Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre announces new season of shows - featuring Benidorm Live, Motown The Musical, Dirty Dancing and more

Benidorm Live, Motown The Musical, Saturday Night Fever and Fame are just a few of the hit shows lined up for the Station Street venue this year.

Other productions that feature in the new season include:

Kay Mellor's Fat Friends

April 3 to 7

Hit TV show Fat Friends has made its way onto the stage.

Andrew 'Freddie' Flintoff will make his stage debut in the production alongside the likes of Jodie Prenger, Sam Bailey and Kevin Kennedy.

The musical follows the characters from the hit TV show as they are put through their Zumba paces at their local branch of Super Slimmers, while Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.

The Last Ship

April 16 to 21

Sting's political musical The Last Ship has its UK premiere this year.

Featuring an original score with music and lyrics by Sting himself, the show stars Richard Fleeshman, Charlie Hardwick and Joe McGann

The show tells the story of Gideon Fletcher who returns home from sea to discover the demise of the ship-building world in Newcastle.

Verdi's La Traviata and Madama Butterfly

April 25 and 26

Two of Verdi's top works are coming to Birmingham next month.

La Traviata is an interpretation La Dame auz Camelias, one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century.

Madama Butterfly is the story of a young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant.

Shane Filan

May 5

Irish singer and songwriter Shane Filan is set to embark on his Love Always tour this year.

The pop star is best known for his time with boy band Westlife.

After the group disbanded, Shane released his debut solo album, You and Me, in 2013.

Joe Lycett

May 10 and 11

Birmingham comedian Joe Lycett is returning to his home-town with a brand new show.

The star has appeared on a number of TV shows such as Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats and more.

Legally Blonde The Musical

May 21 to 26

Hit 2001 film Legally Blonde has been adapted into a musical.

Starring Eastenders star Rita Simons and Eurovision hopeful Lucie Jones, the story follows Elle Woods who bags herself a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School.

Summer Holiday The Musical

June 12 to 16

Based on the iconic Cliff Richard film, Summer Holiday The Musical is coming to Birmingham.

The show stars Brookside's Ray Quinn, and features an array of well-known songs such as In The Country, Summer Holiday, Living Doll and Do You Wanna Dance?

Birdsong

June 18 to 23

Birdsong is set to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The show, based on Sebastian Faulks' best-selling novel, follows stories of love set before and after the war.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

June 26 to 30

BMOS are bringing a brand new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Birmingham.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the hit movie.

The film follows the story of truanting students Jermey and Jemima. The pair meet the beautiful Truly Scrumptious, who falls for their widowed father, Caractacus Potts, and his various inventions.

Madagascar: A Musical Adventure

July 31 to August 4

Family-favourite film Madagascar will delight fans in Birmingham in this musical stage show.

The show follows Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and more as they escape from New York’s Central park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey within a madcap world.

Boogie Nights

August 22 to 25

New Alexandra Theatre Stage Experience are bringing Boogie Night to Birmingham.

Following the heart-warming story of Roddy O’Neil, and his experiences of growing up in the disco decade, the show is packed with hits such as You Sexy Thing, Y.M.C.A, I will Survive and In The Navy.

Saturday Night Fever

September 25 to 29

A brand new stage version of Saturday Night Fever is coming to the area later this year.

The show pays homage to the 1997 John Travolta classic film, and includes some of pop icons The Bee Gees' greatest hits, such as Here I Go Again, The Final Countdown and Can’t Fight This Feeling.

Saturday Night Fever follows the story of Tony Manero, and his training ahead of a big local dance competition.

Motown The Musical

October 11 to November 3

Described as ‘one Big Soul Extravaganza’ Motown The Musical is heading to Birmingham this autumn.

The show tells the story of Berry Gordy, who founded Motown Records and launched the careers of legendary artists including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations and many more.

The show features more than 50 classic hits including My Girl, Dancing In The Street, What’s Going On and I Heard It Through The Grapevine.

Dirty Dancing

November 5 to 10

Quoted as being ‘the biggest theatre sensation of all time’, Dirty Dancing is returning to Birmingham.

The worldwide smash hit tells the story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together against the odds to perform the last big dance of the summer.

The show features 35 hit songs, including Hungry Eyes, Hey Baby, Do You Love Me? and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.

Ross Noble

November 11

Quirky comedian Ross Noble is heading out on his new tour El Hablador.

Ross has appeared a number of TV shows such as Have I Got News for You, QI, and Mock The Week.

In 2007 he was voted the 10th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups, and again in the updated 2010 list as the 11th greatest stand-up comic.

Rock of Ages

November 13 to 17

Global smash hit musical Rock of Ages returns to Birmingham later this year.

The show features more than 20 classic rock anthems, such as We Built This City, The Final Countdown, Here I Go Again, Can’t Fight this Feeling and I Want To Know What Love Is.

Fame

November 19 to 24

Based on the 1980 film of the same name, Fame is coming to Birmingham's New Alexandra Theatre as part of its 30th anniversary tour.

The hit musical follows the lives of New York's High School For The Performing Arts students as they tackle challenges such as prejudice, identity, pride, literacy, sexuality, substance abuse and more.

Benidorm Live

December 3 to 29

Hit TV show Benidorm is being transformed into a live show that makes its debut this year.

Derren Litten has written an all new set of Alicante escapades for the much-loved cast members, including Jake Canuso, Janine Duvitski, Adam Gillen, Sherrie Hewson, Shelley Longworth and Tony Maudsley.