HIT musicals Hairspray and Chicago, comics John Bishop and Katherine Ryan, singer Nick Cave and football legend Geoff Hurst are among the stars shining in Bradford’s new theatre season.

As the Alhambra prepares to re-open, following an 18-month closure due to the pandemic, the T&A exclusively reveals the line-up for Bradford Theatres venues this autumn.

At the Alhambra: Loose Women panellist Brenda Edwards is Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray, while Louise Redknapp stars in Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5 The Musical. Coronation Street actress Faye Brooks, 80s pop princess Sinitta and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo head the cast of sassy show Chicago, and Lyn Paul returns as Mrs Johnstone for her farewell tour in Blood Brothers. Tissues required. Get ready to do the Time Warp when the Rocky Horror Show arrives, have the time of your life in Dirty Dancing and ‘stick it to the man’ in School of Rock, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s West End and Broadway hit.

For younger theatre-goers there’s Gangsta Granny, based on David Walliams’ best-seller, by the producers of Horrible Histories.

The Royal Shakespeare Company brings Comedy of Errors, and master of mind control Derren Brown presents Showman, which he’s keeping a closely guarded secret.

The Alhambra season ends with Sleeping Beauty - Billy Pearce bringing panto back to Bradford, joined by TV’s Dr Ranj.

Over at St George’s Hall there are laughs from John Bishop bringing both his arena warm-up and Right Here Right Now shows, Al Murray, Chris Ramsey, Jason Manford, Katherine Ryan, Sarah Millican and doctor-turned-comic Adam Kay.

There’s music for all tastes, from Tony Christie to Bradford’s own Bad Boy Chiller Crew. Nick Cave joins Bad Seeds member Warren Ellis, superstar DJ Judge Jules presents a mash-up of dance classics with a 10-piece band. and there are festive concerts from folk queen Kate Rusby, prog rock king Rick Wakeman and brass royalty Brighouse & Rastrick Band. The National Youth Jazz Orchestra celebrates Amy Winehouse’s legacy., John Lydon reflects in I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right and Sir Ranulph Fiennes talks about Living Dangerously.

At King’s Hall, Ilkley, the line-up includes Sir Michael Parkinson and Tommy Cannon, joined by pal Johnnie Casson.

Bradford Theatres general manager Adam Renton said: “It always gives me great pleasure to introduce our new season, but on this occasion it’s more gratifying than ever. After such a long time, we are delighted to come back stronger than ever.”