One of Britain's top live comedians and a show described as the 'most successful to ever tour the UK' will both be taking to the stage in Lowestoft later this year.

'Pub landlord' Al Murray will bring his The Only Way is Epic tour to the Marina Theatre on November 27.

A month earlier, the successful big screen spin-off Calendar Girls – with a star-studded cast including TV comedy stalwarts Lesley Joseph and Ruth Madoc – will be in town for a week-long run.

The acts are the latest big names to be signed up by the Marina since its management was taken on by a new trust in December. But with tickets on sale from today, people are being urged book early to avoid disappointment.

Martin Halliday, chief executive of the Marina Theatre Trust, said: 'We're thrilled to be able to announce more top class live entertainment in Lowestoft. Now that the theatre has moved into an independent trust, for the first time in several years we have the opportunity to actively seek major shows and artistes.

'The enormous success of the recent Dreamboats and Petticoats has further enhanced the theatre's growing reputation within the industry, therefore enabling us to bring even more top-class events to the Marina,' he added.

Al Murray has come a long way since picking up the prestigious Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1999, with his alter-ego, The Pub Landlord, becoming a national comedy institution.

The multi-award-winning comedian's brand new show, The Only Way is Epic, will once again feature live stand-up from the irrepressible innkeeper.

But, with the show containing adult themes, parental discretion is advised.

Calendar Girls, a successful spin-off from the 2003 film of the same name, will be at the Marina for a week from October 29. Its story centres around a group of ordinary women, members of the Yorkshire WI, who spark a global phenomenon by persuading one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference.

It stars Lesley Joseph, who shot to fame as Dorien in BBC comedy Birds of Feather; Kacey Ainsworth, who played little Mo in Eastenders; Su Holderness, who is best known as Marlene Boyce in Only Fools and Horses; Deena Payne, who played Viv Hope in Emmerdale; Helen Fraser, who played prison officer Sylvia 'Bodybag' Holamby in Bad Girls; Ruth Madoc, best known as Gladys Pugh in Hi-De-Hi and Camilla Dallerup, one of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals. They are joined by Kathryn Rooney, who returns to Calendar Girls having starred in the West End production and ex-Hollyoaks star Kevin Sacre, who plays Lawrence the photographer.

A spokesman for the show said: 'Since opening at the Chichester Festival Theatre in September 2008, Calendar Girls has been an unprecedented success playing over 100 sell-out weeks at theatres across the country as well as a triumphant run in London's West End. Calendar Girls has become the most successful play to ever tour the UK and has grossed more at the box office than the smash hit film with ticket sales in excess of �25m.'

?To book seats for Al Murray or Calendar Girls at the Marina Theatre call the box office on 01502 533200.