Celebrating 125 years
Follow our Timeline celebrating 125 years of the incredible Grand Theatre. Our mission is to secure the theatre for the next generation. If you can, please help us with our Recovery Fund post COVID-19.
Donate TodayThe Story Begins
1837
Queen Victoria becomes Queen
1872
Parcels of land for sale on Church Street indicate that the site is ripe for development
1879
The Illuminations were first shown in 1879 when they were described as 'Artificial sunshine'. The first display, similar to the modern-day displays, was held in May 1912 to mark the first British Royal family visit to Blackpool, which was the first town in the world to have electric street lighting
1863
Opening of the new Blackpool Pier
1876
Alexander Bell invented the telephone and Primary Education was made compulsory
1885
Electric Tramway - The line dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It carried 5.2 million passengers in 2017/18
1887
The local impresario known as the 'People's Showman' Thomas Sergenson, purchased a row of old cottages and shops on the corner site
1888
After the opening of the Opera House, the 'Grand Project' was shelved and Sergenson built a make-shift circus to wow audiences
The Birth of an Icon
1891
Foundation stone for Blackpool’s new Tower is laid
1893
The Theatre was built in nine months at a cost of £20,000. It has been said that any problem can be solved with Matcham’s confidence and a riot of fibrous plasterwork.
Architect Frank Matcham commissioned to design Blackpool’s Grand Theatre
1894
The theatre opened with a production of Hamlet, Wilson Barrett in the starring role. The Theatre was hailed as Matcham’s Masterpiece
Built 1894
Architect, Frank Matcham
1897
Guglielmo Marconi awarded Radio Communication Patent
1901
Sergenson buys out his investors and becomes sole owner of Blackpool's Grand
1902
Winston Churchill held a lecture at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre before becoming Prime Minister (1940-45)
So This Is Show Business
1901
Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII
1912
'Titanic' sinks with the loss of 1,503 lives
1910
Edward VII dies and is succeeded by George V
1910
The Grand Theatre foyer housed a fernery grotto
1914 - 1918
World War I
1909
Blackpool’s Grand is sold to The Tower Co. (23 Dec) for £47,500
1905
Sarah Bernhardt performed in Pellea set Melisande for just one afternoon known as a Flying Matinee
1923
Jack Buchanan visited The Grand 10 times spanning five decades. He was a song and dance man who also appeared in light comedy
1927
British Broadcasting Corporation is created
1926
Thomas Sergenson Died (Apr) in Kenilworth, Warwickshire
1932
Animated tableaux were erected running along Blackpool's promenade from the cliffs at North Shore to Bispham, and the Illuminations were extended to its current length running from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road at Bispham
1939 - 1945
World War II
1939
This was Sir John Gielgud’s first visit to The Grand in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde directing a cast of star players. He returned in 1941 with Dear Brutus
1942
Noel Coward toured three shows in his ‘Play Parade’ Present Laughter and This Happy Breed were World War Premiers and Blithe Spirit was a current West End success
1953
Arthur Askey in The Love Match reflects the popularity of northern comedy which played to packed houses every summer for two decades
1948
Introduction of the NHS
1953
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Blackpool street celebration of Queen Elizabeth II Coronation
1963
Jimmy Clitheroe in We’re Frying Tonight
1959
Hollywood film star Jane Mansfield switched on the world famous Blackpool illuminations for the Trades Union congress
1958
The first Motorway, the M6 Preston bypass, opens
1963
Margaret Lockwood with a star-studded cast presented an Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. This was a rare gem amid a decade of declining audiences and winter closures
1969
Concorde, makes it maiden flight
The Epic Struggle
1971
Decimalised currency replaces 'pounds, shillings and pence' (15 Feb)
1972
Grade II listed building status achieved by Jeffrey Finestone. Closure by current owners EMI Company Notice of proposed demolition
1974
Public outcry as Blackpool’s Grand remained closed
1972
Public enquiry held at the Town Hall to decide theatre’s fate. Peter Boydell QC. fought the case on behalf of the Friends of The Grand and the Theatre was saved
1976
The Theatres Trust a National Advisory Public Body for Theatres in the UK. Founded in 1976 by an Act of Parliament to "promote the better protection of theatres for the benefit of the nation"
1977
£250,000 refurbishment by EMI prior to opening the Grand as a Bingo Hall.
The Grand Theatre Trust Company was formed, as a charity, from the original ‘Friends of The Grand’
Royal Gala
1979
Blackpool’s Carter Street closed off for M&S build - re-christened Matcham Court
1978
The whole town was involved in fundraising to reach the purchase price of £350,000. Owing to the lack of support for Bingo the theatre was acquired in 1980 for £250,000
1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first female prime minister
1981
The Grand re-opened with the Old Vic Company Tour of A Merchant of Venice starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales. There follows the ultimate honour of a Royal Gala in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. However, much work needed to be done to the aging building
1981
Sir Edward Richard George Heath KG MBE, Conservative Conference (19 Oct) delivering a speech from Blackpool Grand’s stage. Heath remained in Parliament until 2001, becoming Father of the House, the title given to the Commons’ longest-serving MP
1982
Falklands War
1983
First visit of the National Theatre with Hiawatha and the theatre was upgraded to a Grade II* status
1984
12-month 'Miners Strike' over pit closures begins
1986
Space shuttle 'Challenger' explodes (28 Jan)
1988
A 5-year programme of refurbishment involving stonework, copper dome, windows, re-seating and carpeting. The biggest addition to theatre’s portfolio was the building of a Studio Theatre
1994
Arts Council England is formed a non-departmental public body of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
1989
Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web
The Centenary
1994
A Centenary Appeal was launched to raise money to re-instate a Victorian style canopy in place of the 1950s design. This was in place for the visit of HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip
2001
Terrorist attack on World Trade Center
2001
The Glorious Grand Appeal was planned in two phases. The First Stage was to restore The Grand to its pristine 19th Century condition with extensive work to the artwork, plasterwork and domed ceiling. Phase II now known as the Sam Lee Appeal commenced in 2004 with an emphasis on improving public facilities
1997
Princess of Wales dies
1994
Wrought iron and glass canopy erected at rear of Blackpool’s Grand in Matcham Court
2002
January 18, A Gala Celebration with Carl Rosa Opera Co. with ‘The Mikado’ unveiled the restoration work
Reach for the stars
2006
Blackpool’s Grand named as Equity’s National Theatre of Variety
2004
A group of friends at college created a new social online community. Now, Facebook is one of the most influential social networks in the world, with 2.2 billion monthly users
2007
iPhone (first generation) was born, the device that would change the world (29 Jun)
2008
Election of Barack Obama
2012
Blackpool Grand became an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation. Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has set the standard for heritage theatres and has been featured in the ACE environment report, Sustaining Great Art
2009
The purchase of 43/45 Church Street gave the theatre a flow through the building at all levels as well as providing open plan office space meeting rooms improved box office facilities and improved wheelchair access and chair lift
2016
The Friends of The Grand purchased the shops which were not included in the first 1980 purchase from EMI and returned the theatre back to Matcham’s original footprint
2018
Blackpool’s Grand becomes Arts Council England Sustainability Champion for touring arts
2016
Election of Donald Trump
2019
The Grand Theatre Blackpool celebrates it’s 125th Anniversary (23 Jul)
Celebrating 125 years
Follow our Timeline celebrating 125 years of the incredible Grand Theatre. Our mission is to secure the theatre for the next generation. If you can, please help us with our Recovery Fund post COVID-19.
Donate TodayThe Story Begins
1837
Queen Victoria becomes Queen
1863
Opening of the new Blackpool Pier
1872
Parcels of land for sale on Church Street indicate that the site is ripe for development
1876
Alexander Bell invented the telephone and Primary Education was made compulsory
1879
The Illuminations were first shown in 1879 when they were described as 'Artificial sunshine'. The first display, similar to the modern-day displays, was held in May 1912 to mark the first British Royal family visit to Blackpool, which was the first town in the world to have electric street lighting
1885
Electric Tramway - The line dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It carried 5.2 million passengers in 2017/18
1887
The local impresario known as the 'People's Showman' Thomas Sergenson, purchased a row of old cottages and shops on the corner site
1888
After the opening of the Opera House, the 'Grand Project' was shelved and Sergenson built a make-shift circus to wow audiences
The Birth of an Icon
1891
Foundation stone for Blackpool’s new Tower is laid
1893
The Theatre was built in nine months at a cost of £20,000. It has been said that any problem can be solved with Matcham’s confidence and a riot of fibrous plasterwork.
Architect Frank Matcham commissioned to design Blackpool’s Grand Theatre
1894
The theatre opened with a production of Hamlet, Wilson Barrett in the starring role. The Theatre was hailed as Matcham’s Masterpiece
Built 1894
Architect, Frank Matcham
1897
Guglielmo Marconi awarded Radio Communication Patent
1901
Sergenson buys out his investors and becomes sole owner of Blackpool's Grand
1901
Victoria dies and is succeeded by Edward VII
1902
Winston Churchill held a lecture at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre before becoming Prime Minister (1940-45)
So This Is Show Business
1905
Sarah Bernhardt performed in Pellea set Melisande for just one afternoon known as a Flying Matinee
1909
Blackpool’s Grand is sold to The Tower Co. (23 Dec) for £47,500
1910
The Grand Theatre foyer housed a fernery grotto
1910
Edward VII dies and is succeeded by George V
1912
'Titanic' sinks with the loss of 1,503 lives
1914 - 1918
World War I
1923
Jack Buchanan visited The Grand 10 times spanning five decades. He was a song and dance man who also appeared in light comedy
1926
Thomas Sergenson Died (Apr) in Kenilworth, Warwickshire
1927
British Broadcasting Corporation is created
1932
Animated tableaux were erected running along Blackpool's promenade from the cliffs at North Shore to Bispham, and the Illuminations were extended to its current length running from Starr Gate to Red Bank Road at Bispham
1939
This was Sir John Gielgud’s first visit to The Grand in The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde directing a cast of star players. He returned in 1941 with Dear Brutus
1939 - 1945
World War II
1942
Noel Coward toured three shows in his ‘Play Parade’ Present Laughter and This Happy Breed were World War Premiers and Blithe Spirit was a current West End success
1948
Introduction of the NHS
1953
Arthur Askey in The Love Match reflects the popularity of northern comedy which played to packed houses every summer for two decades
1953
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
1958
The first Motorway, the M6 Preston bypass, opens
1959
Hollywood film star Jane Mansfield switched on the world famous Blackpool illuminations for the Trades Union congress
1963
Jimmy Clitheroe in We’re Frying Tonight
1963
Margaret Lockwood with a star-studded cast presented an Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde. This was a rare gem amid a decade of declining audiences and winter closures
1969
Concorde, makes it maiden flight
1971
Decimalised currency replaces 'pounds, shillings and pence' (15 Feb)
The Epic Struggle
1972
Grade II listed building status achieved by Jeffrey Finestone. Closure by current owners EMI Company Notice of proposed demolition
1972
Public enquiry held at the Town Hall to decide theatre’s fate. Peter Boydell QC. fought the case on behalf of the Friends of The Grand and the Theatre was saved
1974
Public outcry as Blackpool’s Grand remained closed
1976
The Theatres Trust a National Advisory Public Body for Theatres in the UK. Founded in 1976 by an Act of Parliament to "promote the better protection of theatres for the benefit of the nation"
1977
£250,000 refurbishment by EMI prior to opening the Grand as a Bingo Hall.
The Grand Theatre Trust Company was formed, as a charity, from the original ‘Friends of The Grand’
1978
The whole town was involved in fundraising to reach the purchase price of £350,000. Owing to the lack of support for Bingo the theatre was acquired in 1980 for £250,000
1979
Blackpool’s Carter Street closed off for M&S build - re-christened Matcham Court
1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes Britain's first female prime minister
Royal Gala
1981
The Grand re-opened with the Old Vic Company Tour of A Merchant of Venice starring Timothy West and Prunella Scales. There follows the ultimate honour of a Royal Gala in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. However, much work needed to be done to the aging building
1981
Sir Edward Richard George Heath KG MBE, Conservative Conference (19 Oct) delivering a speech from Blackpool Grand’s stage. Heath remained in Parliament until 2001, becoming Father of the House, the title given to the Commons’ longest-serving MP
1982
Falklands War
1983
First visit of the National Theatre with Hiawatha and the theatre was upgraded to a Grade II* status
1984
12-month 'Miners Strike' over pit closures begins
1986
Space shuttle 'Challenger' explodes (28 Jan)
1988
A 5-year programme of refurbishment involving stonework, copper dome, windows, re-seating and carpeting. The biggest addition to theatre’s portfolio was the building of a Studio Theatre
1989
Tim Berners-Lee invents the World Wide Web
1994
Arts Council England is formed a non-departmental public body of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
The Centenary
1994
A Centenary Appeal was launched to raise money to re-instate a Victorian style canopy in place of the 1950s design. This was in place for the visit of HM The Queen and HRH Prince Philip
1994
Wrought iron and glass canopy erected at rear of Blackpool’s Grand in Matcham Court
1997
Princess of Wales dies
2001
Terrorist attack on World Trade Center
2001
The Glorious Grand Appeal was planned in two phases. The First Stage was to restore The Grand to its pristine 19th Century condition with extensive work to the artwork, plasterwork and domed ceiling. Phase II now known as the Sam Lee Appeal commenced in 2004 with an emphasis on improving public facilities
Reach for the stars
2002
January 18, A Gala Celebration with Carl Rosa Opera Co. with ‘The Mikado’ unveiled the restoration work
2004
A group of friends at college created a new social online community. Now, Facebook is one of the most influential social networks in the world, with 2.2 billion monthly users
2006
Blackpool’s Grand named as Equity’s National Theatre of Variety
2007
iPhone (first generation) was born, the device that would change the world (29 Jun)
2008
Election of Barack Obama
2009
The purchase of 43/45 Church Street gave the theatre a flow through the building at all levels as well as providing open plan office space meeting rooms improved box office facilities and improved wheelchair access and chair lift
2012
Blackpool Grand became an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation. Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has set the standard for heritage theatres and has been featured in the ACE environment report, Sustaining Great Art
2016
The Friends of The Grand purchased the shops which were not included in the first 1980 purchase from EMI and returned the theatre back to Matcham’s original footprint
2016
Election of Donald Trump
2018
Blackpool’s Grand becomes Arts Council England Sustainability Champion for touring arts
2019
The Grand Theatre Blackpool celebrates it’s 125th Anniversary (23 Jul)
Celebrating 125 years
Follow our Timeline celebrating 125 years of the incredible Grand Theatre. Our mission is to secure the theatre for the next generation. If you can, please help us with our Recovery Fund post COVID-19.
Donate Today
