THE FULL line-up for this year’s Perth Festival of the Arts has been unveiled, revealing the broad appeal that has made the event such a success in recent years.

Taking place in Perth Concert Hall, Perth Theatre and St John’s Kirk from May 22 to June 1, the 37th festival features everything from world-class classical musicians to comedians and the stars of television’s Strictly Come Dancing.

“I think it is shaping up to be one of the most exciting festivals we have ever presented,” said chairman Craig Dennis.

“It is our continued aim to make Perth the capital city of Scottish culture for the duration of each festival.

“Our festival has grown in many ways over the last few years, not least in the numbers who attend our concerts and events.”

The box office opens on March 31 at 10am and the programme can be viewed at www.perthfestival.co.uk

The Bell Lawrie Festival Concert features The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and soloists Lesley Garrett (soprano), Tasmin Little (violin), Peter Donohoe (piano) and Julian Lloyd Webber (cello). It will be conducted by Philip Ellis at Perth Concert Hall on June 1.

Bell Lawrie has been one of the festival’s major sponsors in recent years, supporting concerts with Bryn Terfel, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Lesley Garrett.

The festival will be opened by English Touring Opera, who will stage two operas at Perth Theatre— Don Giovanni by Mozart and Anna Bolena by Donizetti—and a production of Red Riding Hood for primary school children.

The artistes in residence will be The Nash Ensemble of London, and other artistes include The Russian State Symphony Orchestra with John Lill.

Meanwhile Dame Emma Kirkby (soprano) will join Florilegium for a concert of Bach and Beyond in St John’s Kirk.

On the popular music front Richard Hawley plays at Perth Concert Hall on May 22. A previous member of Pulp, his solo career is now flourishing and he was recently nominated for a Brit Award. His Perth gig will follow directly after his Albert Hall show and will be unique to Scotland.

Scottish favourite Calvin Harris plays a standing gig with his band on May 30 in Perth Concert Hall.

Meanwhile The Levellers are celebrating their 20th anniversary and enjoying something of a renaissance. Recent re-releases of albums such as Levelling The Land and Zeitgeist have won over new audiences. Other popular shows will be The London Community Gospel Choir, The Battlefield Band and The Great Big Gilbert and Sullivan Show.

Jazz legend Courtney Pine and his band play a tribute to Sidney Bechet, and Sir Richard Rodney Bennett plays with jazz singer Claire Martin. Both shows are in Perth Theatre.

The Magic of Dance with Camilla Dallerup and Ian Waite, two of the professional dancers from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, is likely to be a popular choice. Camilla partnered Blue Peter’s Gethin Jones and Ian was with Penny Lancaster. They will be joined by New Zealand singing star Will Martin, a string quartet and more ballroom dancers.

On the comedy front Dara O’Briain, host of Mock the Week, performs at Perth Concert Hall.

Radio 4 favourite and ‘Grumpy Old Man’ Arthur Smith stages a night of stand-up comedy in Perth Theatre, as will Jonathan Ross’s house band.

Richard Thomson will also perform his Rebus McTaggart show fresh from The Edinburgh Fringe.

Likely Lad Rodney Bewes appears in a new adaptation of Jerome K. Jerome story On the Stage—And Off, which was premiered at the Edinburgh Festival in the summer.

This year’s brochure features the work of Perthshire artist Madeleine Hand from Dunkeld, who was commissioned by the festival to illustrate Perth landmarks.

Perth Bridge, the River Tay, St John’s Kirk of Perth, Perth Museum and Art Gallery, The Ferguson Gallery, the Perth Concert Hall and the Mercat Cross all feature in Madeleine’s stylish drawings.

Booking opens at 10am on March 31.

To book online go to www.horsecross.co.uk, by telephone call 0845 612 6330, or go to Perth Concert Hall or Perth Theatre. Friends of The Festival can book by booking form from today.