Keith Lemon To Switch On Blackpool Illuminations

 THE CURTAIN RISES ON A NEW SEASON AT BLACKPOOL’S GRAND THEATRE

 Grand Theatre has announced a packed programme of productions from September through to March 2012

The beautiful Grand Theatre, Blackpool offers Blackpool and Fylde Coast residents and visitors a packed year-round programme of live theatre from opera, ballet, plays, comedies, musicals, contemporary drama and dance to fun children’s shows! There is always something for everyone at the Grand; just take a look for yourself!

Neil Thomson, The Grand Theatre’s General Manager, said, “This season we have embarked upon an ambitious programme of quality drama to complement our ever-eclectic offerings. These productions come from a number of acclaimed companies which include PW Productions’ An Inspector Calls, the National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller. The Grand was highly delighted to join the Touring Consortium, and following the success of To Kill a Mocking Bird, the 2012 production is Diary of Anne Frank, a beautifully tender, disturbing and powerful new production. The third of our ‘A’ rated productions is Anne Boleyn from Shakespeare’s Globe and English Touring Theatre, following two sell out seasons at the Globe, London.

“Research showed that musicals were amongst our strongest and most supported genres and we are happy to announce the long- awaited return of Annie and 42^nd Street.

 “We hope that this journey into high class drama whets your appetites for future seasons. The Grand has taken a large financial gamble to bring you these productions. Please support them.”

Musicals are always enjoyed by Blackpool audiences and this season we have one of the most successful musicals of all time visiting the Grand from Tuesday 22^nd to Saturday 26^th November, Annie starring Su Pollard as Miss Hannigan plus a West End company of 40! The poignant Over the Rainbow the Story of Eva Cassidy arrives for one night only on Friday 28^th October. Direct from the West End, Dreamboats and Petticoats, featuring some of the greatest hits of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era jives into the theatre Monday 16^th January to Wednesday 18^th January. Blackpool Operatic Players will return with the Tony Award winning Titanic the Musical in April, 100 years after the liner sank on her maiden voyage. We are also delighted to announce that an action packed musical adventure, Swallows and Amazons, will be sailing into the Grand on Tuesday 8^th May to Saturday 12^th May. Follow Captain John and his able crew as they set sail to Wildcat Island for exotic adventures encountering savages, dastardly pirates and much more! We can also announce that the Tony Award winner for Best Musical Revival, 42^nd Street will be dancing into the Grand in July 2012.

All the family can enjoy theatre with a host of children’s productions including our fantastic pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Coronation Street’s notorious knicker-stitcher, Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle), Grand favourite Steve Royle and, from Hi-5, Jenny Jones as Snow White from Friday 2^nd December to Monday 2^nd January. Ahoy there me Hearties! Peppa Pig and her friends are going on a treasure hunt and need your help! Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt visits the theatre on Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^ndJanuary; Fireman Sam, the brave and friendly hero next dooris back on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th February. Horse + Bamboo present a gorgeously rendered re-telling of the classic girl-and-the-wolf tale with Red Riding Hood on Wednesday 7^th and Thursday 8^th March.

If you like comedy how about Jason Byrne with Cirque Du Byrneon Friday 16^th September, Reginald D Hunter – Sometimes Even the Devil Tells the Truth on Sunday 25^th September, Justin Moorhouse on Monday 26^th September, the King of Mirth, Ken Dodd every Sunday from 2^nd October to 6^th November, the grandfather of alternative comedy, Mike Harding, on Saturday 12^th November, Jerry Sadowitz’s unique brand of humour on Sunday 20^th November and Milton Jones (you know, the wierd bloke with the shirts from Mock the Week) on Sunday 27^th November? Back, and now in 3D, Puppetry of the Penis! 3D returns to the Grand on Monday 10^th October and Russell Kane brings Manscaping to the theatre on Sunday 26^th February. You’ll be laughing so hard, you’ll be wiping tears away from your eyes all night!

Ballet returns this season with the Russian Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia from Friday 6^th to Sunday 8^th January with La Fille mal gardeé (Friday), Nutcracker (Saturday) and Swan Lake (Sunday). They return to the theatre from Sunday 18^th to Monday 19^th March with Sleeping Beauty (Sunday) and Giselle (Monday). Book now – tickets for these performances sell very quickly!

Talented local dancers also take to the stage throughout the season with World At Your Feet Diamond Show, celebrating 60 years of Blackpool’s Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre from Friday 10^th to Sunday 12^th February and Phil Winston’s Theatreworks presenting The Works from Friday 16^th to Saturday 17^th March.

If you like quality drama you must see the National Theatre’s production of An Inspector Calls,returning to the Grand by popular demand. Directed by Stephen Daldry, director of one of Britain’s best loved films, Billy Elliott, this classic thriller is not to be missed.

The Grand Theatre is proud to announce that it is now part of the Touring Consortium. Following the success of To Kill a Mocking Bird, the 2012 production (Monday 16^th to Saturday 21^st April) is Diary of Anne Frank, a beautifully tender and powerful account of hope, courage, survival and loss.  

On a more light-hearted note, if you fancy a titter or two(!) Fiona is organising an Ann Summers party in Girls Night In, and you’re invited! With an all star cast to be announced this is a hugely funny play – with a bite! At the Grand from Monday 31^st October to Saturday 5^th November.

The girls are back! One of BBC television’s most popular and fondly remembered sitcoms comes to the stage with all three of its original cast members, Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph. Birds of a Feather is at the Grand from Tuesday 24^th to Saturday 28^th April. This is a rare chance to see the original cast re-united on stage for the very first time.

The Grand Theatre’s commitment to Education continues, and in partnership with Blackpool Council’s Music Service, we are pleased to welcome back Wedzi and the World Muzik Makers for another fantastic African Music Night, Wednesday 16^th – Thursday 17^th November. The Grand Theatre, Blackpool Schools and Blackpool Council’s Music Service are also delighted to present Schools Alive 2012 returning from Monday 30^th January to Friday 3^rd February.

On Remembrance Day there will be a very special performance. Scamp Theatre (here last year with the highly acclaimed Private Peaceful) will present Friend or Foe, written by third Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo. Set at the height of the Second World War, two young boys, David and Tucky prepare to be evacuated from London. After settling into their new life in the countryside with Mr Reynolds and his wife Ann, they feel like the war is a long way away from their old lives in the city. Then one night the skyline of the moor is lit up with gun flashes, and the distant crump of bombing miles away brings the war back to them and shatters their newfound peace. When a German bomber crashes, the boys feel they should hate the airmen inside. But then one of them saves David’s life…

From Tuesday 26^th to Saturday 30^th April we are proud to announce that English Touring Theatre will be presenting The Shakespeare’s Globe production of Anne Boleyn.Compelling and witty this celebration of a great English heroine, Anne Boleyn, leaps between generations to reveal the debt King James I owed to Anne when he reconciled England’s religious factions by creating his common Bible. Following two sell-out London seasons this vibrant and gripping production is unmissable.

Opera will be making a return to Blackpool this season when the Co-Opera Company return with Carmen on Sunday 11^th September and The Magic Flute on Monday 12^th September. Derek Block and Blackburn International present Ellen Kent’s Productions of La Traviata on Tuesday 8^th November and Madama Butterfly on Wednesday 9^th November before returning with La Bohème on Tuesday 6^th March. On Saturday 4^th and Sunday 5^th February Opera della Luna bring their modern, stylish and funny production of The Merry Widow to the Grand.

Other great shows include the Grand Youth Theatre Company’s production of EIGHT from Monday 12^th to Wednesday 14^th September. Fresh from their run at the Edinburgh Festival this series of different monologues is not to be missed. Drawing on blues, rock, funk and jazz influences Preston Reed plays the Lawrence House Studio on riday 16^th Septmeber. Poulton Brass Band return with A Night At The Proms on Sunday 18^th September and their ‘Grand’ Christmas Concert with Carols on Monday 19^th December. The Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers will be performing on stage on Monday 3^rd October and it’s all up to the oche for thefirst ever theatre tour of the nation’s favourite darts game show, Bullseye on Monday 17^th October. The fantastic Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain will be tearing the house down on Sunday 23^rd October and Monday 24^th October sees the return of Sally Morgan with Psychic Sally on the Road.

Steve Steinman brings a show like no other to the theatre with Vampires Rockon Thursday 10^th November.The tantalising, yet tasteful An Evening of Burlesque will bring Parisian charm and Vegas glamour on Sunday 13^th November.  Beyond the Barricade at Christmasis back by overwhelming public demand on Monday 12^th December and Wednesday 8^th February will see Colin Fry bringing his own unique style of comfort and upliftment to ordinary people.  

Showzam!is back from 10^th to 19^th February. Friday 17^th February sees Ida Barr’s Variety Parade take to the stage at the Grand. A full announcement of our week’s presentations will be coming soon.

Feast of Fiddles is a musical extravaganza like no other, and arrives at the Grand on Sunday 8^th April. The Solid Silver 60s Show is back on Sunday 15^th April featuring the unforgettable talents of Peter Noone, Chris Montez, Brian Heyland, special guest Brian Poole and Vanity Fare.

To book for any show you can call the Box Office on 01253 743339 or click on www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk, or visit us at the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.

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Don’t forget – Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

Ends…

For further Grand Theatre press & marketing information, review tickets, images etc, please contact:

Hannah Dornford-May Marketing, Grand Theatre, Blackpool Tel:01253 290111