SMASH hit shows, including My Fair Lady and Singin' in the Rain, Strictly stars and some of the biggest names in music and comedy are on the line-up for Bradford Theatres' glittering new season.

* THE ALHAMBRA:

The highlight of the new season is Disney’s much-loved hit The Lion King; the powerful story of Simba and his epic journey from wide-eyed cub to his destined role as King of the Pridelands. The show opens on Thursday, March 24 for a two-month Alhambra run.

There's another treat in store with My Fair Lady, a sumptuous production with a cast of over 30 and a full orchestra - it's the first

major revival of Lerner and Loewe’s popular musical on tour for over 15 years and a "loverly" way to celebrate the theatre scene back in bloom!

Singing' In the Rain is back to make a splash, while making its Alhambra debut is musical comedy Waitress - celebrating friendship, motherhood and the magic of a well-baked pie - starring Casualty and Emmerdale actress Chelsea Halfpenny.

Bat Out of Hell brings to life the anthems of Jim Steinman and the late Meat Loaf; telling a rock 'n' roll love story through the mighty hits, and Eighties classic Footloose is back, starring Jake Quickenden as loveable cowboy Willard and Darren Day as Reverend Moore. Cutting-edge choreography is set to hits including Holding Out For A Hero, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and that title track, Footloose.

The music of the Fifties is celebrated in Dreamboats & Petticoats Bringing On Back the Good Times, a feelgood show inspired by the multi-million selling Dreamboats & Petticoats albums. And for younger audiences, David Walliams' Billionaire Boy is brought to the stage by the West End producers of Gangsta Granny and Awful Auntie.

* ST GEORGE’S HALL:

Burn the Floor The Reunion brings together some of the most celebrated alumni of the Burn The Floor dance phenomenon, including Strictly Come Dancing pros Aljaz Skorjanec, Janette Manrara, Kevin Clifton, Karen Hauer and Dianne Buswell.

As if that wasn't enough for Strictly fans, also coming to St George's Hall is Here Come The Boys - join Graziano, Nadiya, Pasha, Karim and Nikita in a dance extravaganza to a soundtrack of dance-floor anthems, club classics and guilty pleasures.

There's more for dance fans in English Youth Ballet's Coppelia.

We've had Friends the Reunion - now there's Friends the Musical Friendsical is billed as a "parody musical inspired" by the hit US sitcom. See Ross, Rachel, Chandler and the rest of the gang as you've never seen them before...

Drag royalty will sashay across the stage for The Series Three Tour of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

And tickling our funny bones this spring are Claudia Winkleman, with her one-woman Behind the Fringe show; Rob Brydon's A Night of Songs & Laughter; Jack Dee: Off the Telly; Stewart Lee's Snowflake/Tornado show; Ed Byrne: If I'm Honest; Sandi Toksvig Live! Next Slide Please; Paul Chowdhry: Family Friendly Comedian; and Henning Wehn: It’ll All Come Out in the Wash.

There's music from The Hallé, part of the 153rd Orchestral Music Season; Europhoria - A Celebration of Eurovision; The Take That Experience and the James Bond Concert Spectacular. A Brass Band Spectacular features the world-famous Brighouse and Rastrick Band alongside local favourites, City of Bradford Band

* KING’S HALL:

The line-up at Ilkley venue King's Hall includes Sheffield's finest, Tony Christie with his Avenue & Alleyways tour; The Opera Boys - A Night at The Musicals; The Matt Monro Story; and the Greatest Hits of Foster and Allen featuring Tony Allen and special guests.

There's Britpop nostalgia An Evening with Simon and Oscar from Ocean Colour Scene, and celebrating the music of Les Miserables and other shows is The Barricade Boys' Bring Him Home tour.

There's quirky comedy from John Shuttleworth and stories of a glittering career on stage and screen at An Evening with Dame Sheila Hancock.

* THE STUDIO:

Over at The Studio there's comedy from blind stand-up comedian, actor and blogger Chris McCausland, with his new show Speaky Blinder; Juliette Burton's No Brainer; Jonny Pelham's Off Limits and Patrick Monahan's smart observations on a new found, middle-class lifestyle, with ski holidays, through the prism of his poor, immigrant, living-in-a-caravan roots.

Adam Renton, General Manager Bradford Theatres said “It’s been wonderful to see so many of our audiences visiting us over the last few months - we’re very grateful for your support.

"We’re delighted to be back stronger and more entertaining than ever, and looking ahead to our summer season.

"There really is something for everybody to enjoy over the summer months - from feel-good musicals to entertaining classics, top comedy, exceptional drag, intimate evening talks and excellent shows made for our younger audiences.

There’s still time to grab a ticket for Disney’s The Lion King. It will have been eight years since the global phenomenon last appeared at the Alhambra Theatre and I'm thrilled that it is with us until the end of May as part of its nine-week residency in Bradford.”

* Tickets for all shows are on (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk