A Full Frontal Line-Up at The Grand!

July 2015 to January 2016

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool announces a cheeky new programme of shows for autumn and winter 2015! With the brand-new tours of The Full Monty and THRILLER LIVE opening in Blackpool, the world premiere of Brave New World, an amazing line-up of drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy – plus a brand-new programme of Studio shows – there’s more than ever to enjoy at The Grand!

Grand Theatre Marketing Manager Andrew Howard said,
“This season we have an amazing line-up of shows, including the opening of two huge new tours of The Full Monty and THRILLER LIVE, plus a world premiere. This season also showcases our new Family Friendly Programme of children’s shows, as well as two of the biggest names in contemporary dance, Candoco Dance Company and Joss Arnott Dance. We are delighted to welcome back some stalwarts of live theatre, including Ken Dodd for five unforgettable performances and the hilarious Su Pollard in our Christmas panto. All this, and a brand-new box office and STUDIO spaces, makes The Grand an exciting place to visit this season!”

The Grand kick-starts a hot new season of musicals with all the glitz and glam of Hollywood, when the song and dance extravaganza Puttin’ on the Ritz comes to town! Strictly Come Dancing’s Katya Virshilas and Jared Murillo, plus Britain’s Got Talent’s Becky O’Brien, will celebrate the music of legendary composers Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter in this star-studded show full of slick harmonies, glamorous costumes and ballroom dancing.

THRILLER LIVE commences its autumn tour of its record-breaking seventh year in Blackpool this October, having already been seen by over 3 million people worldwide and celebrating the career of the world’s greatest entertainer. Meanwhile, for lovers of 60s music, Dreamboats and Miniskirts (the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats) charts the advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound with a soundtrack of the best hits of the decade.

This season also sees the return of Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company, with yet another premiere for Blackpool when they perform Legally Blonde the Musical, after their triumphant success with Hairspray the Musical in May.

Drama lovers get no better treat than the opening of The Full Monty autumn tour in Blackpool for a 10-night run! In 1997, a British film about 6 out-of-work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose took the world by storm. Starring Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn and a full-star cast, along with all the hits from the popular film, this is set to be a jaw-dropping production!

Autumn sees the highly anticipated world premiere staging of the futuristic novel Brave New World, presented by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company, who brought Brassed Off and Regeneration in 2014. A heart-warming adaptation of Frank Capra’s iconic film It’s A Wonderful Life also visits, retold as a radio play in tribute to the golden age of wireless.

Murder and mystery are in the air this season at The Grand, with a programme of drama to intrigue. Middle Ground Theatre Company returns after their performance of Classic Ghosts with A Murder is Announced: A Miss Marple Mystery. The producers of last year’s Double Death also return with two gripping plays to bookend the season, including Murder with Love and Sherlock Holmes and The Ripper Murders.

The Grand is going family friendly this season, with an exciting programme of children’s shows, including The Tiger Who Came to Tea, the sell-out return of Sing-a-long-a FROZEN, and Blackpool’s best-loved pantomime. This Christmas, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs stars the hilarious Su Pollard in addition to BBC Radio Lancashire’s Steve Royle, plus Blackpool star of Dancing on Ice, Dan Whiston.

Opera and ballet lovers are in for a surprise with a triple bill of Gilbert and Sullivan, The Gondoliers, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore, as well as a double-bill of Ellen Kent productions, Die Fledermaus and Carmen. Ballet lovers will also anticipate the return of the Russian State Ballet with seasonal favourites The Nutcracker, Giselle and The Snow Maiden.

Those who love to the see some of the biggest names in contemporary dance should not miss two of the leading companies in this field. Candoco Dance Company are the world’s leading contemporary dance company of disabled and non-disabled performers, while the critically acclaimed Joss Arnott presents 5|0, a gripping journey of power, precision and heart-pounding choreography.

In addition The Grand hosts an amazing selection of one-night entertainment shows, including the legendary musician Joan Armatrading in her last major world tour, An Evening with Sir Roger Moore, top-class comedians Ken Dodd and Tim Vine, an evening with Go West, Nik Kershaw and T’Pau plus a host of exciting tribute acts including The Billy Fury Story, ELO Again and The Tommy Cooper Show.

There is also a programme of shows for The STUDIO, set to open in September with the unveiling of the new box office. Highlights of The STUDIO season include a monthly Lough Out Loud Comedy Club with some of the best up-and-coming comedians, children’s puppetry show Chicken Licken, plus two heart-warming comedy dramas Lonely Hearts and A Translation of Shadows.

Chief Executive Ruth Eastwood said:
“With our box office and Studio space refurbishment, we are at the start of a very exciting time at the Grand Theatre. This September, customers will be able to enjoy more shows than ever with our new season of drama, family and comedy shows in The STUDIO, as well as our regular programme of top-quality plays, musicals and entertainment. We want to make sure we offer something for everyone and that Blackpool Grand is the theatre of choice for local people.”

Whether you love musicals or drama, comedy or family shows, there’s more than ever for all to enjoy at The Grand this season.

For more information about The Grand’s New Season or to book for any show
call Box Office on 01253 74 33 39 or visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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