Blackpool’s iconic Grand Theatre celebrates 125 years this year, the theatre was opened in 1894 by Thomas Sergenson, Blackpool’s first successful theatrical manager.
Culture hot spot Blackpool Grand celebrates 2020
Blackpool’s Grand still hosts Britain’s most amazing companies and is a Cultural asset within the town. The Theatre has presented and continues to present such companies as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, the theatre continues to present a diverse programme which includes companies like Lost Dog, Hofesh Schechter, Boy Blue and Matthew Bourne.
Household names that have stood on the ‘Grand’ stage including; Peter Kay, Dame Barbara Windsor DBE, Michael McIntyre, Jason Manford, Des O’Connor CBE, Derren Brown, Sir Roger Moore KBE, Su Pollard, Pauline Quirke, Jimmy Tarbuck, Julian Clarey, Sooty, Lesley Joseph, Danny Miller, Dawn French, Alan Carr, Gary Lucy, Ricky Tomlinson, Rufus Hound, Sir Ken Dodd OBE, Olly Murs, Jimmy Osmond, Elkie Brookes and the Hairy Bikers.
Being a founder member of Culture Blackpool, our programming on a mix of incredible Dance and Drama, in addition of a great selection of entertainment.
2020 is a year that is #DaringlyDifferent for Blackpool Grand – From Willy Russell’s iconic Educating Rita to the internationally renowned BalletBoyz, Blackpool Grand present some of the most incredible touring productions around.
Find out more information on the theatre’s accessible information here.
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Here’s a selection of some of this year’s highlights:
Drama
Willy Russell presents the iconic Educating Rita starring Stephen Thompkinson, this hilarious and heat-warming comedy won the Olivier Award when it was produced in London’s West End by the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and was adapted into the multi award-winning film which stared Julie Walters and Michael Caine.
The RSC return with their first ever Shakespeare triple-bill at the venue which includes; Measure for Measure, As You Like It, and Taming of The Shrew. An incredible accessible deal is on off allowing you to see two of the shows for just £45 in the evening, or £34 in the afternoon.
Bill Kenwright presents The Cat and The Canary stars Britt Ekland (The Man with the Golden Gun, The Wicker Man), Mark Jordon (Heartbeat, Emmerdale), Tracy Shaw (Coronation Street), Marti Webb (Evita, Tell Me on a Sunday), Gary Webster (Minder), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier), Nikki Patel (Coronation Street) and Eric Carte (Bouquet of Barbed Wire). Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather at a remote mansion to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels. When the heir is revealed, the heritage hunters turn into prey and a chain of macabre events is set in motion.
Discover more Drama productions at Blackpool Grand.
Comedy
The start of 2020 includes stand-up from some of the greatest names in comedy; Count Arthur Strong, Jack Dee, Julian Clary and his new tour ‘Born to Mince’, Ed Byrne, Rob Beckett’s ‘Wallop’, and Alan Carr’s – Not again, Alan!, Frank Skinner and Jon Richardson.
Other great laughs are guaranteed from Strictly Judge Craig Revel Horwood, and local legends The Lancashire Hotpots.
‘Laugh a minute’ Joe Pasquale (New Faces, I’m a Celebrity, Spamalot, The Producers) returns to Blackpool Grand in the acclaimed Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em based on the TV series by Raymond Allen, written & directed by Guy Unsworth.
Hilarious mishaps and DIY disasters are bringing the house down, quite literally - Betty has exciting news for Frank, but he’s preoccupied by possible newfound fame as a magician. With guests arriving for dinner and crossed wires all round, priceless misunderstandings are on the menu.
Based on the 1970s classic TV comedy by Ray Allen and directed by the award-winning Guy Unsworth, this is the ultimate feel-good night out, washed down with lashings of nostalgia and Mother’s prune wine.
Discover more Comedy productions at Blackpool Grand.
Musicals
Blackpool Grand this summer will present the sensational hit musical Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story, exploding with heart-pounding music, breath-taking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing.
Seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. Featuring the hit songs; Hungry Eyes, Hey! Baby, Do You Love Me?, and the heart-stopping (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.
2020 will see local performers Blackpool Operatic Player present Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film. Shrek The Musical is a Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure featuring all new songs from Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change) and a side-splitting book by David Lindsay-Abaire. Shrek brings all the beloved characters you know from the film to life on stage and proves there’s more to the story than meets the ears.
In addition, Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company who brought, Grease, 9 to 5 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang to Blackpool’s premier theatre will this year present Boogie Nights, a show packed with the greatest Disco classics like You Sexy Thing, Y.M.C.A., I Will Survive, Blame it on the Boogie, Enough is Enough, Celebration, Boogie Wonderland and many more - you’ll be dancing in the aisles to the grooviest chart topping hits!
Discover more musical productions at Blackpool Grand.
Dance
Get ready to meet BalletBoyz: Joey, Ben, Harry, Liam, Sandi and Will – six exceptional young dancers who star in Duluxe, a feast of mesmerising and sublime dance, cleverly fused with the BalletBoyz trademark use of film and behind the scenes footage.
Celebrating its 20th Anniversary with this brand new show, winners of numerous awards in the UK and overseas, BalletBoyz are one of the most cheekily original and innovative forces in dance, thrilling audiences and critics with their distinctive style which blends achingly beautiful dance both exhilarating and graceful, with stunning music and film.
The Blackpool Hip Hop festival is back, Breakin’ Convention has a new line-up for 2020. Expect jaw-dropping and inspiring performances from internationally celebrated poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls, including South Korea’s acclaimed Jinjo Crew, France’s Géométrie Variable and the UK’s own Spoken Movement, in a festival that showcases local talent alongside global sensations. Hosted and curated by UK hip hop theatre legend and Breakin’ Convention Artistic Director Jonzi D, the festival also features DJs, graffiti artists and freestyle sessions taking place all over the building.
Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend, Vincent Simone, returns to Blackpool Grand in 2020 with his brand-new show… Tango Passions. Accompanied by world-class Argentine Tango specialists, plus Tango band Tango Siempre from his shows Midnight Tango and The Last Tango, let the original Italian stallion take you on a journey to Buenos Aires and enjoy his dancing, tales and the historic poetry about the history of the Argentine Tango.
Discover more Dance productions at Blackpool Grand.
Family Fun
Retelling the classic fairy-tale with a Northern Ballet twist, Little Red Riding Hood is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre. With sell-out performances and a string of hugely successful CBeebies TV adaptations, Northern Ballet’s productions for children are not to be missed.
inventive and creative new stage show Holes comes to Blackpool, based on the multi-award winning novel and the Hollywood blockbuster. This hit production is a thrilling and off-beat comedy adventure and is perfect for adults and children aged 8 and up.
Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns, celebrating over 10 years on stage!
Christmas would not be Christmas without a visit to Blackpool Grand and take in their Traditional Pantomime; Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs feature a star cast and BBC Lancashire and local panto legend Steve Royle. Blackpool Grand’s pantomime as always will be bursting with great songs, stunning dance routines and plenty of laughter, this is a truly magical treat for all the family you won’t want to miss!
Guaranteed spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and side-splitting comedy, produced by Martin Dodd for UK Productions in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre.
Discover more Family Fun productions at Blackpool Grand.
Music
Wilko Johnson, Blockhead Norman Watt Roy, Dylan Howe and special guest 'Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure' John Otway, Joe Brown and many more make a stop at Blackpool Grand for one-night performances only!
Tim Vine is Plastic Elvis, a total sell-out at the Edinburgh festival is heading to Blackpool Grand! Feel the electricity as Plastic Elvis hits the stage backed by his incredible five piece The High Noon Band. He’ll shake, he’ll smoulder, he’ll try and control his hair and in the end, he’ll break your heart.
Another Christmas favourite, the Grand Christmas Concert, performed by Poulton Band. Packed with all your favourite sing-along carols and festive melodies, this family friendly concert is the perfect start to your Christmas.
Discover more music productions at Blackpool Grand.
Try something different
Blackpool Grand encourage their visitors to try something different, something you might not normally go to see, you’ll be pleasantly surprised, maybe thrilled or challenged, you don’t know till you try? Here’s our suggestions;
Ben Fogle: Tales from The Wilderness, thrilling tales from a modern-day explorer. From crossing Antarctica to conquering Everest, Ben will take the audience on an inspiring adventure.
Su Pollard in the razor-sharp and bittersweet drama Harpy from Fringe First Award Winner Philip Meeks. Birdie’s a hoarder. The neighbours call her a harridan and a harpy, although most have never even met her. They see her hoard as a hazard for house prices. But it isn’t rubbish. It’s her life’s work and it exists because years ago something deeply cherished was stolen from her, and Birdie’s not been able to give up anything since. She’ll do anything to get this priceless thing back. Anything at all.
Blackpool Grand is renowned in presenting some of the world’s greatest opera including; La Bohème is one of the most romantic operas ever written. It tells the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer.
Madama Butterfly, this award-winning Opera returns in a new production with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
The most Famous Bagpipe Band in the World, ever, Red Hot Chilli Pipers come to Blackpool as part of their 2019 World Tour. There has never been anything quite like The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, from their formation in 2002 and a cameo appearance at T in the Park in 2004 with the Darkness to opening the main stage in their own right in 2014. The past fifteen years has seen the Red Hot Chilli Pipers become the most famous bagpipe band on the planet, ever! Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show that carries its own health warning.
Due to popular demand Lost Dog return with their new show, Juliet and Romeo, which reveals the real story of Romeo and Juliet. It turns out they didn’t die in a tragic misunderstanding; they grew up and lived happily ever after. Well they lived at least.
Now they are 40ish, at least one of them is in the grips of a mid-life crisis, they feel constantly mocked by their teenage selves and haunted by the pressures of being the poster couple for romantic love. They have decided to confront their current struggles by putting on a performance – about themselves. Their therapist told them it was a terrible idea.
Directed by Olivier Award nominated Ben Duke.
Discover more about Blackpool Grand programme by visiting the website or call the Box Office on 01253 290190.