As the theatre launches a series of "plays for England" for its autumn season, it appears that the national fervour, created by the Jubilee and World Cup, continues.

The season kicks off with George Bernard Shaw's comedy, Mrs Warren's Profession, followed by Henry IV - Parts one and two, Harold Pinter's play Betrayal and that quintessentially English tale of life on the riverbank, The Wind in the Willows.

The Old Vic's Associate Director, Gareth Machin, was unsure about placing the new line-up under one banner, as, he insisted, each production had been chosen by its merit.

But, there is no disguising the fact that each play has something decidedly English about it.

"This is a season of plays which all tell very different stories about England," admitted Gareth.

"Mrs Warren's Profession is a social comedy about the role of women in Victorian times.

"Betrayal looks at marriage and friendship in middle England.

"The Wind in the Willows is the ultimate Edwardian road move - and, of course, Henry IV, parts one and two, are epic plays about the making of England as it is today."

For the dedicated theatre-goer there's even a couple of chances to see parts one and two in one go, with Henry IV I starting at 2.30pm followed by ii at 8pm!

The season unfolds as follows:

Theatre Royal - Old Vic King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED Tel: 0117 987 7877 Website

September 6th - October 5th Mrs Warren's Profession by George Bernard Shaw Isla Blair returns to the Old Vic to play one of George Bernard Shaw's greatest characters. A respectable businesswoman who has made her fortune by running a Europe-wide chain of brothels. October 11th - November 30th Henry IV, parts one and two One of the most ambitious projects undertaken by the theatre in recent years, Shakespeare's sweeping epics come to the Old Vic under the direction of Gareth Machin. Gerald Murphy takes centre stage as Falstaff, leading a company that includes Sean Dingwall as Hotspur and Hornblower star Jamie Bamber as Hal. December 6th - January 25th The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Director Elwyn Johnson promises that this latest version of Grahame's classic riverside tale will bring mischief and mayhem to the Old Vic. Stripped back to the basics Johnson says it will give children a chance to let their imaginations run free. January 31st - March 1st Betrayal by Harold Pinter The season concludes with Gareth Machin's revival of Pinter's famous play about a desperate love triangle involving a married couple and their best friend. Pinter has long associations Bristol with his first play premiering at the city's university and a 1996 return to direct Twelve Angry Men at the Old Vic.

The Old Vic's Basement theatre is taking a break for the autumn season after a very successful spring/summer and is expected to relaunch in the New Year.

Meanwhile the focus for new plays at the Old Vic moves across to the New Vic Studio.

Its season looks like this:

New Vic Studio King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED Tel: 0117 987 7877 Website

24th - 28th September The Joy Society Inside the dark and dangerous world of the carnival normality is turned upside down. 30th September - 5th October Beside Picasso Mick Jaspar and Iain Armstrong star as Pablo Picasso and Jamie Sabartes, his lifelong friend. 7th - 9th October Infinite Number of Monkeys do Gravity A fast and furious sketch show with Sir Isaac Newton as its central character. 11th and 12th October Lovin' a Sorna Gora A comedy combo of Asian stand-up, sitcom, songs and sketches. 16th October - 9th November Master Harold.. and the boys Set in a South Africa torn apart by apartheid this is a uniquely personal account of the life of a 17-year-old boy. 13th - 23rd November The Knight of the Burning Pestle Theatre School pupils present a Jacobean theatrical event. 25th - 30th November Oleanna The David Mamet play that split audiences around the Globe, with its ideals of free speech and invasive political correctness. 2nd - 7th December Talksexshow The Volcano Theatre Company offers you a unique opportunity to master some of the most difficult sexual practices known to mankind... 11th December - 11th January Four Toys in a Tent (a load of country noises and no loud bangs!) Join Jake and his friends Clown, Giraffe, Peggy and Rabbit for their daftest adventure yet. This is the third specially commissioned children's play in the Toys series and should delight the youngest theatre fans. 20th - 25th January Instant Wit The highly acclaimed Instant Wit return to the Old Vic for another bout of comedy improvisation.