Classic teen magazines, a spoof adventure through Game of Thrones and a human-sized feline wearing some peculiar head wear. You certainly can’t knock The Orchard Theatre for lacking variety.

Stars of the stage gathered in Dartford for the theatre’s seasonal summer launch, unveiling a host of shows heading to the town over the next few months.

He may not be an actor, but X Factor winner Matt Cardle was certainly the star attraction.

The Brit Award nominee is set to perform his biggest hits and covers at The Orchard on Tuesday, July 19.

His date with Dartford is part of a nationwide tour, which will feature new material from his forthcoming album, Higher Power.

Also there were Douglas McJannet, producer of Jackie The Musical and former magazine editor Nina Myskow.

Richard Porter, the producer of Buddy The Musical, and Jamie Wilson, producer of Sister Act, were there too, as were members of Dartford Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society who spoke about their upcoming show, Annie Get Your Gun.

Kicking things off is Dr Seuss’ The Cat In The Hat, which will play from today (Thursday) to Saturday as part of a nationwide tour.

The childhood favourite is followed by critically-acclaimed West End hit Graeme of Thrones, which also plays on Saturday.

Despite a cast of just three actors, Graeme of Thrones promises a unique and humorous take on the various decapitations, epic battles and steamy love affairs of the wildly popular HBO show.

Also performing at The Orchard next month is Jackie The Musical, running from Tuesday, June 14 to Saturday, June 18.

Hoping to tap into the nostalgia of fans of the 1970s magazine, the production comes to Dartford as part of what has so far been a successful UK tour. Last week’s Messenger carried an interview with one of its stars, Tricia Adele-Turner, who lives in nearby Stone.

“It is a show that everybody involved in is so massively proud of. It is lovely to be part of something fresh and new,” she said.

Let It Be, a celebration of The Beatles, sees Dartford’s theatre-goers into July to coincide with the 53rd anniversary of the band’s second single, Please Please Me. Book your seat for an evening of twisting and shouting from June 27 to July 2.

If a more traditional form of dancing appeals, then The Rhythm of the Dance could be the show for you.

The tribute to Irish history promises world champion dancers and a traditional Irish band when it arrives in Dartford on Wednesday, July 20.

July comes to a close with a show the whole family will surely enjoy, as The Orchard spares no expense in bringing Dinosaur Zoo to its stage. Tickets are available as part of its fourth major UK tour from Sunday, July 24, to Tuesday, July 26.

You can book tickets for any of The Orchard’s upcoming shows by visiting orchardtheatre.co.uk or calling 01322 220000.