There may have been plenty of tasty nibbles and fine wines on offer, but it was the upcoming lineup that left guests pining for more at The Orchard Theatre’s spring launch event.

Directors, producers and performers from the theatre’s most exciting new shows were on hand to provide a tantalising glimpse of what’s to come, which includes beloved comedy The 39 Steps and death defying stunt show Cirque Beserk.

Whatever your particular favourites, Dartford’s theatre-goers have been promised plenty to look forward to.

Nicola Samer, director of The 39 Steps, hopes her show proves just as successful at The Orchard as it has done in other theatres up and down the country.

“This makes part of the show’s 10th anniversary and we are thrilled that it is part of a season here at The Orchard,” she said.

“We are thrilled to now be sharing The 39 Steps with you and we very much hope you enjoy the show.

“It really is a lot of fun to put on.”

Cirque Berserk looks set to deliver plenty of thrills, with an international troupe of jugglers, acrobats, aerialists, dancers, drummers, stunt men and an award-winning clown called Tweedy.

The Orchard marks the first stop on the circus’ national tour, and director Martin Burton was keen to create something fans of traditional theatre had not seen before.

“I wanted to do a real thrill circus and bring it into theatres - to create a circus made for theatre,” said Mr Burton, who also founded the company behind the production, Zippos.

“We are very grateful to the theatre here and the extra help from the staff here has been absolutely brilliant.

“They have been solving problems that they have probably never had to solve before!”

Also on the schedule for the next few months are the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and contemporary dance show Into The Hoods.

The latter combines comedy and dance to put a modern twist on a classic story.

Dancer Duwane Taylor said: “It is about two kids who get lost in a council estate and along the way they meet spins on your favourite fairy tale characters.

“If you don’t laugh I will give you your money back!”

The Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, meanwhile, is celebrating 10 years at The Orchard, and managing director Ian Maclay said “no expense has been spared” in bringing Britain’s best musicians to Dartford.

From a classic orchestra to a fresh new take on the circus, The Orchard certainly can’t be accused of lacking in variety.

Theatre director Chris Glover said it was part of an active effort to diversify the line-up of shows in 2016.

“It is all part of the entire Orchard Theatre experience,” he said.

“We are introducing more and more plays and comedies and they are proving to be very popular with our audiences.

“We have also been introducing more dance to our programme here in Dartford.”

Of course, the classics are still proving popular.

The theatre revealed that 30,000 people watched Shane Richie star in Dick Whittington over Christmas, while 6,500 tickets have already been sold for this year’s panto, where Joe Pasquale will star in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Mayor Ian Armitt is delighted to see the town’s theatre doing so well.

“A few years ago there was some considerable talk at the council about closing the theatre,” he admitted.

“Since Chris and the current team have been here - for about three years now - The Orchard Theatre has actually given money back to the council.

“Not only do we have this wonderful theatre, but it also happens to help keep your council tax low!”

Cirque Berserk just enjoyed its week-long run at The Orchard , The 39 Steps runs from February 1 to February 6, Into The Hoods arrives on March 8, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra perform on June 5.

A full schedule can be found at orchardtheatre.co.uk.