The Grand Theatre, Blackpool announces an exciting new programme of shows for 2016/17. With an incredible line-up of drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy–there’s something for everyone to enjoy at The Grand!

Grand Theatre Chief Executive Ruth Eastwood said,

“At the Grand Theatre we always strive to offer our audiences the best quality and variety of arts and entertainment, with productions as diverse as Ellen Kent’s Aida, Stickman and the Royal Shakespeare Company’s The Tempest, we hope that everyone will be able to find something that appeals to them in our autumn 2016 programme.”

After a huge success with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The RSC will be returning to Blackpool in 2017 with The Tempest. As part of their First Encounters with Shakespeare for Younger Audiences programme,  this new production from the RSC is an ideal first experience of Shakespeare for anyone aged 8 and above. Using Shakespeare’s original language, this edited version last 90 minutes and includes a fully interactive introduction to the world of the play.

If it’s drama you’re after you won’t be disappointed! Talking Scarlet (Dial M For Murder, Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Murders) will return with their latest thriller adapted from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novella, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Prepare for the fright of your life in a dramatic new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic and atmospheric Gothic melodrama Jekyll and Hyde.

For those who enjoy a murder mystery, you’ll be spoilt for choice. This autumn, Talking Scarlet will present two gripping thrillers: A Party to Murder, where secret passageways, incriminating letters, and a twenty five year old unsolved mystery twist and turn toward the unexpected and terrifying conclusion and Who Killed Santa Claus not so much a ‘whodunnit’ but more a ‘who’s going to do it’, starring Kim Tiddy (The Bill, Hollyoaks) and Freya Copeland (Emmerdale).

Halloween sees the return of  Bill Kenwright LTD presenting Rehearsal for Murder starring screen heart-throb Gary Mavers (Peak Practice, Casualty Emmerdale), Alex Ferns (EastEnders), Susie Amy (Footballers’ Wives), Anita Harris, (Carry On franchise) and Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier.)

Following the incredible success of Of Mice and Men, Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Royal & Derngate Northampton return in October with Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities. This powerful drama is adapted by Mike Poulton who reworked Wolf Hall for the RSC and is directed by James Dacre, and will be performed alongside a moving score by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman.

Graham Greene’s novel Travels With My Aunt will be brought to life by Creative Cow in September. Giles Havergal’s adaptation will see four actors will take on over 20 characters in this funny and frantic dash around the world with Henry Pulling, a retired suburban bank manager with a penchant for dahlias.

Award-winning comedy duo LipService explore the world of women writers, scribbling in secret or under pseudonyms, squeezing in their writing amongst the hustle and bustle of taking tea in Mr Darcy Loses the Plot.

With comedy drama, Nobody’s Perfect starring Stephen Beckett (The Bill, Coronation Street) and Leah Bracknell (Emmerdale), completing the line-up of great drama, there really is something for everyone at The Grand!

With all this quality drama, why not treat yourself to a drama link ticket and catch 2 of our great shows (subject to availability) for just £34 or 3 for £45?

There is also a great line up of musicals in The Grand’s brilliant new autumn season.

Walk Like a Man takes you back in time on a musical journey through the incredible career of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Produced by ex-West End Jersey Boy himself Mark Halliday, featuring classics such as Sherry, Let’s Hang On, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, My Eyes Adored You, December 63 (Oh What A Night), Bye Bye Baby, Who Loves You and many, many more, Walk Like A Man promises to deliver a show full of energy and nostalgia which always leaves audiences wanting more.

The charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical sci-fi spoof Little Shop of Horrors is presented by Sell a Door Theatre Company (Avenue Q) this November. Seymour Krelborn, the assistant at Mushnik’s Flower Shop in downtrodden Skid Row, becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers a strange and exotic plant. He names it Audrey Two in order to impress glamorous Audrey, the colleague he’s secretly in love with. But how far will Seymour go for the woman of his dreams? With music by the legendary Alan Menken, best known for his numerous Walt Disney™ film scores, Little Shop of Horrors is a cult film and one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time.

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story tells the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22. In 18 short months the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen. Boasting a phenomenally multi-talented cast, together they present two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.

Lovers of The Grand’s dance programme, funded by The Arts Council England, will also be delighted by the new season. Award winning choreographer James Wilton returns to The Grand with Levaithan. Featuring a cast of 7, Wilton’s trademark blend of athletic dance and martial arts, Leviathan will have you on the edge of your seat. It will leave you gasping for air under the sheer ferocity of movement, all accompanied by a powerful electro-rock soundtrack by Lunatic Soul.

Internationally renowned dance company Phoenix Dance Theatre will present A Triple Bill at The Grand this November. Dutch/Israeli choreographer Itzik Galili will present his piece Until.With/Out.Enough, Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Sharon Watson’s piece, audience favourite, Melt is presented second and finally, the quirky and playful Bloom by award-winning choreographer Caroline Finn.

Ballet lovers will be happy to know leading ballet company The Russian State Ballet of Siberia will be returning to The Grand in 2017 with The Nutcracker, Coppelia and Swan Lake. With breath-taking physical ability and dazzling costumes, each of the three ballets will be performed with a full company of dancers and highly skilled musicians.

Autumn 16 also sees the return of renowned Opera & Ballet International with the grandest of all Ellen Kent’s operas AIDA. This tragic story of war, jealousy and revenge at whose heart is the doomed love of the beautiful love of Ethiopian slave girl Aida, and the Egyptian hero Radames, is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote.

The Russian State Opera & Ballet International will perform on The Grand’s stage for the first time this autumn with Bizet’s Carmen. Feel the thrill and passion of love and jealousy in this nail-biting production that tells the story of the downfall of Don José, a naïve soldier who is seduced by Carmen, free-spirited femme fatale. José abandons his childhood sweetheart and deserts from his military duties, yet loses Carmen’s love to the glamorous toreador Escamillo.

For those who like to bring the whole family, there is also a whole host of great children’s shows.

Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely popular children’s book Stick Man starts the season for families. Touching, funny and utterly original, this award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

Wildlife TV Presenter, adventurer, naturalist and children’s author, Steve Backshall, takes us on a tour of the real life expeditions this November. It’s a wild journey, illustrated with photos and films from the Arctic to the Antarctic, from the tundra to the top of the world’s highest peaks, and from the depths of the rainforest to the bottom of the ocean.

BAFTA award-winning television animation Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom will be live on stage in February 2017! Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting, enchanting and magical musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter. This beautiful story of elves, princesses and childhood innocence will delight all the family!

Don’t miss out on this year’s magical pantomime Aladdin! Children and parents can follow all 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 fabulous 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.

There is also a great selection of exciting celebration acts to enjoy this season including Bowie Experience, You Win Again: The Story of the Bee Gees and ELO Again as well as popular entertainment shows Psychic Sally: Call Me Psychic and Puppetry of the Penis.

The Grand will host an amazing collection of one-night entertainment shows, including top class comedians Omid Djalili and Ken Dodd.

The programme of shows for TheSTUDIO, supported by LeftCoast, consists of a monthly Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club with some of the best up-and-coming comedians, the comic and thought-provoking Tuesday at Tesco’s, Tony’s Last Tape featuring Phillip Bretherton, Rhum and Clay’s 64 Squares complete with a live jazz percussive score and London’s award winning LGBT literary salon Polari.

For more information about The Grand’s New Season 2016 or to book for any show

Call Box Office on 01253 74 33 39 or visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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