A new season, full of star names, has started in style at a popular venue.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Craig and Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers have announced a concert at Lowestoft'’s Marina Theatre on July 17. Picture: MURDO MACLEOD.Craig and Charlie Reid, The Proclaimers have announced a concert at Lowestoft'’s Marina Theatre on July 17. Picture: MURDO MACLEOD. (Image: Copyright Murdo MacLeod, no syndication)

For the past decade, Lowestoft's Marina Theatre has offered its audiences one of the most varied programmes in the region.

And management at the venue said the Marina is set to present one of its strongest seasons ever this year – featuring drama, comedy and music, an 11th year of association with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and a host of family entertainment.

After the musical Dreamboats and Miniskirts opened at the Marina at the start of this month, ahead of a major national tour, another first for the Lowestoft stage comes in June with the 60th anniversary tour of Agatha Christie classic The Mousetrap.

Further top drama, including Joe Orton's What The Butler Saw and The Ripper Murders, written by Avengers screenwriter Brian Clemens, follows.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Kevin BridgesKevin Bridges (Image: Archant)

This Friday, the RPO enters an unprecedented 11th year of residency at the Marina with its opening gala concert.

Comedy highlights include Kevin Bridges, Jasper Carrott, Nina Conti, Rich Hall, Jethro and Andy Parsons. Family entertainment features B*Witched vocalist and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Edele Lynch joining CBeebies Sid Sloane in The Pirates of Treasure Island, along with further favourites including Octonauts, Pop Factor, Peppa Pig and Milkshake Live – as well as the world premiere of David Walliams' Gangsta Granny, which visits Lowestoft prior to opening in London's West End.

Musical highlights include Russell Watson, winners of BBC Television's Last Choir Standing Only Men Aloud and classical Brit Award winners Blake, alongside a host of shows celebrating some of the biggest stars ever produced – including Mario Kombou in The Elvis Years, Barry Steele as Roy Orbison and a major event celebrating 100 years since the birth of Frank Sinatra.

And, as part of their 2015 seaside and regional summer shows, The Proclaimers will perform in concert at the Marina on July 17.

The annual pantomime will be the magical tale of Sleeping Beauty – with tickets now on sale.

Marina chief executive Martin Halliday said: 'We are pleased to present our new season here at the Marina Theatre.

'Since the Marina Theatre became part of a charitable trust just over three years ago, we have worked hard to improve the fabric of the building.

'This year, in partnership with the local authority, will see further improvements to the historic facade and major repairs to the roof enabling our busy mix of shows, films, community events and big screen entertainment to continue for many years to come.'

? To book for any event, call the box office on 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk