THE big name draw for Hereford's Courtyard Theatre next year is stand-up comedian and star of Channel 4's Black Books, Dylan Moran.

Moran, pictured right, who has won both a Perrier and Channel 4's So You Think You're Funny awards will be bringing his new show to the theatre on Monday, February 24.

As well as Black Books, Moran also had a cameo as Rufus the thief in Notting Hill.

Another highlight on the venue's comedy agenda is an appearance by Richard Herring of BBC 2's Lee and Herring fame.

His new show Talking Cock on Monday, opens on Monday, March 17.

In terms of theatre, there is a strong literary cinematic theme running through the Courtyard Theatre's plans for the New Year.

As well as the Middle Ground theatre groups production of Noel Coward's stiff upper lip classic Brief Encounter in February, Snap Theatre Company will perform a chilling stage version of Anthony Burgess' dystopian novel A Clockwork Orange in March.

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be produced in house and is scheduled for early June and the Youth Theatre will turn the main auditorium into a cold, clinical asylum for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Quick change artist Ennio Marchetto will be taking to the main stage turning origami into theatrical magic on Tuesday, February 25.

David Hare's notorious play about promiscuity and guilt The Blue Room opens in April.

Described as pure theatrical viagra the play uses nudity, sexual content and strong language to show an age where characters meet, copulate and move on.

David Benson's critically acclaimed tribute to Kenneth Williams, Think no Evil of Us opens in January.

During the Easter the Youth Theatre will perform CS Lewis' enchanted tale The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe live on stage with a score specially composed by the venue's musical director Rab Handleigh.

The Courtyard has also secured the rights to rarely performed musical A Chorus Line which will be performed to coincide with the theatre's fifth anniversary.

The year will be rounded off with the panto The Little Mermaid written by local writer Lyndsay Maples.

On the musical side, the theatre is welcoming the likes of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, The Blues Brothers tribute, The Orchestra of the Swan, and Ga Ga The Ultimate Tribute to Queen.