Brighton's newest old venue has lined up a season featuring star names, well-loved shows and a few styles that may be new to you.

Brighton meets Broadway magic with the BBC Concert Orchestra on September 28 as Rodgers and Hart's sparkling musicals Pal Joey and On Your Toes hit the stage.

Narrator Julia McKenzie, is joined by a glittering cast, including Broadway performer Kim Criswell, West End Gershwin star, Tim Flavin, veteran stage performer Bonnie Langford and sophisticated songstress Sophie-Louise Dann.

American conductor Robert Ziegler leads the proceedings.

There won't be a dry eye in the house when the UK debut of the Russian State Opera of Rostov's lavish production of Puccini's masterpiece, Madam Butterfly arrives for one night only.

One of the great operatic love stories, it includes some of the most seductive music ever composed.

The Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment make a welcome return, conducted by the charismatic Sir Charles Mackerras.

Famed for their mastery of period instruments, this is a concert not to be missed.

The city's resident, Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra launch their 78th season with two special guest award-winning pianists: Italian Davide Franceschetti and Argentinian Nelson Goerner.

Brighton Dome is proud to present ten days of comedic mayhem with the first Paramount Brighton Comedy Festival - the biggest in England, with all three venues playing host to an array of national and international artists.

More than 70 shows in ten days all jostle for your attention with big names including Al Murray, Jeremy Hardy, John Hegley, Jenny Eclair, Lee Evans, Mark Steel, Mark Little, Howard Marks, Rhona Cameron, Tony Hawks, Ed Byrne, Dylan Moran and the extraordinary Puppetry Of The Penis.

Head for the official web site at www.brightoncomedyfestival.co.uk Two classic rock icons bring a harder edge to the season.

Captivating folk-singer Roy Harper and son Nick, will be performing everything from the music of his busking days to classics from the blues boom of the Sixties.

The Concert Hall will also play host to Britain's foremost chronicler of swinging London - Ray Davies, lead singer, chief songwriter and rhythm guitarist of The Kinks.

There will also be a rare visit by country legend Don Williams in the Dome Concert Hall and the beautiful and famously bespectacled Nana Mouskouri is also set to charm you.

From Senegal come legendary band Orchestra Baobab, who, after 20 years apart, look set to become another Buena Vista Social Club success story with their gorgeous fusion of Cuban dance rhythms and Senegalese music styles.

Meanwhile, in the Pavilion Theatre, rising Cuban star pianist Omar Sosa will make his debut appearance with his trio.

Spanish guitar maestro Eduardo Niebla, regarded as one of the leading jazz-flamenco guitarists around, comes to Brighton with a new quartet, following a sell-out world tour.

Quality dance returns to the Concert Hall, with one of Europe's most celebrated choreographers, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker and her company Rosas.

Billed as the new Pina Bausch, this choreographer has been causing a storm in the contemporary dance world.

They perform a mesmeric dance to Steve Reich's Drumming.

And finally, just in time for Halloween, Forkbeard Fantasy, one of the great surreal theatre companies brings its bizarrely unhinged take on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein to the Corn Exchange.

Full details of all events appear in this season's brochure. For further information call the box office on 01273 709709 or email: tickets@brighton-dome.org.uk
This preview was provided by the venue