CHESTER’S new £37million arts complex is giving theatre-goers the chance to see the 800-seat auditorium in all its glory.

Storyhouse is now welcoming the first shows for its inaugural touring season. Smaller scale productions have been taking place in the venue since May with its company of actors performing in the 500-seat thrust stage.

But now the auditorium is being transformed to be able to accommodate the season of big-budget musicals, dance, theatre and household name comedy.

Upcoming highlights include stand-up giant Stewart Lee on October 3. Later in the season the comedy continues, with ‘grumpy old woman’ – and Splash survivor – Jenny Eclair on October 19 before American funnyman Rich Hall presents a mash-up of comedy and music in Hoedown on October 21.

Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers pays a visit from October 9 to 14 October, starring Lyn Paul as Mrs Johnstone.

Folk music star Kate Rusby makes an appearance on October 20 to mark 25 years in the music business.

There’s a Pythonesque turn of events from October 31 to November 4 with the arrival of the award-winning musical Spamalot, packed with bold – and not so bold - knights, ladies of the lake, fish slapping, flying cows, a killer rabbit and ferocious Frenchmen.

And the autumn touring season concludes with the thought-provoking physical family drama Things I Know to be True, at Storyhouse from November 7 to 11.

Alex Clifton, artistic director at Storyhouse, said: “We could not have asked for a better start to Storyhouse – audiences have loved the venue.

“Now it’s a chance to show the people of Chester just how versatile Storyhouse is, as we open up the space to become a full 800-seat auditorium.”

For more information visit storyhouse.com