Emma LeeA feast of Shakespeare, dance, drama and comedy head the winter line-up at Norwich Theatre Royal.The new programme, which is announced today, includes acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne's contemporary re-telling of Cinderella, the Merry Wives of Windsor, staged by the Globe Theatre as part of its first ever UK tour, and a Christmas concert by Aled Jones.Emma Lee

A feast of Shakespeare, dance, drama and comedy head the winter line-up at Norwich Theatre Royal.

The new programme, which is announced today, includes acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne's contemporary re-telling of Cinderella, the Merry Wives of Windsor, staged by the Globe Theatre as part of its first ever UK tour, and a Christmas concert by Aled Jones.

To The Manor Born stars Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles reunite on stage in Peter Hall's The Rivals which runs from September 27 to October 2.

The Agatha Christie Theatre Company return with Witness For The Prosecution from November 8-13 with a cast including Denis Lill (The Royal), Robert Duncan (Drop The Dead Donkey) and Peter Byrne (Dixon of Dock Green).

The world-renowned Globe Theatre brings The Merry Wives Of Windsor to Norwich on November 23 to 27. The comedy will feature Hollyoaks star Gerard McCarthy and Serena Evans (Sergeant Darkins in The Thin Blue Line).

And the all-male Shakespeare company Propeller returns from February 15 to 19. They wowed audiences on their first visit last year and will be presenting The Comedy of Errors and Richard III.

Contemporary dance fans are in for a real treat in March.

The Richard Alston Dance Company returns from March 1-2 with a programme which includes Alston's brand new work Even More and his contemporary classic Roughcut.

And the theatre hosts Matthew Bourne's Cinderella from March 22-26. This completely revised production gives the classic fairytale a twist, setting it in the Second World War.

And there's classical ballet from the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre with two productions: Swan Lake from January 18-20 and The Sleeping Beauty from January 21-22.

Family shows include Shaun The Sheep from February 21 to 24 and the Horrible Histories team, which will take the audience back in time from March 28 to April 1 with The Awful Egyptians and The Ruthless Romans.

A number of new one-night shows have also been added to the theatre's programme. National treasure Ken Dodd returns on October 3, and internationally-acclaimed stand-up comic and writer Stewart Francis takes to the stage on October 26. Comedian Ross Noble plays the theatre on December 5, Punt and Dennis are at the venue on January 10, Cornish comic Jethro is back on March 4 and 5, and Stephen K Amos heads to the city on May 9 .

And Aled Jones presents a feast of Christmas music on December 19.

The new shows join several musicals, which have already been announced.

Tickets are selling fast for Hairspray starring former Brookside actor Michael Starke and Monkee Mickey Dolenz which runs from February 1 to 12, and full casting has now been announced for Chess from November 30 to December 4.

Written by Abba's Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, and Tim Rice, it stars James Fox, who shot to stardom in TV's Fame Academy and has gone on to have a successful stage career and Poppy Tierney, who played one of the title roles in The Witches of Eastwick opposite Marti Pellow.

And Emmerdale favourite Hayley Tamaddon and Bad Girls actor James Gaddas have been confirmed for the cast of Spamalot, which runs from October 4 to 9 joining ex-EastEnder Todd Carty.

John Bultitude, of Norwich Theatre Royal, said: 'The winter programme here promises to be something very special. We are delighted to welcome the Globe Theatre here on their first UK tour. Add in the return of two Norwich favourites with Propeller and Matthew Bourne, plus a host of music and comedy favourites, and there are plenty of theatrical delights in the months ahead.'

For more information contact 01603 630000.