Some of the biggest names from the stage and world of entertainment are on their way to the seaside.

Legendary blues guitarist BB King, top opera singer Lesley Garrett, former EastEnders actress Letitia Dean and ageless charmer Paul Nicholas are all to put in an appearance in the coming season at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.

They join dozens of other top performers highlighted in the theatre's new winter programme, featuring music, theatre, opera, comedy, musicals and dance.

B B King calls in during his world tour on April 21, giving blues fans a rare opportunity to see and hear one of the truly great blues guitarists live.

Lesley Garrett's performance with the BBC Symphony Orchestra on January 17 is a sell-out - fans are advised to ring on the day for any returns.

Hello Girl and former EastEnders' lead Letitia Dean presents Joe Orton's outrageous comedy Loot, co-starring Michael El-phick, for one week from April 5, and Paul Nicholas is the Pirate King in the major West End production of Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance, from March 22 to 27.

For children Postman Pat drives up in his jolly red van on January 28 for four nights, while comics Allan Davies, the gang from Asian hit Goodness Gracious Me and Australia's hilariously camp Bob Downe entertain in their own way.

Puccini's Tosca, performed in Italian with English subtitles by the Mussorgsky Theatre of St Petersburg bring back some culture on February 3 and 4, and the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre with their production of The Nutcracker and Swan Lake keep it in the same vein from March 29 to April 3.

Ben Elton's Popcorn ex-plodes on to the stage from February 8 for a week, as part of a major national tour for this critically-acclaimed comedy-fantasy thriller, with sun, sea and, yes, sex, in Girls' Night Out in Ibiza following on from February 15.

Music lovers have plenty in store, including a '70s revival featuring glitz and hits with Alvin Stardust, Suzi Quatro and the Rubettes on February 21, that sexy thing Errol Brown on April 20 and Electric Dreams, the '80s musical, from April 26 to May 1.

For a brochure detailing all the season's shows ring the Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Southend on 01702 351135.

Hot dates - Cliffs Pavilion gig for BBKing; Letitia Dean, in the Joe Orton play Loot; Paul Nicholas, as the Pirate King in Pirates of Penzance, and Lesley Garrett, in concert with the BBC Symphony Orchestra

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