning to live shows after a very challenging 18 months.

Drama also returns to both stages, including visits from Stamford Shoestring Theatre in My Mother Said I Never Should (Stamford 7-11 September); Not: Lady Chatterley's Lover, A Parody of Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence (Stamford 23 September); The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe from Dyad Theatre (Stamford 7 October); Where Is Mrs Christie? (Grantham 29 September); and Death by Design 'A Comedy with Murder' (Grantham 14-16 October), presented by St Peter's Hill Players.

To find more details for all shows, screenings, and events, visit the venue websites and sign up for the mailing list at: www.guildhallartscentre.com and www.stamfordartscentre.com