community theatre Archives - Blackpool Social Club

07 Jul

Theatre review: Th’ESP’s production – Memoirs of a Blackpool Mermaid

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceblackpool art scene, community theatre, mermaids

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Having enjoyed several productions at The Old Electric's former Springfield Road venue, David Simper was keen to see how the company fared at the Winter Gardens conference centre this weekend. Disembarking from the Service 61 bus in Corporation Street, he got in some steps to the Leopold Grove entrance. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=""]The new Winter Gardens (in the new bit) venue doesn't have a stage and in this respect mirrors the old Springfield Road premises in providing an eye level performance space, now enclosed by chairs on three sides. I expected some lights to dim, concentrating illumination on the centre,…

26 Jun

Blackpool Mermaid Makes Waves at Winter Gardens

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity, community theatre, performance, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] The Old Electric proudly presents Memoirs of a Blackpool Mermaid, a mesmerising new production that brings to life powerful stories inspired by Blackpool. This play intertwines forgotten folklore with vivid tales from the town’s local history, illuminating Blackpool’s unique heritage while inviting audiences to reflect on whether anything truly changes. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=""]Memoirs of a Blackpool Mermaid is performed by The Electric Sunshine Project’s Community Theatre Company; Th’ESPs. An ever-evolving group of passionate and skilled local creatives, some of whom have been working together since 2016. Uniquely this company has also written, devised, choreographed and created the musical score,…

18 Nov

Theatre Review: Nativity the Musical

Linda Hampton0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceChristmas, community theatre

Nativity the Musical sparkles and shines in festive mood at Marine Hall. Blackpool based Cou Cou Productions bring their latest extravaganza Nativity the Musical to Fleetwood’s Marine Hall from Wednesday to Saturday this week. Cou Cou Productions’ directors, Sophie, Nikita and Phoebe Coulon, have brought together an enthusiastic collection of local performers, both children and adults, to bring their early festive offering in the form of the stage musical based on the popular 2009 Christmas movie, Nativity. The Coulon sisters have been running Cou Cou for almost nine years and are going from strength to strength with a growing list…

10 Oct

Creative Callout: Actors wanted for comedy pilot

Linda Hampton0 CommentsLocal Newsauditions, Blackpool, Comedy, community theatre, entertainment, performance, Theatre

A Blackpool-based production company is seeking three actors for their forthcoming November shoot of a comedy drama. Friendly Way Productions Ltd seeks three people to join the existing cast for the filming of the pilot episode of their new series, AmDram. Shoot dates are 2nd-4th November 2023 and the deadline for applications is 23rd October. Casting breakdown and all details of how to apply can be found here. Actors will be required to submit their self-tapes for consideration for the following roles: Thomas (late twenties-early thirties) is a recent divorcee who joins a local amateur theatre group as a way…

24 Jun

Theatre Review: Dead Dog in a Suitcase

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performanceblackpool commumity theatre, community theatre, Old Electric, Theatre

Peel back the skin of this totally bananas community production and you'll find hard hitting truths that will leave you stunned, writes David Simper. Without reservation Dead Dog in a Suitcase at The Old Electric is an incredible piece of theatre that has been put together with such love. I had had my doubts at the words 'community production', but these were assuaged and I didn't stir in my seat until the house lights finally came back up. We are talking a remake of The Beggar's Opera, delivered with originality and true gusto. The service 3 bus got me to…

09 Jun

Into The Woods at Lowther Pavillion

Claire Griffiths0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity theatre, Into The Woods, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Producer and Director Mykey J Young has been researching the importance and relevance of regional, and community theatre and its intersection with professional theatre-making practice with Junction 4's current production of Into The Woods. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, based on a book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from Little Red Riding Hood (spelled "Ridinghood" in the published vocal score), Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, as well as several…

20 Jan

The Snow Queen pays a royal visit to Blackpool

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecommunity theatre, Contemporary theatre, performance

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tale, the Snow Queen is set to bring a theatrical wintery sparkle to Blackpool audiences. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Running at approx. 60 minutes, The Snow Queen sees flowers come to life, puppetry princesses and shares the true meaning of friendship. The new production builds on a sold out summer show; Wonderland, which received top ratings from audiences. The Electric Sunshine Project has been making new theatre in Blackpool for five years and each production gets brighter, bolder and a little more daring as they continue to try out new performance techniques.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Melanie Whitehead, Artistic Director…

10 Jan

Free theatre activities for young people at The Old Electric

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsOpportunitiesArt, community theatre, youth theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The Electric Sunshine Project (TESP) is now working with the Little Blackpool Leisure Company to offer Arts Award as part of the The Old Electric (OE) Youth Theatre Friday sessions. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Young people aged between 14 and 17 can develop their theatre knowledge and experience and take their next steps to become an arts leader of tomorrow. Arts Awards aim to inspire young people to grow their arts and leadership talents: it's creative, valuable, and accessible which are achieved at five levels, four qualifications, and an introductory award. The OE Youth Theatre is inviting young people aged 14 to 17…

08 Dec

Royal Shakespeare Company’s Henry VI (part 2) features Blackpool talent

David Simper0 CommentsLocal News, Theatre, Dance & Performanceactors, Blackpool, community theatre, henry VI (part 2), royal shakespeare company, shakespeare, shakespeare nation, The grand theatre blackpool, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Doing its bit to spread the enjoyment and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays round the country, the Stratford-upon-Avon based Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is in a long term partnership with our cherished Grand Theatre. Together they're putting Blackpool theatre talent centre stage through the Shakespeare Nation adult participation initiative. The initiative involves twelve other theatres, including the Theatre Royal, London and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, around the country. The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation supports this initiative, which aims to create a nation of Shakespeare and theatre-lovers, particularly among those who often have little or no experience of Shakespeare, with the…

07 Aug

In Her Place: Our Electric Princess

Stephanie Cottle0 CommentsColumns & Opinion, HeritageBlackpool, community, community theatre, entertainment, heritage, performance, Place, Theatre

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Electric slide back in time with Stephanie Cottle and take a look at one of Blackpool’s historic buildings. Since the government announced further easing of COVID restrictions you may have noticed some curious creatures emerging from hibernation. No, I’m not talking about the return of the stag and hen parties, but rather a merry band of local thespians. Stretching out their long-rested legs, the colourful cohort have been taking to the streets of Blackpool and providing visitors to the town centre with some much needed fun and theatrics. But where are these captivating characters coming from? If you’ll allow…