The new year at Cambridge Arts Theatre kicks off – and kicks off is a highly appropriate phrase – with one of the most celebrated voices in the world of sports commentary. John Motson (Tues 24 Jan. £12.50-£22.50), commonly known in the footballing fraternity simply as ‘Motty’ will be appearing at the Arts Theatre this month for a on-off evening of chat and anecdotes, taking in his four decades as the Voice Of Football, during which he has commentated upon numerous World Cup Finals, European Cups and FA Cup Finals. Motty is the first in a series of ‘For One Night Only’ celebrity appearances during the first half of the year – others to look out for include Honor Blackman (Sun 5 Feb), Simon Callow talking about his new biography of Dickens (Sun 12 Feb), Simon Hoggart (Sun 4 March), the Today programme’s John Humphrys (Sun 1 April) and Gyles Brandreth (Sun 20 May).

As for the rest of this spring’s line-up, well, it’s as varied, accomplished and exciting as has come to be expected from one of the country’s premier regional theatres.
January alone sees some groundbreaking and exhilarating modern dance by the acclaimed BalletBoyz performing The Talent (Fri 20-Sat 21 Jan. £15-£25), before a welcome appearance of Declan Donnellan’s Cheek By Jowl company, reviving John Ford’s bloody masterpiece ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.

The modern master of comic theatre Alan Ayckbourn is back at the Arts with his 75th – yes, 75th – play. Neighbourhood Watch (Mon 30 Jan-Sat 4 Feb. £15-£30) is a cautionary tale of the dangers of taking the law into your own hands, and may contain gnomes.

Mogadishu (Tues 7-Sat 11 Feb. £15-£27) by Vivienne Franzmann has been described as the ‘play of the year’, and explores life, class and race at an inner-city secondary school, with events spiralling out of control after a white teacher is pushed over by a black pupil. Other February highlights include the ever-delightful children’s favourites Charlie and Lola in their Best Bestest Play (Fri 17-Sat 18 Feb. £12.50).
Into March and unmissable shows abound, including Headlong (oft-touted as ‘the most exciting touring theatre company’) with a contemporary production of Romeo and Juliet (Tues 6-Sat 10 March. £15-£27); and English Touring Theatre joining forces with Shakespeare’s Globe for a celebration of one of the country’s great historical heroines, in Howard Brenton’s Anne Boleyn (Thurs 15-Sat 17 March. £15-£30). Fans of vintage rock ‘n’ roll will love Save The Last Dance For Me (Mon 19-Sat 24 March. £15-£35), a brand new musical from the ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ team, set in the early 60s and featuring classic tracks of the era.

Bette and Joan (Mon 2-Sat 7 April. £15-£27) stars a powerhouse pairing in the form of Anita Dobson and Greta Scacchi as the feuding movie actresses Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the making of their film Whatever Happened To Baby Jane? Then – by popular demand – the hugely popular ‘Sesame Street with an X-rating’ puppet show Avenue Q (Tues 10-Sat 14 April. £15-£35) is back at the Arts Theatre following its successful run last year, before the best PM the country never had, the Right Honourable Jim Hacker makes an appearance in Anthony Jay and Jonathan Lynn’s bang-up-to-date Yes, Prime Minister (Mon 23-Sat 28 April. £15-£30).

As spring turns into summer, there’s no let-up in the quality, with Alan Bennett’s The Lady In The Van, Barefoot In The Park starring Maureen Lipman, the English Touring Opera with The Barber Of Seville and Eugene Onegin and Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing all among the productions to look forward to. Get booking now!

Cambridge Arts Theatre, 6 St Edward’s Passage. T: 01223 503333 www.cambridgeartstheatre.com