Theatre Archives - Blackpool Social Club

18 May

Theatre Preview: Mr Blackpool Homecoming Gala

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsGuide, Theatre, Dance & PerformanceTheatre

After touring the country with a show shaped by Blackpool’s glitz, graft and contradictions, Mr Blackpool finally arrives home this week – bringing with it feathers, drag, dance, politics, nostalgia and, for one night only, some of the town’s famous illuminations. Mr Blackpool arrives at the Grand Theatre on Wednesday for its long-awaited Homecoming Gala – finally returning to the place that made it, both geographically and spiritually. Harry Clayton-Wright’s theatrical extravaganza has travelled the country collecting acclaim and bewildering audiences in equal measure. Part cabaret, part fever dream, part social commentary – just like the town itself, Mr Blackpool…

18 Mar

THEATRE PREVIEW: COME FROM AWAY

Blackpool Social Club0 CommentsGuide, Theatre, Dance & PerformanceCome from Away, Junction Four, Lowther Pavilion, musical, Theatre

Junction Four Productions returns to The Lowther Pavilion Theatre this month with the Fylde Coast premiere of the multi-award-winning musical Come From Away. Following three standout seasons, the creative team now set their sights on an up-close staging of this remarkable true story, told with heart, humour and unforgettable music that you can dance to even after the show ends. 7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story. Winner of four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical, and a Tony Award for Best Direction, the smash-hit show Come From Away tells the incredible true story of 7,000 air…

26 Jan

The Old Electric showcase Blackpool’s emerging scriptwriting talent

Linda Hampton0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, Blackpool and the Fylde College, blackpool arts scene, performance, the old electric, Theatre, workshops

Local actor and writer Linda Hampton was invited to take part as a reader for this live event hosted by The Old Electric, on a cold January night. Each year at the culmination of the annual scriptwriting course offered by The Old Electric performing arts organisation in Blackpool, participating writers are invited to show their work-in-progress to a live audience. Six Blackpool-based writers – George Bamber, Angela Murphy, Amanda Webster, Joshua Shaw, Lyndsey Barlow and Lydia Warrilow - have been developing their stories under the guidance of Melanie Whitehead, Artistic Director of The Old Electric. She has been helping the…

05 Jan

Props Workshop Participant’s Blog – The Old Electric

Louise Ashcroft0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, Props Workshop, the old electric, Theatre

Helen Gore recently attended the Props and Parades sessions arranged by The Old Electric and wrote this blog about her experiences, which she has shared with us. Influenced by some of my favourite TV and stage shows, I have always had an interest in how the props were made in order to bring these real objects or extraordinary creatures to life. It’s in these moments of watching a rat puppet teach history or a malevolent ghost dismantle a living room on stage that inspire me to have a go at making these things myself. This interest led me to the…

03 Oct

Theatre Review: The Bodyguard

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsGuide, Theatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, musical, Theatre, Winter Gardens

For those of a certain age mention The Bodyguard and their mind will wander back to the early 1990s Warner Brothers romantic thriller, and in particular Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You, that featured on the soundtrack and spent ten weeks at number one. Since 2012 there has also been a stage musical, and a large audience was in the Winter Gardens Opera House on a damp November Monday evening for the opening night of the current run in Blackpool. They were treated to a polished and engaging feel-good performance with several standout musical highlights.…

18 Sep

Theatre Review: Kailey by Kerry Wright

David Simper0 CommentsGuide, Theatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool Grand Theatre, play, prisons policy, Theatre

This week, David Simper headed to the Grand Theatre studio's intimate surroundings to watch, Kailey, an original play tackling the impact of imprisoned parents on the family they leave behind. While the theme seemed grim, the play was presented in an engaging way. The set consisted of an illuminated square frame as a backdrop to a square table with three chairs. A small lighting rig was standing to each side. Music was playing as we entered the venue and music was to continue to play a strong role in the production. The subject is personal to writer and producer, Kerry…

27 Aug

Theatre Review: The Addams Family

Stephen Dunstan0 CommentsGuide, Theatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, review, Theatre, Winter Gardens

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] It was a night of contrasts in central Blackpool tonight. As a curtain raiser for the Illuminations brightly lit bikes were taking over the Promenade for Ride The Lights, meanwhile the dark line in humour of The Addams Family started a five day run at the Winter Gardens. The Addams Family has a heritage over 60 years strong including several TV series and four films. Most recently the Wednesday spin off has brought the characters to a new young audience. The current run of the musical lives up to this stellar ancestry with an illustrious line-up. Alexandra Burke…

30 Jul

Theatre Review: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Louise Ashcroft0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & PerformanceBlackpool, review, Theatre, Winter Gardens

The West End production of the classic tale of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe arrives in Blackpool this week, as part of its UK tour. Whatever your age, it is likely you have some experience of this magical story. Some of us may be familiar as early readers, with late night promises of 'just one more chapter' before lights out, or sneakily reading with a torch under the covers. Others may remember the TV series from the late eighties, introducing us to the wonderful world of Narnia and the terrifying White Witch. A wider audience was further developed…

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,…

19 Jan

Theatre Review: Girls Like That!

David Simper0 CommentsTheatre, Dance & Performancecyber-bullying, Theatre, youth theatre

After viewing the newly opened Open Exhibition at the Grundy Art Gallery, David Simper took the short stroll down to the Grand Theatre to catch this play performed by the Fylde Coast Youth Theatre. It did not disappoint. On entering the Grand Theatre Studio, the cast of Girls Like That was already in the performance space, dressed in matching white shirts/blouses and denim. Spot on 3pm, the lights dropped and we were straight into it. A single performer, in the role of Scarlett, stood unsmiling stage centre – the other actors surrounded and berated her viciously, which was a surprisingly…