THE Stephen Joseph Theatre, in Scarborough, marks its 60th anniversary this year with a host of special events planned and familiar faces making an appearance.

This month, work starts within the existing theatre walls, which will see the creation of a new studio space for the OutReach department, as well as prop and storage facilities. It will be unveiled on May 3.

The Round will be out of action during the development, but the show goes on and the annual ReachOut Festival returns from February 7 to 28, celebrating the work of young and old members of the community through performances, workshops and mini-festivals.

The theatre then welcomes a variety of visiting shows in the McCarthy auditorium.

Based on the true story of the 1972 Builders’ Strike, Townsend Productions’ United We Stand tells the story behind the dispute with popular and political songs, arranged by folk musician John Kirkpatrick, on March 10.

BBC 2013 Slam Champion Sophia Walker takes audiences Around The World in Eight Mistakes on March 14, followed by a spoken word performance.

You can re-capture your youth on March 18 with an honest look at the world through teenage eyes in Art with Heart’s Secret Diaries. As the Iron Lady stands and Iron Curtain falls, Hayley, her dad and best friend struggle to find their way in an ever-changing world.

Mary Jo Randle, star of TV series’ The Bill and Cutting It, plays ever-optimistic Barbara in Big Pants and Botox by Louise Roche. She takes the audience on a hilarious, intriguing, touching, but ultimately uplifting journey on March 20 and 21.

Then it’s time for surreal black comedy in Mugs Arrows on March 26 and 27. This play by Eddie Elks, set in a Derbyshire pub, explores the depths of the human psyche, love, loss, friendship and darts, leading to disturbing results.

As we head into the Easter weekend, families will enjoy Yeh Shen, a beautiful and enchanting tale of a young orphaned girl, a magical fish, a nasty stepmother and sister and a lost shoe, on April 3. The story first appeared in ninth century China, more than 1,000 years before the first European Cinderella.

From April 4 to 7, the theatre stages Satin ‘n’ Steel, a moving, feel-good piece of theatre from Amanda Whittington. When karaoke singer Teena White meets veteran pro, Vince Steel, they form club duo Satin ‘n’ Steel and a deep love soon forms, but a guilty secret threatens to smash their showbiz bubble.

Pete Firman, the UK’s leading comedy magician, is coming to Scarborough for one night only on April 9. Expect crowd-pleasing comedy and jaw-dropping magic from the star of BBC One’s The Magicians. Pete, a former worker in the theatre bar, will also host a special 60th anniversary question and answer session following the show.

Alison Skilbeck, who performed regularly with Alan Ayckbourn at the theatre from 1975 to 1989, returns on April 10 and 11 to present Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London.

Her solo show explores the life of Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the president, who in 1942 takes a dangerous trip to wartime London. As part of the 60th anniversary fringe events, there will also be a Tea Time Talk with Alison on April 11.

On April 14, Matt Panesh performs his award-winning 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show 300 to 1. See a schoolboy re-enact the macho film 300 to First World War poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Matt will also deliver a set as the comedy rhymester Monkey Poet.

Rising stars of the folk scene, Harp and a Monkey perform The Great War: New Songs and Stories on April 18. It includes original and reworked traditional songs with poignant, tragic and humorous anecdotes.

The Round reopens for Northern Broadsides which presents Shakespeare’s King Lear from April 21 to 25. Barrie Rutter plays Lear, an ageing and deeply flawed individual who wrecks his relationship with his three daughters and in doing so, loses all he has.

Tickets are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and at sjt.uk.com