Seven new shows and a season of plays have been added to the already-packed programme of performances at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre.

Tickets for the new productions will go on sale next week.

Thomas the Tank Engine will steam onto the stage at the Lichfield Street venue for the first time, appearing alongside Percy, James and Gordon for two shows on June 18 and 19.

First World War play Journey’s End will be performed at the Grand from October 4 to 8 while comedy The Naked Truth is returning to the region, between June 7 and 11, following a show in Stourbridge last month.

Children’s TV stars Chris and Pui are bringing their children’s roadshow to Wolverhampton on June 5 and the American Harlem Gospel Choir have included a Wolverhampton date in their world tour on June 6.

The Grimethorpe Colliery Band will present their Brassed Off 15th anniversary concert on July 11.

And Psychic Sally will be back by popular demand on October 16 after three sell-out performances in the last 12 months.

The summer play season returns from June 28 to July 23.

The plays and casts are yet to be confirmed but theatregoers can secure their seats early by choosing the subscription package of all four plays for £48 available to purchase from February 24.

The announcement of the new shows comes with Agatha Christie’s Verdict due to return to the Grand after an absence of 53 years next week.

The play originally received its World Premiere in Wolverhampton in 1958 before transferring to the West End — the author herself sat in the audience on the very first night.

More than five decades on the play is returning from Monday with Dawn Steele leading an all-star cast for one week only. The actress is best known for playing Lexie MacDonald in the hit BBC drama Monarch of the Glen and recently starred as Alice Collins in the popular ITV series Wild at Heart, which continues for its sixth series.

The return of the play has added to the feel-good factor at the Grand following a record-breaking panto season.

More than 65,000 tickets were sold for the star-studded Aladdin show. The panto raked in £1.1 million in box office takings, with producers putting the success down to the “Biggins Factor”.

Bosses took £100,000 in advance sales before the end of January last year after it was announced panto legend Christopher Biggins would be starring as Widow Twankey.

For more information about the new shows visit www.grandtheatre.co.uk