THE Theatre Royal is showing off its shiny new box office which matches the building's modern glass facade.

After a £16,000 make-over, theatre bosses say they are thrilled to finally have a box office which fits with the look of the theatre's frontage and coordinates with the theatre's overhauled website.

The renovation was carried out over summer, the theatre's quietest period, to minimise disruption for theatre goers - and theatre staff are now looking forward to welcoming visitors to shows during the busy autumn-winter season.

Theatre manager Chantelle Nolan said: "The old box office had been the same for as long as I had been involved with the theatre and was in desperate need of a make-over.

"We invested the restoration levy funding from ticket sales into designing a new box office, which took seven weeks to complete."

She added: "I am delighted with the result. The new box office is much more stylish and light and airy with lots of glass. We have created more space so we can recruit another member of box office staff. Booking and collecting tickets will now be much quicker and efficient."

And the Corporation Street theatre has a sizzling season of entertainment lined up this autumn-winter - from live music and tribute acts to comedy, musicals and pantos. Here are some of the highlights:

Music lovers can enjoy the songs of Rod Stewart in 'Some Guys Have All the Luck' on October 8 or boogie to the brothers Gibb in BeeGees tribute 'Nights on Broadway' on November 4.

Comedy king Ken Dodd will be bringing his famous Happiness Show to the theatre on October 1 and comic Dave Spikey, from Channel 4's 'Phoenix Nights', will appear on October 27.

A stage play version of Helen Forrester novel 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey' will be performed from November 7 to 12, and comedy 'Rita, Sue & Bob Too!' returns to the theatre from November 22 to 26 starring Darren Day.

Other highlights include musical 'Annie' from October 13 to 15 and TV presenter and children's author Steve Backshall will take theatre goers on a wild tour of his real-life expeditions on October 28.

Panto lovers can catch 'Wizard of Oz' from October 22 to 30 starring Eastenders actress Cheryl Ferguson as the Wicked Witch of the West, and the season will come to a close with Christmas pantomime 'Aladdin'.

To find out what else is on, or to book tickets, visit sthelenstheatreroyal.com.