New stars and shows have been revealed by Fareham Borough Council as a new £16 million entertainment venue nears completion.

Fareham Live is currently under construction and will open as an all-new, multi-purpose facility in September.

Fareham Live is part of the council’s multi-million-pound plans to redevelop the civic quarter and regenerate the Town Centre.

The shows set for 2024 include Australian superstar Jason Donovan, who will lead a talented cast as the charismatic Frank N Furter in the legendary Rock ‘n’ Roll musical - The Rocky Horror Show.

Pantomime Cinderella will star AJ & Curtis Pritchard, and the opening season also includes shows from Jimmy Carr, Jane McDonald, Anton du Beke, Adam Kay and Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

The new venue features a main auditorium with seating for 800 people and a full-height fly tower to support high-quality performances.

A secondary performance space, a new bar and cafe area, and studio space for community groups, will also form part of the new building. 

Removable seating will also increase capacity in the main hall to around 1,000, allowing for a wide range of performances, functions, and live events to be programmed.

Councillor Sue Walker said: “Fareham Live’s opening season launch is another significant milestone for the venue and I, for one, cannot wait to see what it has in store for us.

“I encourage everyone to head to the website to have a look and start booking in their theatre trips.”

The council said that more shows are set to be added to the programme before completion in September.

Jason Donovan said: “I cannot wait to be on stage and to open Fareham Live with the legendary Rocky Horror Show.

“From the very first performance in London, Richard O’Brien created a show from the wilds of his imagination with incredible music that has now stood the test of time, and an awesome energy that befits its accolades and endurance.

“Quite simply, it’s a rock n roll show appealing to the cheeky side of us all.”