The Mayflower is all ship-shape for 2012 as the breathtaking Broadway and Barbican production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific arrives from Tuesday for a threeweek run.

Starring Samantha Womack, this new production is set on a tropical island during the Second World War. It’s the sweeping romantic story of two couples threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices.

That’s followed by the first ever appearance of The Russian State Ballet of Siberia from February 7 to 12, bringing to life four of the world’s most beautiful and popular ballets with its exquisite traditional productions La Fille Mal Gardée, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker.

Dreamboats and Petticoats, the musical inspired by the hit albums, makes a return from February 13 to 18. Featuring songs from Roy Orbison, The Shadows, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Chuck Berry and many more.

The nuns will rock in February as the musical comedy Sister Act arrives for a two-week run from February 21.

The show stars Coronation Street’s Denise Black as Mother Superior, and Brookside and The Royal favourite Michael Starke as Monsignor O’Hara, with rising new star Cynthia Erivo as nun on the run Deloris Van Cartier.

Those Calendar Girls are coming back to Southampton for the very last time from March 5 to 10.

The original Calendar Girl herself, Lynda Bellingham, returns to the show with Camilla Dallerup, Jan Harvey, Sue Holderness, Deena Payne, Lisa Riley, June Watson and Ruth Madoc, with Kevin Sacre as Lawrence the photographer and Joe McGann as John. A group of ordinary women do something extraordinary and spark a global phenomenon when they persuade one another to pose for a charity calendar with a difference.

The master of psychological illusion returns for a week from March 12 with a brand new show Derren Brown: Svengali. Enjoy the master of magic, mind control and manipulation.

The Mayflower is bringing Leicester Curve’s acclaimed production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s smash-hit musical The King and I, to Southampton from March 20 to 24.

Ramon Tikaram will play the role of The King and Josefina Gabrielle will play the role of Anna. The King and I tells the heart-warming story of the British governess brought to the court of Siam to tutor the King’s many children.

David McVicar’s highly acclaimed production of Verdi’s La Traviata, set in 19th century Paris, returns to open the Welsh National Opera’s Spring Season from March 27 for a week.

Dirty Dancing will set pulses racing when it arrives for a four-week run from April 3.

This worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

C a m e r o n Mackintosh’s new production of Lionel Bart’s smash hit musical Oliver! follows from May 1 to 26, starring Brian Conley as Fagin, Samantha Barks as Nancy and Iain Fletcher as Bill Sikes.