Theatre, Dance & Performance

Earlier this month Arts Council England announced an Ambition for Excellence award of £680,000 for Blackpool Grand Theatre and LeftCoast. The news was picked up by local press and BBC 6Music but didn’t make as big a splash regionally as it could have done, so perhaps it’s worth spending a moment considering what is really at stake... This fund is specially designed to “stimulate and support ambition, talent and excellence in the arts, particularly outside London” and as such, Blackpool’s application would have been up against heavy competition from nearly every small, regional arts organization outside the capital. The application…

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool have recently announced an exciting new programme of shows for the spring and summer season 2016. There is an incredible line-up of entertainment ahead, which includes, drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy. With this eclectic selection, there is sure to be something for everyone to enjoy. The season’s highlights include; The Royal Shakespeare Company presenting A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the first ever live tour of ITV’s 60’s police drama and the world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny. For those whose penchant is classic drama, the RSC are returning to Blackpool with the nation’s favourite…

Gareth Gates and Maureen Nolan will head the cast when Footloose: The Musical comes to the Blackpool Opera House this autumn as part of a major new UK Tour. Based on the 1984 screen sensation starring Kevin Bacon, it tells the story of city boy Ren, who moves to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as Ren rebels and soon has the whole town up on its feet. Featuring classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let's Hear it for the Boy and the unforgettable title track, tickets go on sale on Wednesday for this brand…

23 April 2016 will be the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.  To mark this momentous occasion, The Grand Theatre, Blackpool and The Royal Shakespeare Company are inviting every school in Lancashire to join #RSCDreamTeam2016  and take part in a nationwide celebration of one of The Bard’s best loved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Whether you weave lines from the play into a lesson, crate an Athenian wood in your playground or put on a full production, every school in Lancashire can get involved.  The RSC Dream Team have created FREE resources including 30 and 60 minute edits of A Midsummer…

The World Premiere of brand new musical Last Night a DJ Saved My Life starring the legendary David Hasselhoff at The Winter Gardens Blackpool opened on Friday 16 October with a fanfare of pumping old-school rave music, set to a backdrop of Ibiza sunsets and with a large amount of tongue-in-cheek Hoffness that had the 3,000-strong audience literally dancing in the aisles waving their glow-sticks. On entry you are greeted by an onstage warm-up guy who checks you’re ready to play your part when it comes to the ‘Whoa’ bits in the Vengaboys song ‘We’re going to Ibiza’, which ensures…

Joss Arnott Dance and Dame Evelyn Glennie join forces for 5|0 - a birthday celebration marking the company’s 5th and Dame Evelyn’s 50th This is to be a spectacle, a must see; likely to impress, intensify and inspire you through choreographic precision, original musical scores, and a contemporary performance masterclass; a signature combination of weaponry in Arnott’s work. To top it off, we are excited to say it is coming to Blackpool Grand Theatre this November as part of a national tour Joss Arnott Dance presents a triple bill of new, powerful and heart-pounding choreography, performed by the company’s trademark…

A thrilling shadow shall be cast across the Grand Theatre this autumn with the arrival of a chilling drama - Sherlock Holmes and the Ripper Murders. The world-famous detective will take on a case like never before along with his trusted sidekick Dr Watson, both being challenged by their darkest mystery yet. However, the serial killings of prostitutes and women in a state of vulnerability isn’t the only thing being investigated. Unintentionally, Holmes is drawn into a world of conspiracy at the top of the establishment, driven by free masonry riddling the cobbled streets of 1888 Whitechapel. Written by Brian…

Artists and communities are cooking up a treat this autumn, to celebrate all things food. The beautiful Pavilion Theatre in Blackpool Winter Gardens will host Banquet which runs over Friday 23rd and Saturday 24 October. Performances, installations, talks and shared meals will all combine to explore food, what it means to us, where it comes from and the pleasure of eating together. Theatre company Unfinished Business start this exciting and unique event on the Friday. In collaboration with young people from the Blackpool based charity Streetlife, they will create a new show called Walk, Talk, Eat With Me. Beginning with a personal tour…

The full cast has been announced for the World Premiere of brand new musical Last Night a DJ Saved My Life starring the legendary David Hasselhoff at The Winter Gardens Blackpool which opens Friday 16 October and runs until Sunday 1 November. The Hoff, as he is known to millions of fans across the world, will lead the cast as Ross when the Ibiza-themed romp opens for the first time at Blackpool Opera House this October. He is joined by son of Colleeen Nolan and Shane Ritchie, Shane Richie Jnr as Rik; BBC TV’s The Voice Contestant Stephanie Webber as…