FROM Bill Bailey to Ed Byrne, Eddie Izzard and Jenny Eclair, Jason Manford and Rob Beckett, the Beggar's Theatre has had plenty of top names from the entertainment world blazing a trail to the Millom theatre.

Some acts go on to be global sensations and a groundbreaking piece new writing for theatre in conjunction with Cancer Research UK - Genesis, a play about breast cancer - has also been staged at the popular Furness venue.

Artistic director Jakki Moore has plenty more in the pipeline: "We have the winner of Britain’s Got Talent - Lost Voice Guy and have welcomed massive acts like Alan Carr. We are certainly a place that these fantastic acts love to perform. Our wonderful audience and intimate venue, are enticing the best in all styles of entertainers."

"As a result of the success of acts, we often have to make changes to our programme, and this Friday is one of those events where Mat Ricardo has been contracted to fly off to the TV lights of stardom but we have had our ears to the ground and been on the phones and are really happy to announce the new two act show to replace Mat is Iestyn Edwards aka Madame Gulina and Stewart Pemberton."

Iestyn's show is Madame Galina Ballet Star Galactica Variety Special. Spectacularly adored, the show has been seen by The Queen, Anne Robinson and Joanna Lumley, and many more far and wide.

As seen on Channel 4, in the Olivier Award winning C'est Barbican and four tours entertaining troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Iestyn has been described as an irrepressible tour de force of variety.

"I've been doing this 32 years, with Command Performances under my belt for Her Majesty, the Queen of Sweden, and Princes of Saudi," explains West End, Blackpool and international headliner, Iestyn. "I did my panto dames at the request of Dougie Squires himself, and just did a private party for the Devil Wears Prada of Variety."

Friday's show also stars Stewart Pemberton, juggler, tap dancer and percussionist, who graduated from the National Centre for Circus - formerly The Circus Space - in 2002. An international performer and higher education teacher, he has performed around the world in theatres, festivals, television and film, plus the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony at Delhi.

Box office 01229-775677.