Thriller and spills in Birmingham Hippodrome's new line up

The new season of shows at the Birmingham Hippodrome has been announced.

Former Wet Wet Wet star Marti Pellow, Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallet and Nikki Sanderson from Coronation Street are among the celebrities due to appear.

Strictly Come Dancing's Craig Reval Horwood's new production of the West End and Broadway musical Chess also hits the stage from February 8 to 12 featuring a cast of West End stars including James Fox from Fame Academy, and Shona White who starred in Wicked.

The stage show based on the hit 80s movie Footloose will take place between March 14 and 19, with hits such as Holding Out for A Hero, Lets Hear It For The Boy.

And The Original Tribute to the Blues Brothers runs from March 21 to 26.

The all new smash hit musical features Jake and Elwood, and one of Europe's finest seven piece bands, who will be playing favourite songs including Everybody, Shake A Tail Feather, Gimme Some Lovin' and many more.

Marti Pellow stars in the smash hit Broadway musical Jekyll and Hyde from April 4 to 9 and Nikki Sanderson, Roxanne Pallet and Brookside's Sue Jenkins, best known for her role as Jackie Corkhill, will all appear in The Vagina Monologues. Birmingham Royal Ballet is also performing a world premiere of their new production of Cinderella this Christmas.

Stuart Griffiths, chief executive of Birmingham Hippodrome, said: "We have been describing 2010 as Birmingham's year of dance and this Autumn the year reaches a conclusion in the best way possible, with David Bintley's brand new production of Cinderella.

"We have a very busy season both before and after Cinderella, with plenty of other world-class productions. In dance, this ranges from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre with their classic Revelations as part of a stunning programme, to Blaze, a brand new street dance spectacular fresh from the West End."

The Michael Jackson tribute Thriller is due on stage on April 18 and 30, John Cleese's Alimony Tour is on May 10 and 11.

For a full list of shows call 0844 338 5000 or go to the website www.birminghamhippodrome.com.