ANNIE UK Tour & More Coming to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

A brand new season of West End musicals, gripping dramas, dynamic dance and one night concerts with LESLEY JOSEPH, DERREN BROWN, RUSSELL WATSON, JOE McELDERRY, BRENDAN COLE, PASHA KOVALEV, DES O'CONNOR, JODIE PRENGER, JIM DAVIDSON and BILLY OCEAN.

See below for a full line up from the newly announced season.

JANUARY 2016

"Kicking off" the new season, Jim Davidson OBE takes to the road with his new show JIM DAVIDSON - CHARLTON NIL, an irrelevant, outrageous, truthful night in Wolverhampton on Monday 18 January.

THE SENSATIONAL 60s EXPERIENCE will take you back with original classics performed by five of the most influential artistes of the 60s including Chris Farlowe, Steve Ellis, The Fortunes, New Amen Corner and Union Gap UK, hosted by Alan Mosca from Freddie & The Dreamers on Saturday 30 January.

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Grand Theatre with the CHINESE NEW YEAR EXTRAVAGANZA on Sunday 31 January at 2:30pm with an array of Chinese acrobatics and Kung Fu, while at 7:30pm on Sunday 31 January, a new live show from Stewart Lee, STEWART LEE - A ROOM WITH A STEW promises fresh material in preparation for his new BBC2 series of Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle.

SPRING 2016

New shows for spring include THE BILLY FURY YEARS that takes you on an unforgettable journey through the musical career, hailed as 'the definitive Billy Fury stage show' on Sunday 21 February.

February sees the return of the acclaimed hip hop dance company ZooNation, who premiere their brand new production INTO THE HOODS: REMIXED at the Grand Theatre from Thurs 25 - Sat 27 February before embarking on a UK tour.

From Wed 2 - Sat 5 March, HORRIBLE HISTORIES present the GROOVY GREEKS and INCREDIBLE INVADERS with the Romans, Saxons and Vikings.

Touring Consortium Theatre Company brings the Birmingham Repertory Theatre co-production of OF MICE AND MEN from Tue 8 - Sat 12 March. The classic story sees Lennie and George arrive on a farm in California. Chasing the American Dream they're bound together by friendship, facing an earth-shattering climax.

Wolverhampton Musical Comedy Company presents FAME - THE MUSICAL, about vibrant young people starting out at the New York High School of Performing Arts. With all the iconic songs and leg-warmers galore from Tue 15 - Sat 19 March.

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia present for the first time in Wolverhampton, THE SNOW MAIDEN on Sunday 20 March. Protected from the outside world by Father Frost, the exquisite Snow Maiden plays innocently among the dancing snowflakes in the enchanted Land of Frost.

The ballet company then presents the favourite fairy tale, SLEEPING BEAUTY on Monday 21 March and the greatest romantic ballet of all time, SWAN LAKE on Tuesday 22 March.

SATINDER SARTAAJ LIVE see's India's outstanding poet and singer perform live in England having wowed audiences of over 50,000 in India. His amazing talent will grace the Wolverhampton stage and host an intimate Mehfil at the Grand Theatre on Thursday 24 March.

THE CIRCUS OF HORRORS stormed into the finals of Britain's Got Talent and now the West End smash is coming to Wolverhampton on Saturday 26 March. The latest incarnation, WELCOME TO THE CARNEVIL, is set in Victorian London in 1899, the age of the Freakshow.

HELLO KITTY LIVE, set in modern-day London, comes to Wolverhampton on Tuesday 29 March. Hello Kitty is a young girl who is full of dreams and ambition for her future. It's a story of talent, friendship and a passion for creativity combined with a live a sparkling soundtrack including songs from Charli XCX, Bruno Mars and Echosmith.

A GRAND OPERETTA GALA is a chance to hear the Full Orchestra perform the Overtures to The Arcadians, Die Fledermaus and The Pirates of Penzance in a charming concert that will re create the wonderful romantic music of yesteryear on Wednesday 30 March.

On Thursday 31 March, IRELAND'S CALL follows the extraordinary journey of the strong-headed Sean Dempsey, who, at the end of WW2, leaves behind his childhood sweetheart, Cora, and his beloved homeland, Ireland, in search of a better life in the Big Apple.

BLACK COUNTRY NIGHT OUT features Jonny Cole, Dandy, The Fizzogs and The Ronaldos! Making a long-awaited return to the Grand with a whole host of new and talented acts on Friday 1 April.

SUPREME QUEEN have been paying homage to the world's most theatrical and dramatic Rock band since 1995. Front man, Scott Maley plays an uncannily realistic 'Freddie' with the look, stage persona and, most importantly of all, an incredibly powerful voice on Saturday 2 April.

Nikolai Foster's brand new production of ANNIE starring Birds of a Feather's Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan runs from Mon 4 - Sat 9 April. Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan's orphanage. Including the songs Tomorrow and Hard Knock Life.

In his seventh live show since 2003, DERREN BROWN: MIRACLE sees the multi-award winning acknowledged master of psychological illusion returns to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Mon 11 - Sat 16 April. Derren delivers an evening of mind-altering genius as extraordinary events unfold before you, live on stage. Guaranteed to entertain and baffle your brain, witness the wonderment of one of the world's most renowned live performers; a dark manipulator of magic and mind control, a miracle man of our modern times.

Pasha Kovalev, Strictly Come Dancing's 2014 winning professional makes his Grand Theatre debut with his own show, PASHA - IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU on Sunday 17 April. He is joined by his spectacular dancers for an evening of dance, chat, fun and stunning costumes.

Discover the story of Judy Garland as she makes her explosive London come back at the height of the swinging sixties in the funny and emotionally charged play END OF THE RAINBOW from Mon 18 - Wed 20 April.

ABBA MANIA is now accepted as the world's number one touring ABBA production. A special concert presentation, which celebrates the music of ABBA for one night only on Thursday 21 April.

AND FINALLY... PHIL COLLINS are now in their eighth year together as an eleven piece band who faithfully re-create all the classic hits from the Phil Collins and Genesis timeless back catalogue on Friday 22 April.

AN EVENING WITH DES O'CONNOR celebrates the much loved show-business legend in a brand new show looking back on his stage and screen career. Des entertains as only he can, whilst bringing to life stories of legendary personalities with whom he has shared the stage, through a fascinating show-reel of clips featuring entertainment greats on Saturday 23 April.

THE SOLID SILVER 60s SHOW has entertained the nation and celebrated history's most successful decade of music for 30 years. The show returns due to popular demand on Sunday 24 April.

DIAL M FOR MURDER, the classic crime thriller, hits the Grand Theatre stage from Tue 26 - Sat 30 April, presented by talkingScarlet the team behind last year's spine-chilling drama The Ghost Train. Star cast to be announced.

With a dazzling array of outrageous Olivier and Tony award-winning costumes, PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT - THE MUSICAL features dance floor favourites including I Will Survive, Hot Stuff, Finally, Boogie Wonderland, Go West, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, and I Love The Nightlife. The feel-good international hit sensation returns to Wolverhampton from Mon 2 - Sat 7 May. Based on the smash-hit movie, it's the heart-warming, uplifting adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and end up finding more than they could have ever dreamed of. Casting is to be announced.

English Touring Opera present GLUCK: IPHIGENIE EN TAURIDE on Monday 9 May as Vampire-like villains and human sacrifice form a bloodthirsty backdrop to what is one of the most refined and perfect of operas. They present MOZART: DON GIOVANNI on Tuesday 10 May.

A CELEBRATION OF JOHN DENVER will take you on a magical journey through the musical career of John Denver, featuring popular hits such as Annie's Song, Leaving on a Jet Plane, Rocky Mountain High and of course Take Me Home Country Roads on Wednesday 11 May.

MONEY FOR NOTHING is Europe's premier tribute to Dire Straits - they have performed all over the world and hit the Grand Theatre stage on Thursday 12 May.

BILLY OCEAN is the biggest black recording star Britain has ever produced, one who has sold over 30 million records in his lifetime. Now Wolverhampton can celebrate, with Billy, the 30th anniversary of the release of the Suddenly Album which included the No 1 Hits in the US Caribbean Queen and title track Suddenly on Friday 13 May.

Never before seen at the Grand Theatre, PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS has now played to most of the Western World, having been hosted in over 35 countries and performed in 6 languages. Two near naked men (they wear shoes) manipulate their nether regions using the Ancient Art of Genital Origami, providing the audience with a hilarious array of shapes and impersonations which will be projected onto a huge video screen for one night only on Sat 14 May.

Winner of The X Factor, Joe McElderry will don the famous coat of many colours, playing the title role in JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT from Tue 17 - Sat 21 May. With music and lyrics by Andrew Lloyd Webber, this is the biblical story about Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colours, the show includes songs such as "Jacob and Sons", "Close Every Door" and "Any Dream Will Do".

West Bromwich Operatic Society presents MADE IN DAGENHAM - THE MUSICAL. Inspired by a true story and based on the hit movie, this is the uplifting new British musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right from Tue 24 - Sat 28 May.

SUMMER 2016

The timeless tale of PINNOCCHIO is brought vividly to life in a brand new show from StarDam Productions, with sing a long songs and plenty of participation on Wed 1 June.

Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black's TELL ME ON A SUNDAY for night only on Thurs 2 June. Charting the romantic misadventures of an English girl in New York during the heady days of the 1980's, this iconic musical features a wonderful original score including the chart-topping Take That Look off Your Face.

SOUL LEGENDS comes direct from the USA on Fri 3 June and features the music of Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, Barry White, Earth Wind & Fire, Sam & Dave and scores more.

Due to popular demand following a successful appearance in 2015, RUSSELL WATSON... SONGS FROM THE HEART will see the people's favourite tenor return to the Grand Theatre on Saturday 4 June.

Once again, the HILARITY CHARITY GALA in aid of Central Youth Theatre will provide a top evening of comedy on Monday 6 June. Previous line ups have included Greg Davies, Jon Richardson, Russell Howard and Rob Beckett.

THE JOHNNY CASH ROADSHOW, endorsed by the Cash family featuring respected singer/songwriter Clive John on Tuesday 7 June, supported with emotive screen visuals.

Returning for a second year, acclaimed Northern Ballet, a company renowned for transforming well known stories into brilliant dance theatre, present Charlotte Brontë's JANE EYRE on Fri 10 & Sat 11 June. Northern Ballet also presents TORTOISE & THE HARE at Saturday 11 June.

Based on real life events back in the roaring 1920s, the 2016 UK tour of CHICAGO is the story of nightclub singer Roxie Hart who shoots her lover and along with Cell Block rival, double-murderess Velma Kelly, they fight to keep from death row with the help of smooth talking lawyer, Billy Flynn. With an exciting cast to be announced from Mon 20 - Sat 25 June.

Be among the first to see SWAP!, the hilarious new comedy directed by star of Return of the Saint, Ian Ogilvy. Produced by talkingScarlet, this premiere play sees Brian Flowers and his wife Susan arrive at their house swapping summer vacation in Spain, only to discover they've unknowingly traded houses with a British gangster. From Tue 28 - Sat 2 July. Star cast to be announced

Direct from the Savoy Theatre in the West End, GUYS AND DOLLS is hailed as 'the greatest golden-age musical of them all' (The Times) and heads to Wolverhampton from Tue 19 - Sat 23 July. Including the songs, Luck be a Lady, Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat and

My Time of Day. With dazzling choreography by world-renowned Cuban ballet star Carlos

Acosta and Andrew Wright, choreographer of the 2015 Barnum tour.

AUTUMN 2016

Following their production of White Christmas in December 2015, South Staffs Musical Theatre Company will return in 2016 to present the smash-hit comedy musical, 9 TO 5 from Tue 11 - Sat 15 October.

To book visit the box office, call 01902 42 92 12 or visit grandtheatre.co.uk. All new shows will be on sale to Friends Of The Grand for priority booking from 11am Monday 5 October and general bookings from 11am Friday 9 October.

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