VARIETY will be the spice of life at Blackpool's Grand Theatre this spring and summer, promised general manager Peter Cutchie at the latest brochure launch on Tuesday.

As well as the traditional summer season, headlined this year by comedian Billy Pearce, The Grand's new line-up includes This Life star Daniela Nardini in Camille, Gillian Taylforth in Bad Blood, plus a star-studded rep season including Ruth Madoc, Jonathon Morris, Jeffrey Holland, David Griffin and Sabina Franklyn.

There's also a mixed bag of dance, music from Kenny Ball, Acker Bilk and Chris Barber, comedy with Julian Clary, more theatre for children on the main stage and in The Studio, and The Grand's first Amdram Slam -- a three night festival of amateur groups with three different plays per night.

Mr Cutchie said if the new rep season was a success it was likely to be repeated.

And referring to the new brochure, he quipped: "This is The Grand's answer to the Blackpool masterplan."