Blackpool’s Grand Theatre presents a selection of New Year shows for 2018 from some of the greatest touring companies.

Looking for the perfect New Year show to see? Blackpool’s Grand Theatre offers a wide selection of touring productions to see, there’s something for everyone – from our younger audience through to grown-ups! Make it your resolution to treat a friend, colleague or loved ones to an exhilarating live theatre experience this 2018.

Giving the experience of theatre has never been easier with our  Grand Theatre Gift Vouchers (£20 and £10) available for use against any production…

So what New Shows are on offer for you your friends, family or work colleagues…

Well for our Younger audience why not treat them to English National Ballet School’s My First Ballet: Swan Lake which gives children a first taste of the magical world of ballet. Enjoy one of the most famous ballets of all time together, in this beautifully adapted new version for children aged three upwards.

The tale of an evil magician ‘Rothbart’ who has turned the beautiful princess Odette into a swan; only at night can she return to human form. Can Prince Siegfrie save her, or will he fall for Rothbart’s sorcery?

Alternatively, this New Year don’t let them miss Northern Ballet’s hugely popular Ugly Duckling. Retelling the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale or Peppa Pig and friends return in the brand new live show Peppa Pig’s Adventure! Full of games, laughter and live music!

For older children there’s an exciting new adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s family classic, The Jungle Book, comes to life in this colourful new show brought to you by the team behind Goodnight Mister Tom and Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild.

This unforgettable adventure is adapted by the Olivier Award-winning Jessica Swale (Nell Gwynn which recently played at The Grand), and directed by Max Webster (The Lorax, The Old Vic) and tells the story of Mowgli the man cub battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle. With the help of his animal friends, including Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan, and learns the law of the jungle.

This New Year holds many a production for musical lovers, but for something new The Grand presents the greatest rock songs ever written in 20^th Century Boy, it tells the life story of the legendary Bolan and his band T. Rex.

This hit musical, inspired by the life of rock legend Marc Bolan, returns to the stage to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic star’s untimely death. This show exposes some of the myths and takes the audience on a tearful yet feel-good journey through Marc’s fascinating life, cut short by a cruel twist of fate.

Featuring such classics as T.Rex 70s hits Ride a White Swan, Metal Guru, I Love to Boogie, 20th Century Boy and many more.

If you’re more of a Dusty Springfiled fan, then this New Year do we have a treat for you Son of A Preacher Man is the show to pick, directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood.

Three broken hearts, one Soho hang-out, and the only man who could ever help them…

Welcome to the Preacher Man, the swinging 1960s Soho joint where the kids danced the night away to the latest crazes and dared to dream of love, while the legendary owner, The Preacher Man himself, dispensed advice to cure the loneliest of hearts.

Featuring the great hits, including The Look Of Love, I Only Want To Be With You, Spooky and of course, the classic Son Of A Preacher Man, this sparklingly funny and sweetly touching new musical play by internationally-renowned writer Warner Brown will have them laughing, crying and singing their heart out to some of the greatest songs ever written.

For comedy lovers, the New Year is packed, and Jason Manford is back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason Manford since his last smash-hit stand up show but fans of his Absolute Radio show will know this nationally acclaimed comedian hasn’t changed a bit.

Jason Manford: Muddle Class promises to feature a wealth of new material about Jason growing up ‘working class’ then finding, over the years, that part of him has become ‘middle class’ – causing much confusion! Delivered with Jason’s amiable charm and captivating wit, this is a show not to be missed.

In addition to Manford this New Year, Milton Jones will be performing his brand-new show, putting his foot down and lifting the lid on the pedal bin of lies of the media. He will also be scaling the heights of fashion at the risk of falling into a terrible cravat.

Milton will be talking about his life so far – the ups, the downs and why buying his own see-saw was the best decision he ever made. But perhaps he should give all this up and seek the highest office in the land – but how do you get a desk and a swivel chair up a mountain? Oh and now he wants to be Prime Minister too. Can we do worse than the politicians we already have? Yes we can!

Milton Jones is regularly on Mock the Week (BBC2), has appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1), Live at the Apollo (BBC1) and he has headlined Dave’s One Night Stand.

Alternatively, OMG you guys!!! This New Year Legally Blonde The Musical is coming to Blackpool! Your friends would definitely love you for-EVER! with a gift like this! Or maybe you’re a Delta Nu?

The smash-hit Broadway and West End musical based on the best loved movie follows beautiful and popular sorority sister Elle Woods who loves to be pampered and is passionate about pink. When she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntingdon III for a more serious girlfriend she puts down the credit cards and picks up the books. Packing up her trusty pooch, Bruiser, she bags herself a place at the prestigious Harvard Law School to try and win him back. With the support of her new friends she learns that you can be both smart and fashionable!

The show stars Rita Simons, best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders for which she has won numerous awards and is one of Britain’s best loved actresses. Joining Simons is Lucie Jones, who represented the UK at Eurovision and recently starred as Maureen in the 20th Anniversary tour of Rent, and was a finalist in the 2009 series of the X Factor. Bill Ward also stars and is best known for playing James Barton in Emmerdale and Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street.

If your friends or family prefer a good drama we have that covered too in the New Year. We have a twisted tale of nerve-jangling horror, this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic thriller stars Phil Daniels as the extraordinary Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

During one of his audacious experiments trying to separate good from evil, the kind and gifted Dr Jekyll inadvertently unleashes an alternative personality of pure evil …the mysterious Mr Hyde.

Phil Daniels’ starred in Quadrophenia, Scum and EastEnders. He has worked with the RSC and National Theatre and has appeared on stage in productions as diverse as Les Misérables and This House. Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde has been adapted by Tony® award-winning playwright David Edgar.

One not to let any drama fan miss The Kite Runner, described as ‘the best page-to-stage since War Horse’. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel, this haunting tale of friendship which spans cultures and continents, follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption. Afghanistan is a divided country on the verge of war and two childhood friends are about to be torn apart.

For lovers of outstanding dance multi-award-winning Mark Bruce Company present a striking dance theatre adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Mark Bruce has choreographed, directed and danced internationally for over 25 years, working with Rosas, Bern Ballet, Ballet Black, Introdans, Igloo, Probe, and DJazzex among others.

The Observer said of their previous production Dracula “I’d be surprised if I saw a more entertaining piece of dance theatre this year. Kill for a ticket!”

A New Year contemporary classic English Touring Opera presents an energetic new production of one of the world’s most beloved operas, Mozart’s classic comedy The Marriage of Figaro (Sung in English with surtitles).

During the course of one eventful day, Figaro and Susanna must overcome every obstacle put in their way by Count Almaviva and his cronies before they can finally be united as man and wife. Blanche McIntyre (Tosca, 2017) returns to direct this most warm-hearted of operas, equally acclaimed for its sublime music and huge sense of fun.

Finally, Martin Dodd for UK Productions in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre presents a brand-new Spectacular Pantomime for all the family, Beauty and The Beast.

The story of Beauty and The Beast is a tale as old as time in a far-off land of two very different kingdoms.

In Beauty and The Beast, Belle is dreaming of a happier life but finds herself transported to a cursed castle. Held imprisoned by a hideous beast, the castle is full of magical characters placed under a spell by an evil enchantress.

Can Belle see beyond the beast and fall in love with her captor before the last petal falls from the enchanted rose? Will the Beast’s selfishness cost him the world he once knew and the hand of the girl who has melted his heart? Featuring sumptuous costumes, magnificent scenery and the unmissable and magical transformation moment, it’s a pantomime not to be missed.

You must admit The Grand’s got a stellar New Year! Surprise everyone this New Year with the experience and joy of live theatre. Happy New Year!

Don’t forget you can get Grand Theatre Vouchers as a gift, they’re easy to purchase and you can even email them to the recipient on a date you choose, how easier can we make it? Order them by visiting blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01253 290190.

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