by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

The interval is nearly over as theatre bosses reveal the first productions to tread the boards at the new £25.6 million Marlowe Theatre.

The first season boasts everything from a new pre-West End musical to the world premiere of a brand new dance work.

With a larger 1,200 auditorium, the theatre needs some big name acts if they are to fill the extra seats, and theatre goers are being promised that the line-up will not disappoint.

The first curtain call will come for a top secret gala evening on October 4, with names of performers being kept firmly under wraps until later in the year.

Next on the bill is a major new production of Alan Bennet's The Madness of George III which opens in the main auditorium on Monday, October 17.

Four Weddings and a Funeral and The Thin Blue Line actor David Haig will be starring in the drama which mixes politics, history and comedy.

The Marlowe Studio launches the same week, with Shakesperian company Propeller stepping into the limelight to host Pocket Comedy, an hour-long introduction to The Comedy of Errors for youngsters.

Northern Ballet will bring The Nutcracker to Canterbury, with the new studio space making room for the popular company to run a series of workshops and events.

Top Hat is being dubbed as a jewel in the line up crown which theatre boss Mark Everett said would never had come to the old venue.

The first-ever stage production of the legendary 1935 film starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers will roll into Canterbury before heading on to the West End.

Tom Chambers of Strictly Come Dancing and Holby City fame will star alongside Summer Strallen from Hoylloaks and Love Never Dies.

Other crowd pleasers include Grease, Magic of Motown, Bob the Builder and Richard Alston Dance Company's A Ceremony of Carols.

Cinderella will be the first Marlowe Pantomime, and will be followed up with family favourite Peter Pan on Ice.

Theatre director Mark Everett said: "The new Marlowe enables us to present an even broader mixture of shows than ever before.

"The Marlowe Studio will not only be an exciting venue in its own right, but will also help us create new performances specially for Kent.

"We are all looking forward to welcoming back many friends and supporters and to encouraging new people to enjoy this fabulous building.

"Our aim is to bring you the best of everything."

Booking opens to the Marlowe Friends on Monday, March 14 and to the general public on Monday, April 11.

Let us know what you think of the new programme? What show or production would you have wanted at the Marlowe? What would make your top five productions of all time?