Creating Great Drama – ITV’s hot new drama STRANGERS has hit our TV screens to huge anticipation. The eight-part series has been written by two newcomers, Mark Denton and Johnny Stockwood, and is produced by Two Brothers Pictures – award-winning duo Harry and Jack Williams, whose credits include The Missing, Fleabag and One of Us.

Few people know lead actor John Simm attended Blackpool and the Fylde College and performed at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre.

STRANGERS? We think not! Simm said “As a young actor attending College in Blackpool, I appeared in three productions at The Blackpool Grand Theatre, it was the first theatre stage I ever appeared on, and because of that wonderful old place I have been in love with theatre ever since.”

Every year Blackpool’s Grand Theatre encourages thousands of young people to take part with its programme of arts activities and is committed to developing both the performers and theatre-goers of the future.

The Grand Theatre’s mission is to be the theatre of choice for the people of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and to offer opportunities to enjoy, participate and learn through the arts.

Last year more than 10,000 school children visited The Grand to see a show and a further 3,500 participated in other activities – workshops, classes, talks and tours.

Creating Great Drama

Grand Theatre Chief Executive, Ruth Eastwood announced this week that after three successful years of working with young actors from Blackpool, The Grand Young Company are taking to the stage again. The Grand will be holding open workshops for Young People (14-19) to be part of its The Grand Young Company 2018/19 (GYC).

Eastwood, said ‘An Incredible number of students have studied Performing Arts in partnerships with The Grand and go on to do incredible things like John Simm and Jenna-Louise Coleman who warmed the public hearts in her portrayal of Queen Victoria, Doctor Who and most recently in BBC hit, The Cry.

‘We don’t just put shows on our stage, we work in schools, community centres and even parks across the Fylde Coast to introduce young people to the power and pleasure of making theatre part of their lives.’

The 2018/19 Grand Young Company participants will be working on a very special production which will be linked to the National Theatre (NT) Connections programme.

Each year the National Theatre commissions ten new plays for young people to perform, bringing together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow. Every year 250 youth theatres and schools stage ten fantastic plays commissioned by the National Theatre.

If you would like to know more about last year’s project here is a video on last year’s Grand Young Company Production Zero For The Young Dudes.

Creating Great Drama -read one of last year’s participants said experiences https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/national-theatre-connections-experience/.

Main Image: © Blackpool Grand Theatre | Previous GYC Members.