Norwich Theatre Royal has added a host of hit musicals to it programme for the first half of 2009.

Norwich Theatre Royal has added a host of hit musicals to it programme for the first half of 2009.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Evita will return the city, while Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a stage adaptation of popular TV comedy Dinnerladies are also lined up.

They are added to shows that were already confirmed, including Swan Lake, West Side Story, Flashdance, All the Fun of the Fair (with David Essex) and Scooby-Doo and the Pirate Ghost.

Other new shows include a stage version of hit movie Calendar Girls, starring Lynda Bellingham, Patricia Hodge, Sian Phillips and Brigit Forsyth.

John Savident - who won rave reviews for his role in the classic Hobson's Choice earlier this year - returns to Norwich to play Sir Joseph Porter KCB in Carl Rosa Opera's version of HMS Pinafore.

There is also Jolson the Musical, which tells the story of the unforgettable Hollywood entertainer, children's favourites The Tweenies performing tot-tastic tunes in Top Of The Tots, while actor Stephen Tompkinson is reunited with writer Tim Firth in the touching comedy Sign Of The Times.

An ice rink will return to the theatre's stage in June when Cirque de Glace is put on, with other highlights including the return of Northern Ballet with Romeo and Juliet, High School Musical, Jethro, Ross Noble, Billie Jo Spears and other Ladies Of Country, The Hollies, folk singer Kate Rusby, The Solid Silver Sixties Show, the return of illusionist Derren Brown and popular medium Derek Acorah.

t To view the full programme and to book online, visit www.edp24.co.uk/dailylinks. For phone bookings, call 01603 630000.