Stars ready to rock Auditorium

TOP comedians, bands and productions are coming to Grimsby as part of the Auditorium's new season.

The Cromwell Road venue has recently announced details of its jam-packed calendar for 2008 to 2009.

Newly-appointed general manager Diane Belding said: "We have something for everyone, from comedy, opera and pantomime, to musicals, rock concerts, and family shows."

Diane, who worked at the venue as box office manager and deputy manager before securing her current role, previously worked as an administrator on Grimsby Docks.

She became involved in theatre through her father.

"I have always had a love of entertainment and music," she said.

"As a child I was always taken to the pantomime, I can remember attending pantos at Cleethorpes' Pier – but that shows my age!"

Diane claims her season highlights will be Shaolin Wheel of Life – the ultimate kung-fu performance – and family favourite, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Children's favourite, Fifi Live, the Fairy and The Flowertots – starring the voice of Jane Horrocks – will kick off the family events tomorrow and Saturday.

Here is our guide to some of the shows booked in...

Paddy McGuiness, of Phoenix Nights fame, will perform his live stand-up routine on Friday, October 3.

This will be followed by a selection of West End and Broadway favourites in Mad About The Musicals, on Saturday, October 4.

On Friday, October 10, Dennis Locorriere – the true voice of Dr Hook – will take to the stage.

Brit band the Hoosiers will wow the crowds on Saturday, October 11.

They will be followed by the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, straight from the USA, on Saturday, October 14.

Sunday, October 15 will see a reworking of Shakespeare's classic Romeo and Juliet. The musical production is aimed a children and adults alike.

Puccini's most romantic opera, La Boheme, will thrill classical music lovers on Friday, October 17.

Tribute act Letz Zep will rock the Grimsby venue on Saturday, October 18.

Rock legends will be followed by a family classic when Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat arrives in the town. Starring Tara Bethan, from BBC's I'd Do Anything, and Craig Chalmers and Antony Hansen, from Any Dream Will Do, the show will run from Monday, October 20 to Saturday, October 25.

Kung-Fun masters will promise a dazzling marital arts show when they perform on Monday, October 27.

There will be a change of pace at the venue when Maximum Rhythm 'n' Blues tour reunites The Manfreds on Tuesday, October 28.

Fresh from the summer festivals, Scouting For Girls – whose debut album rocketed to the number one spot in the UK charts – will take to the stage on Friday, November 7.

They will be followed by Joe Brown's 50th anniversary tour on Saturday, November 8, and the Circus of Horrors on Tuesday, November 11.

Irish singing duo, Foster and Allen, will perform tracks from their new album, Songs Of Love And Laughter, on Thursday, November 13.

That'll Be The Day Christmas Show will bring some early festive spirit to Grimsby on Saturday, November 15.

Classic family musical Oklahoma! will be performed by Grimsby and Cleethorpes Operatic Society from Tuesday, November 18 to Saturday, November 22.

Beyond The Barricade At Christmas, will take to stage on Sunday, November 23, with songs from the world's most famous festive films.

They will be followed by British indie-rockers the Pigeon Detectives, who arrive in the town on Monday, November 24.

All Star Wrestling's family show will bring the best ringside action to Grimsby on Friday, November 7, and also Friday, March 20 next year.

The Illegal Eagles tribute band bring their world tour to the Auditorium on Tuesday, November 25...

...Followed by the King himself when Elvis, The Legend Continues arrives on Saturday, November 29.

Family extravaganza Aladdin, staring soap stars Lee Ottway (from Hollyoaks) and Peter Amory (from Emmerdale), will show at the venue from Friday, December 5 to Wednesday, December 31.

Into 2009, a programme of talks and demonstrations will make up the Mind Body and Spirit Event which runs on Saturday, January 17 and Sunday, January 18.

Ellen Kent's production of Verdi's Aida will bring the grandness of Rome to Grimsby on Wednesday, March 4, and Bizet's ever-popular Carmen will be performed on Saturday, April 25.

Scooby-Doo And The Pirate Ghost will spook all the family from Thursday, March 12 to Sunday, March 15.

The Bootleg Beatles will bring the spirit of Liverpool's most famous exports to Grimsby on Tuesday, March 17.

Psychic Sally Morgan will follow-up last year's sold out performance on Saturday, March 21.

TV presenter and stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr will bring his unique sense of humour to Grimsby on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12.

The Extra Factor Live will appear from Monday, April 20 to Wednesday, April 22.

Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance is being staged from Tuesday, April 28 to Saturday, May 2.

Kids TV show Milkshake will take to the stage live on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, May 13.

One of the most outrageous comedians and Grimsby's own, Roy Chubby Brown, will be live on stage on Thursday, May 14.

Master magician Derren Brown will be the penultimate act of the season on Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16.

And comedian Ross Noble will wind up the calendar with his show Things on Tuesday, May 19.

Get tickets now!

Visit www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk or call 0844 847 2426.