TREVOR HEATON, EDP Whats On Editor They're not kidding when they say there's something from everyone in the new King's Lynn Corn Exchange season.

TREVOR HEATON, EDP Whats On Editor

They're not kidding when they say there's something from everyone in the new King's Lynn Corn Exchange season.

Any line-up which includes edgy comic Jimmy Carr, showbiz legend Des O'Connor, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and, er, Bananas in Pyjamas shows that, and then some!

Add to that mix Midge Ure, Roger Whittaker, Crystal Gayle, Jethro, the Chuckle Brothers, Dennis Locorriere, the Counterfeit Stones, That'll Be the Day and Opera East and you have the recipe for a packed summer of entertainment.

The first visit to the Tuesday Market Place venue of Channel 4's Jimmy Carr is definitely going to be one of the season's hottest tickets (although not as hot as Jethro, whose May 15 date is sold out).

After years of delighting audiences on the stand-up circuit with his deadpan how-does-he-get-away-with-it style and quickfire gags, Carr has broken through to the big time in the last year or so. Tickets for his June 11 appearance are £17.50.

Des O'Connor is one of those select few entertainers (Bruce Forysth, Ken Dodd…) who have retained the public's affection for generations. With an easygoing charm and self-deprecating sense of humour, Des has been a mainstay of the British entertainment scene for 50 years. And, of course, he's sold millions of records in the process. On May 29 he'll be showcasing some of those, include selections from his recent album A Tribute to the Crooners. Grab your £21.50 tickets quickly.

An artist making her debut at the venue is US country singer Crystal Gayle (May 10, £22). The Grammy award-winning star is calling at Lynn with her eight-piece band. Her mega-selling Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue propelled her to international stardom in the Seventies and helped blaze the trail for today's new country stars.

Another newcomer to West Norfolk is the golden-voiced Roger Whittaker (June 20, £22.50), who has sold millions of records with such classics as Durham Town and The Last Farewell.

Making his first visit for several years is Midge Ure (May 13, £14.50) who brings his intimate acoustic show featuring material from his award-winning back catalogue, together with songs from his favourite artists.

Midge first burst on to the pop scene with boy band Slik, before turning Ultravox from an artrock combo to consistent chart performers.

But his place in pop history is most secure through co-writing the multi-million seller Do They Know It's Christmas?

Folk-rock pioneers Fairport Convention (May 3) have had a veritable who's who of British folk names in their ranks over the years and remain giants of the folk scene. Tickets for their return visit to Lynn are £15.50 and £8.50.

The voice of Dr Hook – Dennis Locorriere – returns to West Norfolk on May 28 for a date on his One of the Lucky Ones tour. Tickets £15.50, concs £14.50. More returnees is Paul Jones' does-what-it-says-on-the-tin the Blues Band (June 8, £15.50, concs £14.50) and the funny (spot-on musically) tribute act the Counterfeit Stones (June 4, £15.50, concs £14.50, £8.50).

There's a feast of musical nostalgia shows lined up: Dancin' in the Street (April 27, £19.50) and The Magic of Motown (June 10, £16.50/£8.50) – both celebrating the output of the Motor City, plus Thank You For the Music (April 28, £16.50), Hollywood Party (May 14, £14.50, concs £13.50) a musical celebration of the golden age of the Hollywood Musical presented by Sheridan Morley and featuring the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, A Night at the Musicals (May 20, £15.50-£8.50) with Lynn's own West End star Duncan Breeze, and – of course – That'll Be the Day (June 5, £17.50).

Classical music lovers aren't left out either. La Serenissima presenting an evening of Antonio Vivaldi (June 12, £14.50, concs £13.50) and Opera East bringing Mozart's tale of lust, revenge and punishment Don Giovanni (June 30, £18-£14.50), and the return of the City of London Sinfonia (May 18, £16.50-£7), with music from Tchaikovsky and Brahms. Lovers of military music will lap up the appearance of the Regimental Band of Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards (June 9, £16.50, concs £15.50).

Talking of brass music brings us to the world-famous Black Dyke Band (July 17, £16.50) appearing as part of the Lynn Festival. Other festival attractions include the OSJ and King's Lynn Festival Chorus (July 21, £22.50-£16.50, standby £5), the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (July 30, £32-£18.50, standby £5) and Aled Jones (July 20, £21).

Other eye-catching visitors include the return of Spirit of the Dance (June 19, two shows) and the first visit of Elephant (June 25), a British-South African show with dance, story-telling and music celebrating 'ubuntu' (humanity).

Children's entertainment includes Engie Benjy (May 7), Bananas in Pyjamas (June 3), The Chuckle Brothers (June 18, two shows) and Hey Diddle Diddle (August 24).

And there's more beside. To find out more call the box office on 01553 764864 or online at www.kingslynncornexchange.co.uk