The show must go on. Welcome Queen Elizabeth!

So the Queen Elizabeth is almost here, and Cunard are pulling out all the stops to ensure that every aspect of their new ship has the wow factor! As for the entertainment onboard you can expect everything from Shakespeare to Neil Simon. Cunard has announced a huge range of production shows as well as topical news quizzes to be staged in the blue and gold, art deco-themed Royal Court Theatre......



For the first time, actors are being included among cast members of the newly formed Queen Elizabeth Theatre Company (most lines just have singers and dancers).

As for the rest of the line-up:

Lovers of Shakespeare will be able to enjoy an abridged version of "Twelfth Night," while there will be a taste of more contemporary drama with a Neil Simon triple bill, featuring a scene each from "Last of the Red Hot Lovers," "Plaza Suite" and "The Odd Couple," each linked by its setting either in an apartment or a hotel suite. The audience will have a chance to meet the actors for a Q&A at the end of each show.

Two more production shows include "The Piccadilly Line," centred on a tube carriage on the London Underground, and "Hotel Royale," set against the backdrop of a fading hotel with some unusual and quirky staff and guests. Sound familiar? Basil Faulty anyone!

"Sing," based on the Singers in Concert shows on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will feature covers of popular hits from musicals, pop and light classics.

"La Danza" is a dance-themed production show in the same vein as Apassionata and Dance Passion, running respectively on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

Finally, a specially written panel quiz show based on the format of the BBC's "Have I Got News For You" will also be staged during the day.

Actual scheduling of all the shows has yet to be announced, although we know some will be followed by theme parties, for example, a "London Swings" sixties night will always coincide with "A Slice Of Saturday Night".

Roll on October!!