THE Courtyard's new season is packed with an exciting range of events due to take place from New Year through to the end of March infrom its Hereford venue.

Popular faces will return to the venue including music groups the Syd Lawrence Orchestra - with Glenn Miller and Sinatra numbers - and the inimitable West Country group The Wurzels.

Gritty drama is scheduled to appear on the programme on Tuesday, January 24, with Red Shift Theatre Company's performance of the classic Get Carter. Set in a northern steel town in 1971, the play is set in a dark criminal underworld and explores British gangland culture.

The European Arts Company will also perform a double bill of black comedies by Harold Pinter on Monday, February 20.

A band that played at Glastonbury this year will arrive on Friday, February 3. The Ukulele Orchestras of Great Britain is a cult orchestra featuring singing and ukuleles of all shapes and sizes.

Urban dance in the shape of Rumble is due to appear on Friday, March 3, and comedy clubs will be held every two weeks throughout the season. For a full programme, to book tickets, or for more information, call the box office on 0870 1122330.

TV STARS FOR LEAD ROLES IN VAGINA MONOLOGUES SHOW

MICHELLE Collins and Anneka Rice have been announced as two

of the star names in Vagina Monologues at Birmingham Hippodrome.

Michelle Collins, best remembered for her role as Cindy in EastEnders, is joined by Anneka Rice who rose to fame in the BBC hit Challenge Anneka.

Following a sell-out season last year, the show returns to Birmingham next year with a brand new celebrity cast.

Based on author Eve Ensler's Vagina Interviews conducted with women all over the world, the witty and moving collection of tales gives voice to a chorus of lusty, outrageous, poignant, brave and human stories.

The Vagina Monologues runs from Tuesday, January 31 to Saturday, February 4. Tickets are priced at between £13 to £25 and are available by calling the box office directly on 0870 7301234 or by visiting www.birminghamhippodrome.com