CLEAR your diary for next month as the programme for Bournemouth’s third Arts by the Sea Festival has just been announced.

This includes a colourful array of theatre and dance events from September 20 to October 12.

There are several haunting events that are set to bring an end-of-summer feel to the festival.

On October 10, the show Nude brings a profoundly poignant theatrical extravaganza to the Pier Theatre. A performance by The Irrepressibles begins in the dark as a new world opens.

Sonic patterns ripple around the audience creating a sensual experience, transforming the theatre into a natural landscape of sound. Meanwhile, at Pavilion Dance South West, Ring – a seductive sound journey in complete darkness – asks its audiences to don headphones that amplify every intimate detail, placing the audience at the heart of a thrilling attack on their own identity. In a similarly dark vein on October 4, ten exceptional dancers from the Mark Bruce Company present Dracula, Bram Stoker's haunting, erotic tale.

With an eclectic mix of music from Bach and Mozart to Ligeti and Fred Frith, Bruce explores dance ranging from classical to powerful and physical contemporary dance with acclaimed dancer Jonathan Goddard playing the infamous vampire.

For a bite of a different kind, try Fanny & Johnnie Cradock Cook, The Great American Songbook. The Show of Strength Theatre Company play Fanny and Johnny Cradock and resuscitate those much-loved ‘70s favourites, the prawn cocktail and classic chicken dish. This show is at the Urban Reef restaurant, where culinary goddess Fanny Cradock and her long-suffering husband Johnnie demonstrate, argue, name drop and summon up a few ghosts.

Audiences are invited to enjoy a four-course (Fanny-esque) meal at the same time, as reinterpreted by host chef from Urban Reef.

n For more details visit artsbournemouth.org.uk.