THE Brindley, Halton Borough Council's £9 million, purpose built venue and arts centre, in Runcorn, launches its opening season with a feast of events featuring some hot new talent and a few surpises!

Multi-million selling singer, Tony Hadley, formerly of Spandau Ballet plays a special 'one-off' show on Saturday 2 October, but not before the hottest new talent on the comedy circuit, Runcorn's own John Bishop takes to the stage on Saturday 25 September.

This is the first of two great comedy specials, the other features funny man Al Murray, star of recent hit T.V. shows 'Hell's Kitchen' and 'Time Gentleman Please', on Friday 5 November.

Musical highlights include an appearance by the legendary Elkie Brooks on Saturday 18 December, while The Brindley's drama season includes the venue's own production of Stephen King's 'Misery', featuring the very popular Pauline Daniels, famous for her role in 'Shirley Valentine'.

The English Touring Opera will be performing one of the most popular operas 'La Boheme', while family fun comes from shows like Bananas In Pyjamas, Irish crooner Dominic Kirwan and 'Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs', starring Mark Rafferty, better known as Dr. Darcy from Neighbours.

The Brindley box office is open between 10.00am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am and 2.00pm every Saturday.

For more details of everything that's happening at The Brindley, please telephone 0151 9078360.