Hippodrome's got talent with star-studded line-up

A performance from Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle, Sister Act and Dirty Dancing are among the highlights of the 2012 season at Birmingham Hippodrome.

The 20th anniversary tour of Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker!, Cameron Mackintosh's new production of the Lionel Bart classic Oliver! starring Neil Morrissey and Brian Conley and much-loved musical Blood Brothers will also be at the venue during the year.

Nutcracker! runs from February 7 to 11, Oliver! from March 13 to April 21 and Blood Brothers from October 22 to November 3.

The brand new musical I Dreamed a Dream featuring a special live performance by Susan Boyle runs from May 29 to June 2, while Sister Act, which was co-produced by the film's star Whoopi Goldberg, will take to the stage from October 9 to 20.

Fans of the hit film Dirty Dancing are also in for a sizzling summer when the production hits the venue from July 4 to August 25.

And the biennial International Dance Festival Birmingham, founded in 2008 and co-produced by Birmingham Hippodrome and DanceXchange, brings a spectacular range of international dance companies to the city.

Meanwhile, stand-up comic Dara O'Briain will be on stage on April 27 and 28 while comedian Kevin Bridges makes his first visit to the Hippodrome on November 11.

Stuart Griffiths, chief executive at the Hippodrome, said: "It's definitely full steam ahead here at Birmingham Hippodrome as we look forward to a packed 2012.

"In 2012 we'll also be very focussed on our Stage Appeal. We need to raise over £1 million towards the cost of replacing our 30 year-old stage, now requiring urgent repair. We're offering a huge thanks to all those who have donated so far, as we've nearly reached the halfway point with support from individual patrons, from grant-making charitable trusts and from generous corporate friends."

To carry out the stage work, the theatre will close for four weeks following the summer season of Dirty Dancing and will reopen with Birmingham Royal Ballet's autumn season. Visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com