Top shows Blackpool… In celebration of its 125^th Anniversary Blackpool’s Grand announced its full new season of shows.

The highlight must be Sir Ian Mckellen (20 May) – A total sell-out, the show sold out in less than 48 hours. Celebrating his own 80^th birthday Sir Ian said ‘Growing up in Wigan and Bolton, I was always intrigued by the glamour of Blackpool, its shows and Illuminations. So I wanted to present my new solo show at the beautiful Matcham Grand Theatre, raising funds for this spectacular building.  See you there!’

Great drama is always a highlight at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, this season a plethora of great variety can be enjoyed.

Top Shows Blackpool – Drama

The Daily Telegraph described it as ‘FRESH, FLEET, BLADE-SHARP’ – The Royal Shakespeare Company return to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre with Romeo & Juliet (26 Feb – 2 Mar), the most famous story of love at first sight explodes with intense passion and an irresistible desire for change. Will this spark a revolution or will division continue to tear through generations? Ripped apart by the bitter divisions of their parents, two young people will risk everything to be together.

The world premiere of a brand new farce Octopus Soup described as – Fawlty Towers meets The Sopranos – a razor-sharp new comedy starring Nick Hancock (star of West End hit An Evening with Gary Lineker and host of iconic TV shows Room 101 and They Think It’s All Over), with Paul Bradley (who played the much-loved character Nigel Bates in EastEnders and Elliot Hope in Holby City), Gillian Bevan, Carolyn Backhouse and Eric Richard, the formidable Desk Sergeant Bob Cryer in The Bill.

The Lady Vanishes (4 to 9 Mar), a new adaptation of the much-loved film – directed by Alfred Hitchcock starring Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave. A quick-witted and devilishly fun thriller, the 1939 classic film is ranked as one of the best British films of all time.

The stage play features Emmy award-winner Juliet Mills (Wild at Heart) and Maxwell Caulfield (Dynasty) are joined by Lorna Fitzgerald (Abi in EastEnders), Matt Barber (Atticus Aldridge in Downton Abbey), Robert Duncan (Drop The Dead Donkey), Philip Lowrie (Dennis Tanner in Coronation Street) and Ben Nealon (Solider Soldier).

Local legend, stage and TV favourite Jodie Prenger stars in Abigail’s Party (11 to 16 Mar). Alongsider her stars Emmerdale and Coronation Street Star Vicky Binns and Midsummer Murders’ Daniel Casey

Ian Kelsey leads in the powerful and best-selling courtroom thriller, The Verdict (9 to 13 Apr). This stunning courtroom thriller was made famous by the famous five times Oscar-nominated Sidney Lumet film with Paul Newman and James Mason

In celebration of the Blackpool Grand’s 125^th Birthday only one show could be considered for its anniversary week – the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre – Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap (22 to 27 Jul). Experience shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner – suspect EVERYONE!

The theatre is also excited to announce that in celebration of three spine-tingling decades of West End Theatre it will open the 2019 tour of Susan Hill’s The Woman In Black (11 to 14 Sep) – with huge acclaim The Daily Telegraph describes it as “The most brilliantly effective spine-chiller you will ever encounter”. This gripping production is a brilliantly successful study in atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror. “One of British theatre’s biggest – and scariest – hits” (The Guardian).

Top Shows Blackpool – Dance & Physical Theatre

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is specifically funded by Arts Council England to provide the local area with a variety of exceptional dance and physical theatre.

One of Europe’s most in demand dance companies James Wilton Dance, present The Storm (8 Feb), a whirlwind of lightning fast, super athletic movement, where acrobatics, break-dancing, martial arts and edge of the seat contact work fuse to form dance that will blow audiences away. This will be the second co-commission with Blackpool’s Grand.

Part of the Grand Theatre’s 125 year celebrations include an accessible approach to what they present, giving access to all and introducing art forms to non-theatregoers. This year there will be two ‘Pay What You Feel’ productions. This gives you a chance to see, enjoy, then pay what you feel the performance was worth. National Dance Company Wales presenting Awakening (27 Mar).

In the Willows (30 Apr to 4 May), epic show tunes and killer beats, the classic story is brought popping and locking into the twenty first century in an extraordinary new hip-hop musical. Featuring fast bikes, fierce moves and fabulous vocals.

Spymonkey – Cooped (11 to 14 Jun) – To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Spymonkey are offering Blackpool audiences an unmissable opportunity to catch this deliciously demented take on the pulp gothic romance – think Hitchcock’s Rebecca meets The Pink Panther.

Overflowing with brilliant characters, rip-roaring farce and virtuoso physical comedy, this is the show which made them an international comedy sensation, from Just For Laughs Montreal to Sydney Opera House.

A spooky mansion, a plucky young heroine and a handsome English aristocrat. Add a German butler and a Spanish soap star and you’re… COOPED with Spymonkey!

Top Shows Blackpool – Fantastic For Families

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre presents shows for all the family, this season is no exception, as a first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families is TV favourite Bing Live (2 to 3 Feb), Northern Ballet’s Puss In Boots (11 May), izzy whizzy let’s get busy with The Sooty Show (18 Feb), from the makers of Peppa Pig comes Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom (30 and 31 Mar), and the timeless classic that’s made its way from page to stage The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (12 to 14 Jul). Not forgetting now in its 10^th Year, In The Night Garden Live (7 and 8 Sept) is one of the UK’s favourite family events with over 1 million people seeing it so far!

Top Shows Blackpool – Entertainment

If you love dancing in the isle then Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is the place to be – with a line-up of the best entertainment currently touring the UK; Sing-a-long-a Greatest Showman (7 Feb), Beyond The Barricade (10 Feb), The Rolling Stones Story (17 Feb), Sunday Night at The Grand (10 Mar), The Solid Silver 60s Show (21 Mar), Showaddywaddy in Concert (22 Mar), Reach Out To Motown (23 Mar), Seven Drunken Nights (7 Apr), The Illegal Eagles (14 Apr), The Simon and Garfunkel Story (12 May), The Solid Gold Rock ‘n’ Roll Show (19 May), Anything For Love (26 May), The Summer of Love (2 Jun), Walk Right Back (21 Jun), and of course not forgetting the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club events (monthly).

Top Shows Blackpool – Community

Local talent is key to the theatres programming and this year we present The Sound of Music (17 to 20 Apr) by Ensemble Theatre, Hello Dolly! (24 to 27 Apr) by Blackpool Operatic Players and 42^nd Street (29 May to 1 Jun) by Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company.

In celebration of the building, the theatre will be holding special 125 Open Days where you can look around this iconic building of incredible architecture for free, guided tours are available at £4 (pre-booking advised). The theatre also offers Photographic opportunities with International Photographer Sean Conboy.

To find out more on our current season visit our What’s On at blackpoolgrand.co.uk, or call 01253 290190.

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre and Blackpool Transport Partner on brand new project – Destination Grand Theatre.

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre welcomes over 130,000 people a year through its doors. Over 20% of these theatre-goers use public transport – but Blackpool’s Grand in a working partnership with Blackpool Transport aim to encourage even more of its attendees to think about travelling on local public transport.

The Grand Theatre, in partnership with Blackpool Transport, today launches to its theatre-goers a highly-discounted return travel ticket (for adults and children) giving easy access and reduced cost.

Adults will be able to travel to and from the theatre for just £3 and Children at £1, saving over 40%. The travel ticket is simple to add on to theatre tickets when booking your show. In addition, the theatre offers a dedicated page blackpoolgrand.co.uk/destinationgrandtheatre where you can order weekly and monthly travel tickets direct to your phone App.

Using public transport has huge benefits to the community both economic and health and helps to reduce local road congestion.