What with a weekly Guardian magazine column to file (‘Diary of a Disappointing Daughter’, every Saturday) and regular appearances on the BBC’s ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘Muslim Driving School’ and ‘The Now Show’ to prepare for, you wouldn’t think multi-tasking comedian Shazia Mirza would have much time left to put a new show together. But this quick witted, multi-tasking renaissance woman has earmarked the time to take to the Ustinov stage on Saturday 16 October, when her new show ‘Multiple Choice’ explores the roads not travelled as we stumble through careers, affairs and family relationships.

Astonishingly polished a capella group The Magnets swing into Komedia on Thursday 7 October, when they’ll be fusing their trademark vocal harmonies with non-instrumental ‘beatboxing’ to create a sound that’ll leave audiences wondering where the band is hidden. ‘Gobsmacked!’, The Magnets’ current show, gives iconic songs (including Joy Division and Scissor Sister classics) an all-vocal remix, blending musical sophistication, smart choreography, audience participation and thoroughly British charm to wondrous effect.

It’s a busy day on Burt’s farm, but the rain is falling and the tractor is stuck in a muddy ditch. Even with all his friends helping, Burt can’t shift the tractor. Fortunately, help is at hand in the form of a live, lively band – and you, the audience! Burt’s Magical Musical Farmhouse comes to The egg on Saturday 25 September, and is recommended for little people aged 2-5 (and, of course, the grown ups they look after). But the older kids don’t have to miss out on a trip to the theatre. ‘8Sixteen32’ – created by the highly acclaimed Decypher Collective, a company that brings the cream of the UK’s spoken word, poetry and music talent together – brings a pioneering piece of young people’s theatre fusing lyrics, comedy and a tailor-made score of beats, rhythms and melodies specifically aimed at audiences aged 14+ to The egg on Monday 4-Tuesday 5 October.

Hotshot director Bernie Dodd throws fading luvvie Frank Elgin a career-resurrecting lifeline. But will Frank manage to hold his demons at bay long enough to regain his confidence – and is his wife, Georgie, his saviour or his foe? You decide, when Martin (‘The Professionals’/’Judge John Deed’) Shaw takes on the role of the leading man in this pre-West End production of writer Clifford Odets’ riveting drama ‘The Country Girl’ at the Theatre Royal for six days from Monday 20 September. Almost as soon as Shaw leaves the stage, ‘Carrie’s War’ takes over: this heart-warming adaptation of Nina Bawden’s evocative tale of second world war evacuees runs from Monday 27 September-Saturday 2 October.

The interactive Build-A-Bear Workshop (“Where Best Friends Are Made,^” don’cha know) opens in SouthGate this month. This interactive shopping experience offers visitors the opportunity to choose from over 30 teddy bears, bunnies, dogs and other furry friends, all of whom are waiting to be given their own unique personality; dress them up or down to your heart’s desire, choosing from a range of outfits ranging from the traditional to the downright surreal, by way of bling. Okay, BAB is a commercial, slightly cheesy take on the good old toyshop experience. But you know what? It’s also great fun. If, however, you prefer toyshops of a more, erm, educational nature, fans of the Early Learning Centre will be glad to know that a brand new, spruced-up branch of this long-established chain has opened in Saracen Street. Hoorah!

Allow yourself to be whisked back to the golden age of good times courtesy of an experience that evokes the smooth’n’smoky nightclub ambience of times gone by when ‘20th Century Foxes: Cabaret from the Age of Glamour’ turns back the Chapel Arts Centre clock in a most elegant fashion on Friday 1 October. Dress for the occasion (there’ll be prizes for the best efforts) and prepare to sip classy vintage cocktails as a floorshow of magic, comedy, live music and Lindy Hopping shows you how much fun the original beautiful people used to have.

‘Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience’ revisits Bath on Sunday 24 October, bringing what could loosely be described as the 13th episode of the classic, much-loved TV series to Komedia which – for one night only – will be transformed into the restaurant of the infamous Fawlty Towers hotel. The £37.50 ticket price includes a three-course meal served (although we use the term loosely) by ‘Basil’, ‘Sybil’ and ‘Manuel’ themselves. The Pig considered putting this bit of news into the Eating Out section; after much deliberation, we reckoned that such a move might be akin to mentioning the war to our elderly German visitors…

Whether you like yours sophisticated, simple or downright salacious, all manner of cheese lovers will find much to give them dairy-licious dreams on Saturday 30 October, when the Fine Cheese Co Festival brings the UKs finest artisan cheese makers together in Milsom Place. Meet the makers (including Bath Soft Cheese head honcho Graham Padfield, celebrity dairymaids Suzanne Stirke and Sue Proudfoot and, of course, Bath’s wonderful Fine Cheese Co founder herself, Ann-Marie Dyas) in person, sample their wares and load up your larder at this super-cheesy event.

Autumn is in the air, and suddenly, supper at home is a very appealing idea. Let the Bertinet Kitchen’s ‘Autumn Entertaining’ day (Friday 8 October) re-inspire your domestic menu and expand your personal repertoire as you learn how to use the freshest, seasonal ingredients to create elegant dinner party menus to be served with a flourish as you relax with your lucky, lucky guests. This one-day course costs £145 (including lunch with wine), and it’s just one of a lively schedule of autumn/winter classes, including ‘Desperate Housewives and Hapless Husbands (Friday 24 September), a cupcake workshop (Thursday 14 October) and, of course, several breadmaking masterclasses with the head dough boy himself, Richard Bertinet.

Meet the Bath Priory’s award-winning Head Gardener Jane Moore and swoonsome Executive Chef Michael Caines MBE at the hotel and spa’s final ‘Fork to Fork’ lunch of the year on Thursday 23 September. The experience starts with a guided tour of the gardens, after which Michael will explain how the garden and Bath’s local produce in general is integrated into Bath Priory’s menus, answering any questions you may have over a two-course lunch, with wine. Tickets are £50pp – book now or forever hold your peas.