SALISBURY Arts Centre has launched its summer season with comedy, music, dance and theatre on the bill.

Diverse events include the ‘Transplant’ exhibition ( August 13-22) which brings together sculpture, image, music, poetry and living plants. This theme will be highlighted by the ‘Transplant Music Night’ on Sunday June 26 when strings, wind, percussion, guitars, organs and songs performed by North Sea Orchestra will echo the theme of the exhibition.

The physical comedy theatre company Le Navet Bete make a popular return in early May with a new production of family show ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. The performances on May 5 and 6 are a comedy bonanza of ridiculous characters, live music and song, hilarious dances, utter stupidity and more.

Paines Plough return with a new theatrical experience ‘With a Little Bit of Luck’ on Wednesday 11 May which revives garage music of 2001 in a blend of festival, theatre and music that explores the legacy of a cultural movement that defined the hopes of a generation.

The season's musical highlights include Tom Robinson performing as part of his ‘Home in the Morning’ tour on Saturday May, 7, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr bringing their distinctive brand of folk music on Thursday June 23 and Michael Messer’s Mitra blending Delta music with Hindustani classical music on Saturday July 2.

Music and comedy blend together in a new show from musical satirists Jonny and the Baptists: ‘The End is Nigh’ on Sunday May 22. The show blends comedy, theatre and rock music in a captivating story of family, friendship and environmental disaster.

Mapdance celebrates its tenth anniversary with a mixture of new commissions created by renowned contemporary choreographers and aspiring newcomers. Their performance on Tuesday 3 May combines gritty dance-theatre, wry humour and intricate and questioning choreography.

‘Can I Start Again Please’ is a theatre piece from Sue MacLaine Company which explores childhood trauma using semiotic theory and Wittgenstein’s philosophy. The production on Wednesday 29 June examines the power of language, as well as its failings. Parallel narratives are told in spoken English, British Sign Language to create a mesmerising mix of verbal, visual and physical performance.

All these performances are set against a backdrop of regular Salisbury Arts Centre favourites; film showings, Live Lunches on selected Saturdays, Big Band Brunches on two Sundays and Altar Club events on two Saturday nights during the summer. There is even a special ‘Duvet Day’ event in August for parents and babies 18 months and younger, and a special showcase event open to everyone on September 17.

Information and tickets: www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk and through the Box Office on 01722 321744.