APOTENTIALLY "life-changing" programme of art and performance will be on offer at Lighthouse in Poole this autumn.

That is the claim by outgoing chief executive, Alistair Wilkinson, who says: "I truly believe the arts have the ability to change lives.

"Culture is an essential aspect of living.

Here, at Lighthouse, we strive to provide easy access to culture as well as being a fun place for entertainment."

His comment comes as he introduces his final programme - a heady mix of theatre, music, dance, comedy and spoken word events.

Highlights include edge-of-the-seat dramas And Then There Were None, Don't Look Now and Wuthering Heights.

There are two "must see" contemporary dance companies led by Hofesh Schecter and Jasmin Vadimon, a full programme of family-friendly theatre, concerts by Eduardo Niebla, Kate Rusby, Jason Rebello and Emma Kirkby and provocative spoken word sessions from Will Self, Arabella Weir and Rabbi Lionel Blue.

The season ends with a three-week run of Dick Wittington starring EastEnders actor Jack Ryder.

Wilkinson stands down from the position of chief-executive at the end of September after two years to become a freelance arts consultant.

It's a move that will allow him spend more time with his wife and two daughters.

He says he's happy to be leaving Lighthouse in fine fettle and says that part of the arts centre's ethos has been to create balance between cutting edge art and providing a facility at the centre of the local community.

High ticket sales from events such as The Vagina Monologues or The Blues Brothers Party enables Lighthouse to support community and participatory events.

The new autumn brochure lists dozens of workshops, events and activities for Dorset residents provided at low cost or completely free.

The new season gets underway with The Shakespeare Revue on Monday 15.

This cabaret-style musical show, based on well known Shakespearean characters and plots and performed by a West End cast, was premiered at the Royal Shakespeare Company before moving to London's Vaudeville Theatre.

Devised by Christopher Luscombe and Malcolm McKee, with choreography by Jenny Arnold, the fast-moving evening of music and comedy features sketches and show-stopping musical numbers from Noël Coward, Cole Porter, Tom Lehrer, Stephen Sondheim and even Monty Python.

It includes contemporary pieces from the cream of British comedy writers including Victoria Wood, Maureen Lipman, Fascinating Aïda, Fry & Laurie, Ned Sherrin and Olivier Award-winners Stiles and Drewe.

Further information on it and all the events from www.lighthousepoole.co.uk