Sandra Mangan, Author at Blackpool Social Club

09 Jan

Jacobean comedy with a 1950s twist

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance

Two of Britain's biggest names in theatre - English Touring Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company - are collaborating for the first time to tour their innovative production of Thomas Middleton’s Jacobean comedy, A Mad World My Masters. And it stops off at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from 5 to 7 March. The action is set in London’s Soho, 1956. Here, glamour rubs up against filth, and it likes it! The posh mix with musicians, whores and racketeers; virginity is ‘no city trade’, and the dashingly cash-strapped bachelor, Richard Follywit, in pursuit of quick cash and a good time has to…

07 Jan

Bumper birthday bash for Fleetwood venue

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLocal News, Music & Gigs, Theatre, Dance & Performance

This year sees Fleetwood's Marine Hall celebrate its 80th birthday and there’s a jam packed calendar of shows and events planned. Kicking things off is the annual Fleetwood Beer and Cider Festival on Thursday February 5 to Saturday 7, with more than 120 UK cask beers and a range of ciders, perries and beers from around the world. If food is more to your taste, then the Fylde Coast Food and Drink Festival is on Sunday August 16. There's a feast of comedy to be served up too. Following another sell out run at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival, comedian Patrick Monahan will be at the venue on Saturday 21 February…

06 Jan

Circus, South American style, set to shine at Showzam

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance

Circus like you've never seen it before is set to star at Showzam! in February, when high-energy Columbian circus company Circolumbia bring their unique style all the way from South America to Blackpool Tower Circus. The company of highly skilled and powerful performers boast an impressive skill set and the fearless grit to perform terrifying stunts live on stage in a brand-new show you don’t want to miss. LeftCoast, VisitBlackpool and SeaChange are thrilled to be bringing it to Blackpool ahead of its official premiere at the Roundhouse in London. Inspired by Columbia’s diverse communities, the show features 14 of the most talented performers from across…

21 Dec

Preview: Have you got a Handel on ‘The Messiah’?

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLocal News, Music & Gigs

A top British organist and conductor will return to his Blackpool roots in the New Year when St Paul's Church in Marton hosts a 'Sing the Messiah' event. Musical director for this performance of Handel's famous choral work is Michael Cayton, who was brought up in Marton, where his father was vicar of St Paul's. Michael was the first organ scholar at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners, and is in demand all over Europe as a recitalist and organist. He is principal conductor for Watford Philharmonic Society and has given many broadcasts for the BBC, including…

19 Dec

Addicted to Boos

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performance

Dressed from head to toe in fetching black velvet, with a set of matching horns on the top of her head, a heavily pregnant Jennifer Ellison plonks herself down and makes a confession. She’s a ‘boo’ addict. Anyone overhearing the conversation might be running straight for the red tops, but although her garb might have a whiff of the hen party about it, this star of TV and stage hasn’t touched a drop. She’s here in Blackpool to help launch the Grand Theatre’s pantomime. This year it’s Sleeping Beauty, and Jennifer will be playing wicked fairy godmother Carabosse. Hence the…

18 Dec

Writer Dan has a way with words

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLiterature & Spoken Word

After 15 years of teaching at Layton Primary, Blackpool, Dan Worsley decided that it was time for a change of career. These days, he is a professional storyteller and writer – and has just self-published his first children’s book, entitled ‘Impossible Tales!’. He took time out of his busy schedule to write us a special Christmas story – you'll find it in the latest altBlackpool print edition – and also to answer a few questions. Tell me about your work? I’m a professional storyteller and writer. I visit all manner of venues, such as schools and libraries, telling a wide variety of stories…

12 Dec

Preview: Feeling the Night Fever down at the Grand

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsMusic & Gigs, Theatre, Dance & Performance

Want to know what you should be doing at the Grand from February 17 to 21? You Should Be Dancing of course! And we're not Jive Talking here - because those are the dates when hit musical Saturday Night Fever arrives at the venue as part of a UK wide tour. One of the best-loved dance stories of all time, Saturday Night Fever is being revived by Theatre Royal Bath Productions in association with the Robert Stigwood Organisation. The show features a twenty-strong cast of talented actor-musicians and is packed with legendary Bee Gees hits, including Stayin’ Alive, Night Fever, Jive…

10 Dec

Empress-ive launch is music to our ears

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLocal News, Music & Gigs, Theatre, Dance & Performance

We may have a reputation for tat, hen parties and bad taste, but Blackpool has a lot to be proud about. There are plenty of jewels in this town's crown – and one of the most sparkly has to be the Winter Gardens. The place has even more polish now, thanks to a band of enthusiasts from Cannock Chase Organ Club, who have worked long and hard to bring a top class instrument back to the Empress Ballroom. It has taken two and a half years for the team to source all of the bits needed. And on Sunday the finished…

09 Dec

Preview: Bloomfield Road to be a Diamond setting

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLocal News, Music & Gigs

Legendary singer/songwriter Neil Diamond will bring his world tour to Blackpool’s Bloomfield Road Stadium next summer. The concert on Thursday July 23 is the only outdoor stadium gig and the final show of the European leg of Diamond's 2015 world tour. It is a huge coup for promoters Cuffe and Taylor, the team behind summer2014's Rod Stewart gig which attracted a crowd of almost 20,000 people to the home of Blackpool FC. Director Peter Taylor said: “We are thrilled to announce we are bringing Neil Diamond to Blackpool next summer. This will be a massive event not just for Blackpool but the…

03 Dec

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Sandra Mangan0 CommentsLocal News, Theatre, Dance & Performance

Can you hear those Jingle Bells? Making a list, checking it twice? In short - are you in the Christmas spirit? Well, Blackpool's the place to be if you want to get that festive feeling. Take your first steps to festivity by making a date with VisitBlackpool's Christmas Advent Calendar where you can win big prizes over the Christmas season. Panto tickets, swimming with sharks, meals, shopping vouchers, luxury hotel stays, perfume and even a sparkling diamond necklace, plus lots more are all on the menu as well as lots of special offers. Whether you are buying gifts for friends and…