And anyone booking for newly announced shows before January 1 can benefit from five per cent off the advertised ticket price.

The theatre’s new year brochure was being mailed out today and contains a programme which general manager Neil Thomson says is: “Quite bold in the current economic climate.”

Although the Grand will be dark for most of the traditionally quiet trading period of January, a full line-up of events was planned after that, he said.

The programme includes a trio of brand new touring musicals – Thriller Live, which comes live direct from the West End and celebrates the multi million selling music of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5; the ultimate British rock ‘n’ roll show Dreamboats and Petticoats produced by Bill Kenwright, and an exciting new stage production of the legendary Singin’ In the Rain starring West End and Broadway star Tim Flavin.

For drama lovers there’s a welcome return for the classic thriller An Inspector Calls directed by Stephen Daldry (of The Hours and Billy Elliott fame); cheeky family fun with Basil Brush’s High Skool Mania with Blackpool’s own balloon man Bob Wooding in the company; Agatha Christie’s acclaimed suspense Spider’s Web with an all-star cast; the comically gruesome Horrible Histories this time taking on the First and Second World Wars; and a gripping crime tale Murder With Love starring Leslie Grantham (EastEnders’ Dirty Den)

There is also a saucy new production of Die Fledermaus from Opera della Luna and a family show direct from Las Vegas – Variety Live at the Grand starring You Tube juggling sensation Wally Eastwood; and a sensational new production of Roald Dahl’s ever popular The BFG.

May brings a return of the dark musical Cabaret starring Wayne Sleep and I’d Do Anything finalist Samantha Barks and the first visit of the stage version of Victoria Wood’s delightful comedy Dinnerladies with original cast members Andrew Dunn as Tony and Shobna Gulati as Anita.

Willy Russell’s legendary musical Blood Brothers will again be breaking hearts and hopefully box office records in June with a yet to be confirmed star cast.

Other attractions in a return visit of Circus of Horrors; a burlesque special as part of the Showzam! programme in February; the annual Schools’ Alive presentations; medium and clairvoyant Gordon Smith; a Festival of Gilbert & Sullivan starring former members of the D’Oyly Carte company and a 30 piece orchestra and a Sold Silver 60s line-up including The Searchers, The Merseybeats, John Walker and The Dakotas.

Looking further ahead to the summer, the smash hit musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be back from august 4 to 23.

“As with previous seasons at The Grand we are continuing to give patrons value for money and in most cases offer ticket prices that are extremely competitive compared with city-based theatres,” said Neil Thomson.