More than 8,000 people had sampled the Brewery's pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk as the curtain came down for the final time last week.

Another magical milestone for the Kendal arts centre as it sets its sights on 2003.

"We have an exciting and balanced programme of the best international, national and local talent, mixing work aimed at new audiences with work that challenges perceptions and stim-ulates even the most seasoned theatregoer," defines Brewery chief executive Sam Mason.

"The year starts with the biggest name in British theatre the National Theatre bringing its touring production of Brecht's The Threepenny Opera to Kendal next week for five nights and a Wednesday matinee.

"It promises to be fantastic and gives the people of Cumbria a chance to see the National's work without having to travel to London."

Never one to shy away from controversy, former Cabinet minister, chief executive of TV-am, and banker (among other career moves) Jonathan Aitken has an audience with' at the Brewery on Friday, January 24 (8pm). Staged on Wednesday, February 19 (8pm), the award-winning play Horse Country, which won the Best Of the Fringe Firsts in Edinburgh 2002, is a must for those who like new and exciting drama.

A dab hand at scriptwriting himself, Sam is keen on staging new writing: "There are two pieces worth looking out for. I'm very much looking forward to Cat's Eye Theatre Company's I've Been Eddie Viper, written and performed by Steve Ashton. Steve is an extremely talented writer and performer and produces work that is both entertaining and challenging.

"Adrian's Wall is the second piece. I'm directing it with the Brewery Theatre Company. It's an extremely funny comedy based on an activity weekend dry stone walling in the Lake District and penned by two local writers, Colin Shelbourn and Andrew Thomas."

Dance features in the new Brewery season too with fabulous companies like the EDge (March 7/8) and RJC Dance (March 28) promising great nights as well as workshops for those with a penchant for the contemporary.

In addition, one of the biggest names in improvisational comedy, the Comedy Store Players, play the Brewery on February 22. The Importance of Being Earnest, as you've never seen it before, from the inimitable KAOS theatre company is staged on March 21.

The Brewery teams up with the Royal Geographic Society to present a series of lectures with some of the most fascinating speakers in the country. One of these is on March 27, by Jim Shekdhar, the courageous guy who single-handed rowed the pacific in 2000/2001.

There is plenty for family audiences including The Sorcerer's Apprentice and Not Now, Bernard.

And the Malt Room programme is just music to Sam's ears: "From classical to hip hop, jazz to folk, rhythm and blues to reggae, there is a bit of everything and we will continue to bring some of the world's best artists to Kendal."

On the visual arts front, artists such as John Baldwin and Ian Walton, both phenomenal contemporary artists breaking new ground in their chosen forms, will be exhibiting.

"Other major developments this year will be the re-invention of youth arts at the Brewery. New youth drama and dance workers will be starting from February and we will be offering a wealth of opportunities for young people to participate in these art forms to the highest standard.

"We are determined to develop our relationships with educational establishments in South Lakeland and it is great to see schools and colleges bringing their high quality work to the Brewery."

Casterton School sixth formers stage Federico Garcia Lorca's The House of Bernarda Alba, on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 21/22 (8pm). Set in a remote Spanish village, the play was written only a month before Lorca was murdered by fascists determined to purge the country of intellectuals and artists. It transcends its domestic setting becoming a piece about freedom and censorship, about self-expression and its opposites, fear and repression.

The powerful story traces the family of Bernarda Alba, played by Lily Khambata, after the death of her husband, in a house not only turned into a domestic prison but used as a metaphor for a country at war.

The following Saturday (January 25, 7.30pm), Kendal's Queen Katherine School presents An Arts Evening - a varied programme of student drama, dance, and music, taking place mainly in the theatre as well as visual art on display in the Malt Room where the QKS Stage Band will play during the interval.

On Monday and Tuesday, January 27/28 (7.30pm), Kirkbie Kendal School delivers a fun-filled, all-singing, all-dancing pantomime Sleeping Beauty, specially written by KK music and drama teacher Jayne Crow. The young performers range from year seven pupils to sixth formers with music provided by the school band.

Meanwhile, Kendal College returns to the Brewery on March 4/5 (8pm), after last year's Blame it on the Boogie success, with Vampyre - a new adaptation of the classic vampire myth which takes a fresh bite at the Dracula tale.

Box office 01539-725133.

January 9, 2003 10:30