Introducing... the new season at the Grand Opera House, York.

CINDERELLA has left town, and the Grand Opera House is preparing for a very busy 2005. The forecast is for 306 shows this year; 183 of them - 60 per cent - are confirmed, the rest are penciled in the diary. Last year, the Cumberland Street theatre played host to 271 shows and welcomed 132,000 admissions. Theatre critic Charles Hutchinson reveals what lies in store.

York audiences love their musicals, don't they?

Quite so. The year ahead promises old favourites and newcomers. Fame The Musical turns up again from March 7 to 12; new show Lonnie D, The Musical pays tribute to King of Skiffle, Lonnie Donegan, on March 19; and Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King And I visits York from March 29 to April 2.

Erstwhile pop pin-ups Jon Lee, from S Club, and Hear'Say's Noel Sullivan star in Love Shack, the story of one hen night, one stag night, one helluva party and 20 of "your all-time favourite songs", from May 2 to 7.

Newly added is the Birmingham Stage Company's new production of The Jungle Book, starring John Cockerill as Mowgli and Tony Jayawardena as Baloo from July 19 to 23.

Serious dramas, proper plays, are much more prominent this season. Good news, surely?

Not before time, especially if it means fewer of those old-hat tribute shows. Hull Truck kick off the year from January 24 to 29 with John Godber's latest Brits Abroad comedy, Going Dutch, a story of booze, drugs, sea crossings and crossed paths.

From February 8 to 12, Con O'Neill, Linda Robson and Adam Rickitt star in Michael Bogdanov's production of Telstar, Nick Moran's story of the brief, explosive, bizarre life of revolutionary record producer Joe Meek.

West End hit The Play What I Wrote, a celebration of cherished comedy double act Morecambe and Wise, features a mystery guest star each show from February 21 to 26; Splat Entertainment takes to the water in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind In The Willows from March 1 to 5; and another London success, a revival of R C Sheriff's trench tale Journey's End, stars Philip Franks from April 4 to 9. Please do not miss this timely, topical play, directed by David Grindley, who is to direct Kevin Spacey in National Anthems at Old Vic this spring.

West End favourite Stones In His Pockets, Marie Jones's comic collision between an Irish village and a Hollywood film crew, returns to York on April 29, and Art, Yasmina Reza's study of men, art, ego and friendship, features Russell Boulter, Michael Garner and Simon Shepherd from May 24 to 28.

All manner of comedy is in store.

For the smart oneliners, Punt & Dennis in Grown Men. In Public, January 17, Jack Dee, April 10, and Rob Brydon in The Keith Barret Show - Live, June 27; for daft clowning, horse riding and swimming tips, Harry Hill, March 18; for political chat, An Audience With Sir David Frost, January 31, and An Audience with John Sergeant, March 17; for sauce, Roy 'Chubby' Brown, in The Helmet's Giving It Large, May 23; and for ever and ever, Ken Dodd, May 29.

Other highlights at a glance?

Time Team host Tony Robinson's Cunning Night Out, February 3; the Chuckle Brothers in Pirates Of The River Rother, February 13; Scottish singer Eddi Reader, April 22; Aussie children's show Hi-5 in Space Magic, April 23; and mind controller Derren Brown, May 14.

Tickets?

Ring 0870 606 3590.

Updated: 16:06 Thursday, January 06, 2005