Comics Sarah Millican, Bill Bailey and Russell Brand, folk queen Kate Rusby and opera star Lesley Garrett are among the stars treading the boards at Bradford Theatres this autumn.

The Alhambra’s new season includes Cabaret, direct from the West End, starring Will Young, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert starring Jason Donovan. Matthew Kelly stars in To Sir with Love, adapted by Ayub Khan Din, who wrote the hit film East Is East.

Lynda Bellingham and Christopher Timothy play a troubled couple in Kay Mellor’s A Passionate Woman, New Jersey Nights celebrates the music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Slava’s Snowshow blends clowning and magical spectacular effects.

There’s risque fun in the Rocky Horror Show and Puppetry of the Penis, which we warn is not suitable for children.

For dance fans, the Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new production showcasing its daring, athletic movement style, Northern Ballet brings its acclaimed A Christmas Carol back to town, and Moscow Ballet La Classique performs Nutcracker.

Over at St George’s Hall comic Russell Brand unveils new show The Messiah Complex and Bill Bailey performs Qualmpeddler, featuring his trademark musical mash-ups, multi-lingual riffs, philosophising and silliness. There are more laughs from Jason Manford, Stewart Lee, Sarah Millican, Sandi Toksvig, Fascinating Aida and tickle stick veteran Ken Dodd. Other shows include the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Radio Show Live and Ready Steady Cook, hosted by Russell Grant with TV chef Lesley Walters.

There’s music from Kate Rusby, Steeleye Span, Sad Café, The Manfreds, Joe Longthorne and Showaddywaddy, celebrating their 40th anniversary.

Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton joins ITV’s Superstar runner-up Rory Taylor in a concert production of Rent, and 51 Shades of Maggie sends up racy bestseller 50 Shades of Grey – not suitable for under-16s.

St George’s Hall’s resident orchestra the Halle opens the 2013/14 orchestral season, with guest soloist Lesley Garrett, and there are also concerts from the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra of Moscow Radio and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra.

For young theatre-goers, shows include What the Ladybird Heard, based on the award-winning picture book about two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard of fun.

Over at King’s Hall in Ilkley, Gyles Brandreth, raconteur, Radio 4 Just a Minute regular and One Show reporter, delivers his show Looking for Happiness, and In the Box with the stars of BBC Radio’s Test Match Special, hosted by Ralph Dellor, brings together cricket commentators and legends including former England captain, Mike Gatting and BBC Cricket Correspondent Jonathan Agnew to recall anecdotes from life in The Box.

The season ends with Alhambra panto Aladdin, starring stalwart Billy Pearce and pop personality Chico.

Adam Renton, General Manager of Bradford Theatres said: “We celebrate the 160th anniversary of St George’s Hall in August closely followed by the 148th orchestral season which opens in September.

“We’re sure there’s something for everyone at Bradford Theatres this season and we look forward to welcoming you to one of our venues very soon.”