TREVOR HEATON, EDP Whats On Editor The Princess Theatre at Hunstanton has lined up a typically packed programme for its autumn season – including a rare chance to go behind the scenes.

TREVOR HEATON, EDP Whats On Editor

Music, comedy, drama and its much-loved panto… that's the tempting mix at this popular West Norfolk venue.

Things get off to a tuneful start with Terry Clarke and the Easy Lover Band presenting Both Sides of Phil Collins, paying tribute to the band and solo career of the Genesis singer (September 2, £14-£8.50).

The following night sees popular local singer Lindsay Hamilton present An Evening with… in aid of that very worthy Norfolk charity Break (£12.50-£8.50).

Musical nostalgia shows are always very popular these days, so expect tickets for The Fabulous 50s and the Swinging 60s (September 9, £13.50-£8.50) to be in demand.

The summer season shows round off with the regional final of Search for a Star on September 10 (£7.50), and the final running of Best of British Music Hall from the Hiss and Boo Company on September 16 (3pm, £9.50).

The following day there's a rare chance to see what makes this venue tick when you can enjoy a Princess Theatre Open Day. Running 10am-4pm, the free event follows on from the success of a similar day held at the Corn Exchange last year and will be a rare opportunity to see the theatre as never before. With access all areas, the building will be open for everyone to explore backstage or take part in one of many activities on offer.

Dangerous Corner, one of JB Priestley's celebrated “Time Plays” will be running for three nights (September 25-27). It is a brilliant thriller full of plot twists and with an unexpected ending that will send a shiver down your spine! Tickets £14.50-£12.50.

The last day of the month sees an afternoon show from children's television presenter Dave Benson Phillips with his Get Up and Go Show, with a little help from his furry friend Big Bear. Tickets £8 (family tickets available).

A tribute to one of the greatest (and most distinctive) singers of the rock'n'roll era takes place on October 1 with Blue Bayou - Tribute to Roy Orbison. Tickets for the show, a fully-narrated journey in sound and vision, are £13.50- £9.50.

More great music with the return of Mad About the Musicals (October 6, £14, £13, £12, £8.50) with more than two hours of showstoppers from the West End and Broadway.

The Outrageous Jimmy Jones the following evening features a night of strictly adults-only comedy (£13.50-£9.50), while on October 8 Buddy Holly and the Cricketers pay tribute to the bespectacled rock'n'roll icon in what would have been his 70th year (£13-£9.50).

Making his first visit to the Princess Theatre is American singer and former voice of globally successful band Dr Hook, Dennis Locorriere on October 14. Tickets to hear the singer of such classics as Sylvia's Mother and A Little Bit More are £15.50-£9.50.Bobby Crush's Liberace Live from Las Vegas (October 15) is a glitzy tribute to the great pianist and showman (£14.50-£9.50), while in contrast the London Classic Theatre Company present The Double Inconstancy (October 21) a fast and furious comedy of manners by French writer Pierre Carlet de Marivaux (£10.50).

Country Meets Skiffle (October 22) features a tribute to skiffle king Lonnie Donegan from his son Pete and the music of Johnny Cash courtesy of band Keep It Cash. Tickets £13.50-£9.50.

Following the local Royal British Legion's Lest We Forget and Festival of Remembrance Service (October 28, £9-£6.50), there's a visit the following day from a real favourite with Princess Theatre audiences, 'Big Fella' Brendan Shine. Tickets for the Irish singer are £14.50-£9.50.

November 5 sees fireworks of a musical kind with Hooked on Country: Sold on Sixties featuring those popular regional performers Texas Gun, Country Company and Jolene and Barry (tickets £13-£9.50). Irish favourite Sean Wilson is back at the Princess on November 11 with more accordion-based singalongs (£12.50-£9.50).

The following night Colin Gold brings his acclaimed portrait of one of Britain's best-loved rock'n'roll stars in Halfway to Paradise: The Billy Fury Story. Colin is backed by some chaps who know a thing or two about Billy Fury - his original backing band The Tornadoes. Tickets £14.50-£9.50.

The Princess Theatre Club presents Noel Coward's drama Relative Values (November 16-18, £8/£7), which is followed by comedy favourite Joe Pasquale on November 19 with two performances of his latest show, The Return of the Love Monkey (£16.50-£9.50).

And to bring the year to a close, of course, there's the Princess' ever-popular panto. This year it's that firm favourite Jack and the Beanstalk. The show will be running from December 7 to January 3, with various performance times and prices. Last year more than

15,000 people enjoyed

Cinderella. This year's panto - from the same production team - stars Neil Hurst as Silly Billy.

Don't forget the regular Princess Theatre film shows too, beginning with Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (12A) from September 6-8. There are concessions available for many shows.

Tickets and more details on 01485 532252 or www.princesstheatrehunstanton.co.uk