EXPECT laughs, blues-busting gigs and off-kilter shows this season as the Wyvern and Arts Centre announces a packed programme.

From stand-up to musicals with top-notch tribute acts thrown in for good measure, the line-up promises to beat the tedium of winter nights.

As usual the venues will play to their strength with a roster of established and up-and-coming comedians set to hit the stage.

Geordie comic and one-time guest editor of the Adver, Ross Noble, will return to the Wyvern with his latest tour Brain Dump on January 18, swiftly followed by Omid Djalili on January 22. Rob Beckett and Jon Richardson will also grace Swindon with their presence in March.

Meanwhile the Arts Centre will turn bona fide comedy club with a glut of artists set to perform until March, including controversial stand-up Andrew Lawrence, the outspoken Shazia Mirza, unrepentant optimist Lucy Porter, Henning Wehn, Tiff Stevenson, Gary Delaney and Sara Pascoe.

There will also be plenty of gigs and musical acts to whet interest. The Chicago Blue Brothers will wreak a little havoc at the Wyvern on January 19 before clearing the stage for the high-octane Circus of Horrors on January 20 and Think Floyd on the 21st. The Little Mix Experience and Rumours of Fleetwood Mac will take over in February before a week-long run of Willy Russell’s award-winning Blood Brothers. Other acts include Abbamania and Swindon favourite, That’ll Be The Day. Menopause The Musical will also make an anticipated return with Maureen Nolan in the lead.

The bard’s most assiduous fans will be treated to another barmy show by the Reduced Shakespeare Company on March 3.

Welsh legend Andy Fairweather Low will also make a pit stop at the Wyvern on March 4 while Swindon’s own Ten in a Bar will delight their loyal public at the Arts Centre.

As for thrill-seekers, they will get to walk on the wild side as explorer Levison Wood and presenter Naomi Wilkinson share their hair-raising tales and close shaves with wild beasts.

Theatre director Derek Aldridge said: “We aim to have something for everybody to enjoy and believe that we have achieved this with a diverse programme of shows and events for the new year. From award-winning musical Blood Brothers to an evening with the television scientist behind BBC’s Child of Our Time, Robert Winston, Swindon is well and truly on the map with producers and performers from all genres.”

To book or for a full schedule of events visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call the box office on 01793 524481.