A CELEBRITY will be heading to the stage as part of an exciting month of music coming to Tenbury in May.

A grand piano, generously supplied by local firm Broughton Pianos, will take centre stage at the town's Regal theatre, as it hosts a fortnight of events built around this remarkable instrument.

Alongside live opera as part of the Regal Opera Festival, the Regal is delighted to present English impressionist, comedian, actor, pianist and poet Alistair McGowan, and a special silent film screening with live improvised piano, celebrating the Regal’s heritage as an original art deco cinema.

The theatre is committed to bringing new and exciting live experiences to Tenbury Wells and the wider community. Its inaugural opera festival opens on Saturday, May 3, with Carmen Re-imagined, a cut-down production of Bizet’s masterful opera presented by four incredible professional singers and a pianist.

Presented by Rogue Opera, the opera will be sung in French with English dialogue and features popular arias such as Habanera and the Toreador Song. Tickets start at £27.50.

Alistair McGowan is bringing his new three-in-one show featuring beautiful music, funny and poignant poems and spot-on mimicry to the Regal stage on Thursday, May 8.

On Friday, May 9, the theatre will be joined by celebrated concert pianist and jazz musician Mark Latimer and friends, featuring rising star singer and pianist Gracie Beverley. This event is priced as Pay What You Can with tickets priced from £0 - £15.

The Regal Opera Festival continues Saturday, May 10, with A Night at the Opera, featuring professional opera singers soprano Erika Mädi Jones, mezzo soprano Charlotte Wicks, tenor Andrew Henley, baritone Felix Kemp and the incomparable Charlotte Forrest at the piano, joined by the Neen Sollars and Milson Community Choir who will provide a scratch opera chorus for the event.

On Sunday, May 11, the Regal is thrilled to host a special evening of film and live music with 1923 silent romantic-comedy, Safety Last!, featuring the daredevil antics of Harold Lloyd accompanied by live improvised piano accompaniment by celebrated pianist and organist Darius Battiwalla, Leeds City Organist, known for his masterful live scores for silent films. This event is open to all ages.

Tickets can be booked at www.regaltenbury.co.uk or via the box office 01584 811442 (open 10am -12pm Mon to Saturday).