THE Bowdon Rooms are preparing for a brighter future.

Events planned for late this year and early next include an intimate evening with Sir Lenny Henry followed by other black tie events with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sir Tony Robinson and Brian Blessed.

Musical items already booked include Mercury prize nominee, John Bramwell, Brian McFadden of Westlife, The Real Thing, Matt Ford and his 17 piece big band, The Three Degrees, the James Taylor quartet, Clare Teal and her Trio live at the Bowdon Rooms and Atomic Kittens’ Natasha Hamilton.

From Monday July 19 to Saturday July 23, straight from the West End, the Bowdon Rooms will present Elton John, It’s A Little Bit Funny.   Written by Chris Burgess and directed by Ben Stock, it tells of Elton John’s rise, fall and rise again as one of the best singer/songwriters ever.

Martin Kaye, star of Million Dollar Quartet will perform Elton John’s greatest songs.

Manchester-born Martin has recorded four albums and travelled internationally for over a decade.   Not only a great songster and pianist, he is also a little bit funny..

Ticket prices range from £24.50 - £27.50.

Before that, on Wednesday February 24 at 7 pm, in a candle lit room, the front man of John Squire’s post Stone Roses band, The Sea Horses will perform solo on his intricate three way guitar.

Tickets are priced £18.15.

Other events, now bookable are:

Sunday, March 7  The Big Country

Thursday, March 25. An Evening with Alan McGee

Saturday, March 27 Peter Karrie, the Man behind the Mask

Friday, April 2. An Evening with Shaun Ryder

Tickets for all the above can be booked from bowdontickets.co.uk or telephone 0345 208 1836.