THE new shows for the Summer 2019 season at Darlington Hippodrome include new drama, a hand-picked selection of musicals and family shows.

For drama lovers, there is The Mousetrap, starring Gwyneth Strong (April 29–May 4) and the classic Miss Marple tale A Murder is Announced (September 10–14), with The Lady Vanishes hot on their tail (October 15–19), a new stage adaptation based on the classic Hitchcock film.

For less thrills and more laughs there is Stones in His Pockets (July 15–20) and Stephen Tompkinson stars in Educating Rita (August 12–17).

For musical fans, Jaymi Hensley (UnionJ) will be pulling on that coat of many colours as he stars in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (May 21–25).

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (September 17–21) celebrates 30 years, and for all the family, there is Madagascar The Musical (October 9–13).

DarlingtonOS present the chilling Jekyll & Hyde The Musical (October 23–November 2).

Jason Manford stars in the musical comedy / murder mystery Curtains (November 12–16).

For younger visitors and families, larger-than-life dragon Zog will appear (May 17–19), and the team from Horrible Histories present Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians (June 20–23).

A brand new stage show of In The Night Garden is presented for young visitors to the Hippodrome (September 28 and 29) and the David Walliams classic story Billionaire Boy will hit the stage later in the year (November 6–10).

The National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company present three G&S classics – The Gondoliers, The Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado (August 1–3).

Puttin’ On The Ritz will bring to life the music of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and George Gershwin (August 6–8).

Celebrating the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons is New Jersey Nights (August 22–24).

For comedy lovers, Dave Spikey will grace the stage (May 16), there is an afternoon of fun with The Good Old Days of Variety (June 6), Adam Kay is back by popular demand (June 7), La Voix offers her own unique style of entertainment (June 18) while Frank Skinner (October 6) and Alexander Armstrong (November 4) will certainly pull in the crowds.

In The Hullabaloo more intimate comedy can be found with Tom Stade (May 3), Sophie Willan & Jonny Pelham (May 12), and Jan Ravens (May 29).

There are a number of "one night only" productions including Sing-A-Long-A The Greatest Showman (May 11), Elkie Brooks (May 29), Rhythm of the Dance (July 23), The Best of Wham! (September 1), and T.Rextasy (October 2).