Bury Met, the former magistrates court and police station in the heart of the town centre, has been a hub for community groups, music fans and theatregoers since 1979, but this year stages its own home-grown pantomime for the first time.
Dick Whittington (December 8-24) is offering family tickets and special rates for groups and schools, a pyjama performance on December 15 (wear your pjs or onesies), a relaxed performance on December 19 and a BSL-interpreted show on December 20.
Drama for the autumn season includes: New Dawn Fades (September 21), the story of seminal Manchester band Joy Division, revived for its 10th year; The Steptoe and Son Radio Show (October 9) marking 60 years since the first BBC broadcast with an adaptation of three original episodes, and Count Magnus - Two Ghost Stories by M R James; two chilling tales by the master storyteller performed by Nunkie Theatre.
Several shows are aimed at families, including the return of Rochdale’s much-loved theatre company M6 with When Another Dragon Roars (October 27).
The Met is also a hub for participatory drama and theatre. Bury Youth Theatre, Aiming High and Met Express all meet every week to help children, young people and learning-disabled adults explore their creativity, find new talents and make friends. A programme of music tuition is also available, from one to one sessions in guitar and harmonica to playing in an ensemble with Metro Jazz.
Meet Me at The Met, a social arts group for the over 50s, meets fortnightly for a range of taster workshops in theatre, songwriting, ceramics, dance and more. The group is open-access and can be joined at any time. There's provision too for early-years children with Movers and Shakers, a free movement, dance and yoga group for children aged up to five and their carers.
The Met also has weekly community choirs, ukulele bands and a community jazz orchestra, every Tuesday. Find out more about learning or joining here.
Panto and theatre season info and tickets here