POLITICAL debate with Tony Benn, the English premiere of Kate Atkinson's first original stage play and a new production of Irvine Welsh's cult drug-culture hit Trainspotting lead off York Theatre Royal's highlights in 2003.

First up, once the Babbies In The Wood runs out of panto time on February 1, will be Free At Last: An Audience With Tony Benn for one night only on February 6.

Celebrating calling time on his many years in the House of Commons to "concentrate on politics", the former Labour Cabinet Minister will discuss his life, diaries and future. To take part in the discussion, you are invited to bring your questions to an evening of politics, debate and reminiscence.

Two nights later, on February 8, actress and Watercolour Challenge presenter Hannah Gordon and BAFTA award-winning actor Peter Barkworth present an evening of selected readings and music from the works of Joyce Grenfell, Thomas Hardy, Noel Coward, Chopin and Gershwin. Later in the season, the series of one-night attractions continues with the Big Chris Barber Band on March 13 and guitarist Juan Martin with his Flamenco dance group, Arte Puro, on March 20.

The Theatre Royal's main-house repertory season begins with Bradford playwright JB Priestley's comic tale of village scandal and illegitimate wedlock, When We Are Married, to be directed by resident director Jim Hooper, from March 7 to 29.

Artistic director Damian Cruden directs the English premiere of former York author Kate Atkinson's first original stage play, Abandonment, in a run from April 4 to 26.

Cruden staged Atkinson's Behind The Scenes At The Museum in October 2000, and in this equally intriguing tale the recently divorced Elizabeth wants to be left with her new life and homemaking. However, her interfering mother, sister, best friend and even the builder seem determined to haunt her every waking moment.

March marks the re-launch of The Studio, newly equipped with adaptable seating, improved disabled access, sound proofing and air conditioning thanks to £70,000 funding from the Arts Council of England.

The theatre's own Studio productions will include Nick Lane's charming adaptation of Beauty And The Beast from April 10 to May 3, and while that should delight the whole family, the same cannot be said of Irvine Welsh's scabrous Scottish drug drama Trainspotting. This will be directed in a May 9 to 31 run by Tim Welton, who was in the director's chair for the first Studio show in September 2001.

Following last year's productions of Ghosts with Diana Quick and King Lear with Timothy West, English Touring Theatre returns to the main house from February 25 to March 1 when Michael Pennington takes on the title role in Ibsen's tale of suffocating domesticity, John Gabriel Borkman.

On April 29 and 30, Phoenix Dance presents Triple Bill, the Leeds company's first production under artistic director Darshan Singh Bhuller. English Touring Opera presents two witty Strauss operas, Johann's Die Fledermaus on May 1 and 2 and Richard's Ariadne On Naxos on May 3.

From April 1 to 5 in the Studio, BadApple Theatre Company makes its Theatre Royal debut with Still Marilyn, Kate Bramley's new snapshot of Marilyn Monroe's struggle for recognition as a serious actress.

The National Theatre Shell Connections project returns from March 27 to 29 in the Studio when York Youth Theatre presents Christopher William Hill's Multiplex; All Saints School and Pilot Youth Theatre, Philip Ridley's Brokenville; and Stagerite, Dust by Sarah Daniels.

On the amateur scene, York Light Opera Society stages its golden anniversary production of Me And My Girl from February 11 to 22; and York Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society performs Cabaret, May 8 to 17, and for one night only, Sing-a-long To The Pirates of Penzance, on May 12.

For tickets, ring 01904 623568.

Updated: 10:03 Friday, January 17, 2003