Our audiences are never quite sure what they're going to get!

they all take a starring role in the new season of A Play, a Pie and a Pint.

The curtain will rise on the popular lunchtime theatre series, of which the Evening Times is media partner, at Oran Mor on Monday, September 3.

On the menu is a new play every week, from Monday to Saturday, where audiences can enjoy a bite-sized performance in under an hour. And, of course, a pie and a pint is included in the ticket price.

So what can audiences expect from the autumn programme?

"Variety is the thing that I really look out for," says artistic director David MacLennan.

"I think what our audiences love is coming along and not being quite sure what they're going to get.

"Is it just going to be a laugh or deadly serious? Is it going to be a monologue or a three hander? Is it going to be contemporary or a historical piece?

"That's terribly important, I think; to keep the audiences guessing."

Since its launch in 2004, A Play, a Pie and a Pint has attracted a host of top writers, directors and actors – Robbie Coltrane, Elaine C Smith, David Hayman and Tony Roper are just some of the famous faces who have taken to the stage.

"It's a great platform for young, new talent as well as the established names, and that balance is really important," says David.

"One week you might come along and see a play by a young writer you've never heard of, and the next play might be by Bill Paterson or Liz Lochhead.

"I think that's part of the key to the success of the thing.

"Many of the writers whose first plays are produced here have gone on to be commissioned by other companies or television."

The new series kicks off with Dead Famous written by Keith Temple, who has penned for TV programmes including EastEnders, Emmerdale, Dr Who and River City. The play, which runs from September 3 to 8, tells the story of Michael R Cane, charming stage psychic who is back in his home city of Glasgow for what promises to be an unforgettable gig.

Next up, from September 10 to 15, is The Room in the Elephant by Tom Wainwright, a collaboration with Bristol's Tobacco Factory Theatre, which is based on the real-life story of artist Banksy, a water tank and a homeless man in Los Angeles. Chalk Farm, which runs from September 17 to 22, and is written by AJ Taudevin and Kieran Hurley, explores love, responsibility and the culture of blame and retribution surrounding the 2011 English riots.

There's puppetry and stand-up comedy in the darkly humourous The Great Disappointment of Santa Muerta by Amanda Monfrooe, which runs from October 1 to 6.

The piece follows Amanda's bleak but enlightening experience rehearsing and finally playing the role of a lifetime: the Saint of Death.

Another Tobacco Factory Theatre collaboration is the debut play by Frances Poet, Faith Fall, from October 15 to 20, while Princess for a Day, October 29 to November 3, is a comedy drama written by Jack Dickson that centres on Malkie and HIV-positive Raz, who, having discovered he's a father, is determined to become a presence in his daughter's life. Can seven-month-old Princess redeem a pair of raddled drug addicts?

Astonishing Archie, by Bill Paterson, from November 5 to 10, revolves around brothers Ronnie and Alan, and the war between them. The Second World War. When a friend dies, audiences see how the event affected their lives, their attitudes and their record collections.

The autumn season will culminate in Oran Mor's annual Christmas panto, Aladdin and Wee Jeannie, written by David and Dave Anderson.

"A Play, a Pie and a Pint ticks a lot of boxes," says David.

"You get something to eat, you get something to drink, it's in a convivial surrounding and if you don't like the play as much as you might, there's a new one the next week."

And he adds with a laugh: "If you loved the play and thought the pie wasn't exactly to your tastes, then you still ticked two boxes."

n Go to www. playpiepint.com for more information on the new season's plays and to see pictures of past productions.