RECORD-BREAKING SALES YEAR AFTER YEAR!

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre and UK Productions are delighted to announce that this years Christmas pantomime ALADDIN is once again set to break records!

Blackpool lad and BAFTA-winning CITV presenter Barney Harwood will star as Aladdin, the cheeky hero who sets off on a quest to win the heart of the beautiful Princess and retrieve a mysterious lamp.

Starring alongside Harwood will be TV soap regular Mark Moraghan (Holby City, Coronation Street) who will don the cloak as evil villain Abanazar.

Moraghan and Harwood head a cast of favourites including BBC Radio Lancashire and Grand panto legend Steve Royle as Wishee Washee and Radio Wave’s Hayley Kay, who returns for 2016 as the Slave of the Ring. Steve’s appearance will make this his fourteenth year on stage in the Grand Christmas panto! Playing alongside them will be the hilarious Philip Meeks as Widow Twankey and comedy magician Mark James as PC Pong.

This will be the tenth year that The Grand has broken previous year’s sales and they show no sign of stopping – this year’s been more popular than ever with a stellar line-up! The Grand is recognised locally and regionally for its high quality pantomime productions and has broken its own record in ticket sales every year, and this year looks set to be no exception.

Attendance of Pantomime at The Grand has seen the audience grow by more than 25% over the past eight years. With record sales and attendance growth The Grand has agreed with UK Productions Producer, Martin Dodd, to extend next year’s Panto season by a week! That’s seven more performances, with three of those specifically timed for schools!

People are already asking what we have planned for next year… We can exclusively announce that The Grand’s Panto for 2017/18 is CINDERELLA and will run from 5 December 2017 to 7 January 2018! Tickets go on sale on Friday 9 December at 10am. 

Andrew Howard, Marketing Manager for The Grand said,

“We work all year round on promoting our pantomime. The moment we open this years, next year’s goes on sale due to the demand!

The Grand marketing team work hard on our pantomime and full programme with local businesses including; Starbucks, HMV, Waterstones, Houndshill Shopping Centre and local restaurants Las Iguanas, Nando’s, Pizza Express and Bella Italia. One of our biggest supporters are the local taxi companies, they are amazing at spreading the word in the town, and this wouldn’t be possible without the help of Bill Lewtas (Secretary) of The Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association (BLTOA) who not only promote the pantomime but are great ambassadors for the theatre as a whole.

The Grand and its Pantomime is a true Christmas tradition, bringing in valuable income to the theatre, and local businesses. It’s vital that we all work together offering great value packages to the town, and help promote local economy.’

Martin Dodd, Producer UK Productions said,

“I am thrilled that we are once again heading for a record year, I don’t know where we keep putting all of the extra people, I think they should rename the theatre Blackpool’s Narnia…but tickets are still available!

We strive to make the show bigger and better every year and I think this proves that the audiences really appreciate it, and it is a great testament to the dedication of the cast, production crew and theatre staff.

We are also delighted that we will next year, due to demand, be extending the number of performances – giving greater availability.”

Children and parents will follow the action as Aladdin battles against Abanazer’s dark magic in this feel-good fantasy tale. Jam-packed with hit songs, hilarious dance routines, and another rollicking good script, this story of love, bravery and a magic lamp containing a certain special genie is the perfect way to experience the traditional magic of Christmas.

Will Aladdin and the princess ever find true love? Will the Princess tell her father of Abanazar’s evil plot? And, more importantly, will Widow Twankey ever get her washing done? Answers to all these and more await in the spectacular pantomime of the season – Aladdin – at Blackpool Grand Theatre!

Blackpool audiences are guaranteed another year of spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and side-splitting comedy.

Aladdin plays at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday 9 December 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017. Tickets are available from blackpoolgrand.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01253 290190.

ALADDIN
Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Friday 9 December 2016 to Sunday 8 January 2017
Show times vary, visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/event/Aladdin

Audio Described and BSL Sign Interpreted performance – Sat 17 Dec 2016 (2pm)

Running Time approx. 2hrs 20mins including interval (first few performances may be longer)