CARLISLE'S leading performance venue The Sands Centre is back with a bang for 2022, after a difficult time for theatre throughout the pandemic.

From world-class comedy to in-depth lectures from people with very interesting stories, the venue has a lot on offer for the rest of this year.

Daniel Charlton, events manager at The Sands Centre said: "Welcoming both audiences and artistes back to our city truly is a fantastic feeling!

"The coming months are packed with a vast range of great shows and events with highlights including award-winning Opera 'Madama Butterfly', charismatic couple Dick and Angel Strawbridge with their brand new show 'Dare To Do It', and David Walliams's wonderful West End family favourite 'Billionaire Boy'."

Here are our top picks for 2022 at the venue:

Russell Brand

The popular comic will reflect on the strangeness of the last 18 months, looking at what we have learned and not learned and how we get back to normal after the pandemic.

Paul Weller

The rocker who has had hits as frontman of world class bands such as Style Council and the Jam returns to Carlisle this year alongside special guests to wow Carlisle once more.

Dick and Angel Strawbridge (Dare to Do It)

The stars of Channel 4 hit "Escape to the Chateau" are on the road again on their 'Dare to do it' Tour with so much more to say. During this highly entertaining evening, the duo explains who they are, where they have come from, how they met and why they dared to do it.

Oti Mabuse

Prepare for a night of electrifying choreography as Oti is joined by some of the world's greatest dancers and west end musicians.

Jimmy Carr - Terribly Funny

The popular comic who can often be seen on shows like 'Eight out of ten cats' will visit the Sand's Centre to poke fun at all sorts of 'terrible things'.

Billionaire Boy

A great one for all the family from the award-winning West End producers of Gangsta Granny and Horrible Histories comes this amazing new production of David Walliams' best-selling story.

Diversity- Connected

The dance troupe will take to the stage after celebrating 10 years since they won Britain’s Got Talent in 2021 and it's set to be amazing.

Alan Carr

Alan's back on the road with a brand-new stand-up show 'Regional Trinket'. From the exhilarating high of his star-studded wedding day to the low of lockdown stuck on a farm.

An Audience with Liverpool Legends

One for any football fan, Champions League Winners in 2005 Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Vladimir Smicer on stage together hosted by Jed Stone.

Tony Hadley

One of the most renowned voices in British music, Tony Hadley is celebrating a remarkable 40 years in music.

To find out more about any of these performances visit: https://betterboxoffice.co.uk/the-sands-centre