New season: Princess Theatre

TREVOR HEATON, EDP Whats On Editor

Variety is definitely on the menu at the ever-popular Princess Theatre at Hunstanton for the new season.

With its much-loved panto (Jack and the Beanstalk) now in full swing, the new season is a reminder that 2007 - and a host of new attractions - are just round the corner.

The first stage act of the new season comes on January 28 and features a popular show making a welcome return to the venue. Rockin on Heaven's Door is an affectionate and tuneful tribute to four giants of the rock'n'roll era - Roy Orbison, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran and - but of course - Elvis Presley. Tickets £16.50.

Drama comes to the venue on February 3 with a two-handed production of one of Robert Louis Stevenson's most famous tales, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Produced by Isosceles in association with Useful Idiots, tickets are £10.50, with concs £1 off.

A founder member of the Kings of Swing, Tony Benedict, teams up with the Nelson Riddle Tribute Orchestra the following night for a musical profile of one of the most versatile performers of the 1950s and 60s.

The Bobby Darin Songbook pays tribute to a performer who reinvented himself from teenybopper idol to a finger-poppin' king of swing. Tickets £15-£9.50 (concs available).

Musical nostalgia galore in the singalong show Roll Out the Barrel, featuring Terry Bradford and Sussie Arvesen in an afternoon performance on February 6. Tickets £9.50.

One of the Princess Theatre's most regular - and popular - visitors is back once again, this time for a double-header of dates (February 10-11). The evergreen Joe Brown is one of the best-loved performers from the rock'n'roll era and audiences can expect another winning mix of great songs and banter. Tickets - which range from £16-£9.50 - will be in demand, as ever.

Six singers perform great songs from the shows in The Best Musicals Ever on February 17 (£14.50-£9.50), while Mike Hall brings his band back to the venue for their much-acclaimed Classic Clapton tribute on February 24 (£12.50-£9.50, concs available).

The following night sees one of the giants of British trad jazz - Kenny Ball - in concert with, of course, his Jazzmen. Tickets £14-£9.50, concs available.

Family fun on March 3 with two shows for The Owl and the Pussycat, is a brand new show featuring plenty of colourful characters in a captivating story for all the family (and especially for children aged three to nine) based on the famous Edward Lear poem. Tickets £7.50, with family deals available.

Princess audiences love their country music, so Superstars of Country - celebrating the greatest traditional and contemporary country music - is bound to be a popular draw on March 4 (£14.50-£9.50).

And a band which blended the feel of country with soft rock is celebrated on March 10 in Talon - The Best of the Eagles (£14-£9.50).

One of the biggest draws of the new season will be the appearance by that very popular co-winner of Channel 4's Operatunity show, Denise Leigh, in Mainly Mozart, a show dedicated to the genius of the celebrated composer on March 11. As well as songs from The Magic Flute and Cosi Fan Tutte, Denise will also perform pieces by Puccini, Bizet and Verdi. Tickets £15.50-£9.50.

The House That Nat Built (March 17) looks at the “Unforgettable” career of the great Nat King Cole in an easy-listening treat which will also includes songs such as Mona Lisa. Tickets £15-£9.50.

Irish country comes in the shape of the popular Stephen Smyth, making a welcome return with his band on March 18 (£13-£9.50), while there's more rock'n'roll nostalgia on March 24 with C'Mon Everybody (£14.50-£9.50).

The following day, Swansea Ballet Russe bring their unique production of the well-loved classic, Cinderella, when they will bring the story to life with a contemporary element added. Tickets £15.50-£9.50 (concs available).

March 31 sees the witty musical comedy of Richard Digance (£14.50-£9.50), while April 1 sees the first visit of the celebrated National Youth Jazz Orchestra in what will be a much-anticipated showcase for some of the genre's brightest young talents (£13.50-£9.50, concs available).

More family fun follows in an April 3 afternoon show for the Easter holidays. Humpty Dumpty and the Incredible Daring Rescue of the Alien Princess in Deep Space (try getting all that on the ticket) is a new take on the old favourite packed with laugh a minute gags, toe tapping songs and plenty of audience participation. It's for children aged three and over, with tickets £7.50 (family deals available).

Roger Dean presents his tribute to one of the giants of 20th-century American music on April 7 in The Johnny Cash Story. Tickets £12.50-£9.50, concs £1 off.

Maureen Nolan (yes, from The Nolans) joins forces with Mike and Rachel Holoway on April 14 for nostalgia show Stardust (£14.50-£9.50).

Hits from the blitz feature in the April 15 afternoon show We'll Meet Again (£10, concs £9), while Bruce James Productions return with another eagerly-anticipated drama production from April 25-27. This time they will be performing comedy Private Lives by Noel Coward, featuring a cast of five in a witty and seductive take on love second time around. It contains, of course, many of Coward's most quotable lines. Tickets £14.50 and £12.50, concs £1 off.

Magic present a double-helping of tributes on April 28 by featuring both Electric Light Orchestra and Queen. Tickets £14-£9.50.

And the season is rounded off with another musical treat - the return of Princess favourite Ann Breen on April 29 (£13.50-£9.50).

In addition the theatre will also be showing its regular programme of films, with A Good Year (January 18-20) and The History Boys (January 25-27) already confirmed.

More details in the new brochure from the box office, 01485 532252; www.princesstheatrehunstanton.co.uk