‘IN this world where we live, there should be more happiness,’ they sang at the end of every show.

The wonderful Morecambe and Wise might be gone in real life, but we can enjoy the sunshine once again thanks to Ian Ashpitel and Jonty Stephens.

The Olivier nominated pair are bringing their West End hit An Evening of Eric and Ern, brimming with those famous comedy sketches that hit all the right notes, to Hexham in October.

Ben Elton’s take on it was: “I never thought I’d see Morecambe and Wise live – I think I just have!”

It is but one of the pearls in the autumn season at the Queen’s Hall.

There is an opportunity for an ‘evening with’ another national treasure too – John Challis, aka Boycie from Only Fools and Horses.

He is all ready to reveal some of the behind-the-scenes stories drawn from his time working on Dr Who and Coronation Street too, and his friendships with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Oliver Reed and George Best.

Plenty of more laughs are planned, courtesy of Jason Cook, Jason Byrne and more.

Sindhu Vee, an Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer Nominee last year, is bringing her new show, Sandhog.

The premise, she says, is: “Loving your children, spouse and ageing parents (in that order, please don’t tell my mother) is very hard work, very intense and a lot of the time it sucks.

“But who wants to live without love?”

The plain-speaking Andy Parsons will be equally true to himself, during his appearance in December.

The Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and QI regular is busy fine-tuning his famous bulls**t antennae as we speak.

And then there’s the hilarious romp In and Out of Chekhov’s Shorts, which runs through some of Checkhov’s best short stories, including The Lady with the Little Dog, The Chemist’s Wife, At a Summer Villa and The Bear.

There’s plenty of great drama this season too, beginning with Northern Stage’s production of The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Maintaining the suspense, Elysium Theatre will present Playland, by the feted South African playwright Athol Fugard. It’s New Year’s Eve 1989 in South Africa and a new country is about to be born.

Somewhere in the wilderness, two men confront each other, one white, one black, both with blood on their hands. Each must face what they have done and begin their own journeys of truth and reconciliation.

Shackleton’s Carpenter, by Gail Louw, sounds equally interesting. Harry McNish, a brilliant carpenter and shipwright, played a vital role in ensuring all 28 on board lived to tell the tale after Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, sank in Antarctica.

There is also music, from Beatlemania through the jazz of pianist Paul Taylor and the folk music of the Melrose Quartet to the full programme of classical concerts mounted by Hexham & District Music Society.

And there is dance, not least the whirlwind athleticism of James Wilton Dance. One of Europe’s most in demand dance companies, it will present The Storm, complete with acrobatics, break-dancing and martial arts.

Artistic director Katy Taylor said: “This season is a fusion of fresh ideas and firm favourites. At the Queen’s Hall, we know we must remain relevant in a changing world, but also provide certainty and great entertainment, so we are always reviewing our programme.”