Theatre director Chris Glover, who took the helm at the Churchill when HQ Theatres took over the contract to run it in April, introduced the line-up of shows into 2017 on Monday.

He told us: “It is about launching brand new shows in Bromley again. We wanted to be back on the local and national theatre map.”

He added: “Bromley has a really, really loyal audience and they love the fact that they see the big shows here first. The audience love that and celebrate that.”

Among the shows heading to Bromley first is The Commitments.

Roddy Doyle’s musical, based on his own novel (and a 1991 movie version) has been a smash on the West End since 2013 - featuring hits such as (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Papa Was a Rolling Stone and Think - and is finally heading on tour around the country, starting in Bromley from October 3 to 7.

Mr Glover said: “We are launching Pride and Prejudice here in partnership with Regent’s Park Theatre. After the park, the company will come here and get ready for a national tour, so the people of Bromley get to see that first.

“Also I am really, really proud that we are bringing Chicago here for the first time.

“It is a phenomenally successful production. It think it is still running on Broadway and it ran in London for years.

“It’s a really good cast as well - Jessie Wallace has just been announced as Mama Morton, who was successful here in January in the Peter James adaptation. So I’m really pleased about that.”

In January, the Churchill will launch the brand new tour of Bill Kenwright’s production of Evita.

HQ Theatres took on the running of the theatre after winning Bromley Council’s bidding process and in April officially took over from Ambassador Theatre Group, who had been in charge for 15 years.

As well as bigger shows, HQ Theatres – which also runs the Orchard Theatre in Dartford under Mr Glover’s stewardship – is planning to increase the food offered.

From August, the Churchill will serve pre-show food, afternoon tea and backstage tour packages and is also set to host dining shows such as murder mysteries and interactive sit-com tribute Only Fools and Three Courses.

Go to churchilltheatre.co.uk

What’s coming up at the Churchill?

Pride and Prejudice, September 21 to 24

Next year will mark 200 years since the death of Jane Austen and the great 19th century novelist’s most famous work comes to Bromley direct from a sell-out run in Regent’s Park before heading off around the country.

The Commitments, October 3 to 7

Featuring more than 20 soul classics, the show about young unemployed men in Dublin who form a band was a long-running hit in the West End and kicks off its UK tour in Bromley.

Dead Sheep, November 30 to December 3

Journalist Jonathan Maitland’s debut play tells the true story of how Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was brought down by her one-time friend Geoffrey Howe. Steve Nallon, who played Thatcher in the BBC series Spitting Image, is the Iron Lady once again.

Peter Pan, December 9 to January 7

Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood is the star name this year as the evil Captain Hook in the tale of the boy who never grew up.

Evita, January 12 to 14

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical about the wife of a former Argentine dictator, which has more than 20 major awards under its belt, returns to the stage in a tour which begins in Bromley.

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