THE economy has gone bad but you've never had it so good at Plymouth Pavilions.

The city venue gears up for its 21st birthday later in the year with arguably the strongest spring season ever.

New voice Rebecca Ferguson, rapper of the moment Professor Green and American folk veteran Joan Baez compete for the music headlines.

Sarah Millican, Dara O'Briain and Rhod Gilbert hold out the hope that this year will match 2011's outstanding comedy offer.

And Sesame Street Live and the jaw-dropping ShangHi by Cirque Du Ciel promise top-level family entertainment in a packed brochure unveiled this week.

And, despite the economic downturn audiences continue to flock to the Pavilions.

The mood is set by a strong opening to the new season with three sell-out shows.

Funnywoman Sarah Millican's Thoroughly Modern Millican tour arrives on February 2, Leeds rockers Kaiser Chiefs land two days later and Welsh voice and vision Katherine Jenkins brings her Daydream show on the seventh of the month.

Children clamouring to learn about the past – that's not something you see every day. The explanation is the return of the live show version of Horrible Histories. The Terrible Tudors and The Vile Victorians get the Terry Deary treatment and some "bogglevision" 3D from February Thursday 9-11.

On February 16 there is comedy from Jim Davidson, Jethro and Bobby Davro and music by Clare Sweeney and the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, who join forces in a gala in aid of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

There's still time that month for a double dose of the world's best stand-up as Billy Connolly gets back on the road for the first time in five years, calling at the Pavilions on February 22 and 23.

X Factor finalist Rebecca Ferguson arrives in March on the back of her critically well-received – and part self-penned – chart-topping album Heaven.

The same month boasts American folk great Joan Baez, too, plus another X Factor product, Matt Cardle.

Also in March, local folk hero Seth Lakeman teams up with the BBC Concert Orchestra for a Party at the Pavilions and there is more roots music from The Dubliners celebrate 50 years. The month's mix also includes TV psychic Sally Morgan and vintage brotherly popsters The Osmonds.

There's still room the same month for Enter Shikari to arrive, McFly to land and some prog rock to bubble up from Down Under with the return of the Australian Pink Floyd.

As March ends, Noah and the Whale surface.

Sesame Street Live brings the favourite TV characters and a lot of musical fun in April.

The same month, Chris Rea showcases a new set of material, Irish funny fella Dara O'Briain is followed by Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert, English indie rockers Bombay Bicycle Club roll up and Professor Green takes the stage.

A treat for the whole family is guaranteed when Cirque Du Ciel bring their show ShangHi to round off April. The two-hour extravaganza combines acrobatics, modern dance, martial arts, original music and many other modern Chinese elements.

The season winds up in May with the cheeky WildBoyz.

Already the following season is looking good with The Voice Russell Watson, The Mouth Frankie Boyle and the camp Michael McIntyre among the stand-outs in the summer.

Meanwhile, punters can now print their tickets at home.

It's cheaper, more convenient and should help beat crime, Pavilions bosses say.

Every ticket now has a unique barcode that is scanned on entry to the arena.

That means tickets that have been reported lost or stolen can be deactivated. "We can also help promoters to minimise the touting of tickets at grossly inflated prices via internet auction sites," says Pavilions marketing officer Robert Maltby.

For further information you can pick up a brochure in person. Call 0845 146 1460 or go to plymouthpavilions.com.