NEW SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT – Blackpool’s Grand Comes Alive From Award-Winning Dance To A Multi-Sensory Trip Of Terror!

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre launches its brand-new Summer / Autumn 2018 Season.

This year’s theme is Come Alive.  The Grand aims to engage and encourage the residents of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre to get involved theatre: be it a show, workshop, outdoor event, giving us your time by volunteering, or making a small donation when booking your tickets. Every ticket, £1 donation, or minute you volunteer matters, and we value it!

Ruth Eastwood, Grand Theatre Chief Executive, said; ‘We’re proud to be a local resource, part of the great tapestry of art and entertainment on offer in the town; helping all sorts of people discover, enjoy and learn through theatre. But we couldn’t do it without you.’

This year’s season highlights include the Christmas spectacular pantomime Beauty and The Beast, headlined by EastEnders NTA Award Winner and Benidorm star Danny Walters. Joining Walters is Grand Theatre favourite Steve Royle (BBC Radio Lancashire), returning Radio Presenter Hayley Kay and this year’s Dame, Nick Wilton.

The summer offer sees the return of ABBA Mania.  Following the recent announcement of ABBA’s reunion, and a new sequel film Mama Mia – Here We Go Again! featuring Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Julie Walters and new addition Cher on the way – ABBA reaches fever pitch! It’s now your chance to ‘thank them for the music’ and dance in the aisles! Enjoy all your favourites including; Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen, Winner Takes It All, Super Trouper and many more.

In addition, this summer we’re offering; Walk Like A Man which walks you through a musical journey of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Plus, there’s The Magic of Motown – Celebrating the sound of a generation such as; Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Isley Brothers, Lionel Richie, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Smokey Robinson and more, sensationally recreated by an exceptionally talented cast and band.

Dance and physical theatre, always a strong element of Blackpool Grand’s programme, sees the return of award-winning Hip Hop Dance Company, Boy Blue Entertainment, with their brand-new production, Blak Whyte Gray.  Fuelled by an emotional energy, this triple bill pairs the concentrated physicality of hip-hop dance styles with the rhythmical groove of music and moves evoking Africa.

We also welcome Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendon Cole and his show All Night Long, Ballet Theatre UK’s Beauty and The Beast, the return on the Russian State Ballet of Siberia with Cinderella, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker and, finally, one of Europe’s most in demand dance company, James Wilton Dance, with their new production The Storm, a whirl wind of lightning-fast, super-athletic movement, where acrobatics, break-dancing, martial arts and edge of the seat work form dance that will blow the audience away!

In last season’s announcement Chief Executive Ruth Eastwood emphasised the importance of partnerships locally, regionally and nationally and, with this in mind, it’s an honour that one of our longest lasting partners, Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company, will present ‘the most fantasmagorical musical in the history of everything!’ Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – just ‘Toot Sweet’!  What a coup for them and what a pleasure for us.

Drama this season should have the people of the Fylde Coast trembling as the theatre presents Bram Stoker’s nightmare horror story, Dracula. This brand-new stage adaptation is brought to life in a contemporary interpretation that carries a WARNING – a live multi-sensory trip of terror!

And the Drama doesn’t stop there: Charlotte Keatley’s My Mother Said I Never Should and the return of The Royal Shakespeare Company’s new touring production Romeo and Juliet – the most famous love story of all time.

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has had a passion for bringing some of the best touring artists, this season includes the return of The Lancashire Hotpots with their new show Sing-along-a Knees Up Jamboree, the Pasadena Roof Orchestra – Puttin’ On The Ritz!, A Country Night In Nashville, Dad’s Army Radio Hour – based on the classic BBC sitcom by Jimmy Perry and David Croft – two actors play an incredible 25 characters in this brilliant staging of classic radio scripts based on favourite episodes from the original series.

You Win Again, celebrating the music of the Bee Gees, Maximum Rhythm and Blues, Steve Steinman’s Meat Loaf Story and Vampires Rock (featuring XFactor’s Sam Bailey), The Whitney Houston Show featuring the breath-taking vocals of Belinda Davids, as well as Buddy Holly and The Cricketers, Quadrophenia The Album Live, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, The Elvis Years, Beyond The Barricade, The Rolling Stones Story, and The Illegal Eagles.

The renowned Sing-a-Long-a group are back with the biggest show in their repertoire Sing-a-Ling-a Rocky Horror Picture Show – A guaranteed sell-out show, racy and naughty in nature it’s one to book early for! The screening of the iconic film with a fabulous host and of course the obligatory sing-a-longa. Of course, dressing to impress is expected!

A laugh, a laugh, it’s got to be only the best at Blackpool’s Grand; this season’s TV icons include; Jon Richardson, Dave Spikey, and acclaimed television and Grand Theatre regular Jason Manford.

The Grand continues to grow its children and young people’s programme, as well as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, local company Ensemble Theatre present the timeless classic Charles Dickens’ Oliver!, the first ever theatre showing of Teletubbies Live and Bing Live, Royal Shakespeare Companies First Encounters: The Comedy of Errors, Stick Man, and the biggest Christmas show Blackpool has to offer, Beauty and The Beast.

Finally, for a family tradition, why not attend the Grand Christmas Concert featuring Poulton Brass Band – It’s a magical time!

Ruth Eastwood finished by saying ‘Since we launched our charity campaign #PlayYourPart last year, thousands of you have generously donated funds to support our community and education work. Thank you.

‘And now, there’s something new – Amazon Smile. Amazon – yes, the website – has decided to donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible goods to charity when you buy them through AmazonSmile.

‘It’s the same as the Amazon you know and love… same products, same prices, same service… just with the bonus of the feel-good-factor that helping others brings. You choose the charity of your choice and, of course, we’re hoping you’ll choose us! Find out more by visiting Smile.Amazon.co.uk the next time you’re shopping online. It won’t cost you a penny… and it all adds up.’

We look forward to seeing you soon…

Blackpool’s Grand Comes Alive and to book any of the shows mentioned, you can visit our What’s On page by clicking here, or feel free to call our Box Office on 01253 290190.