Blackpool Grand Archives - North West End UK

11Dec

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Cinderella – Blackpool Grand

I spent my afternoon at The Grand theatre Blackpool, at the matinee of this year’s Christmas Pantomime Cinderella. As usual, a star studded lineup including Hayley Tamaddon as the fairy godmother. Britain’s Got Talent’s local Steve Royle as a lovable Buttons who certainly earned his money, in my opinion the funniest part of the show. It had all of the traditional pantomime aspects that one would expect, the audience participation, the good vs evil, the happy ending, even the song sheet at the end. Local talent, a very pretty Kitty Harris in the title role, direct from her recent stint as standby for the leading role in Burlesque the Musical UK Tour. A genuinely funny script, very well put together, colourful creative scenery, and a strong team. Direction by Kylie Bu...

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Blackpool Grand

22May

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch – Blackpool Grand

As the title may suggest this is a modern take on the Disney classic ‘The Little Mermaid’ from the point of view of Ursula. But don’t be fooled, this is certainly not a family outing, from the offset the performance is very adult, in language and theme. It’s very crude in parts, my friend who came along actually said that it went too far on occasion. I really didn’t know what to expect this evening, as I had only watched a short trailer, but being a huge fan of Disney and the Little Mermaid I was really looking forward to it. I’m very torn about my opinion on this show, parts of it were strong and entertaining, whilst other parts were unnecessary, and I had lost interest. Throughout the evening, the balance of the sound wasn’t great, when the ensemble were performing with a leadin...

24Apr

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

2:22 A Ghost Story – Blackpool Grand

I don’t usually sign up to review performances that aren’t musicals, but something about this one drew me in. Coincidentally an article written by ‘The Stage’ popped up today, talking about the West End transfer of this production, so already I was expecting good things, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. I was so pleased to see such a full venue this evening at The Grand Blackpool. Written by Danny Robins, 2:22 has a very small cast featuring only four principles and two supporting cast members. All of the action takes place on the same set, a living room/ dining room open plan downstairs of a house, the events take place over the period of one evening. I don’t want to give too much away, because I really don’t want to spoil anything; But I can say that the cast members were e...

22Feb

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Bouncers – Blackpool Grand

If your name’s not on the list, you’re not coming in… Bouncers is back in Blackpool with a bang! Named as one of The National Theatre’s ‘Plays of the Century’, John Godber’s classic is at the Grand Theatre for a very limited run. With a contemporary introduction for a 2024 audience, Bouncers quickly returns to its roots. Keeping faith with Godber’s original script, packed with humour and nostalgia, this new production takes us back to the 1980s when disco was king, and everyone lived for the weekend. Les, Ralph, Judd and Lucky Eric (played wonderfully by George Reid, Tom Whittaker, Nick Figgis and Frazer Hammill respectively) take us on the journey back to relive a night in nightclub “Mr Cinders”. With an exhilarating, toe-tapping 80s soundtrack, this production is as fantastic for its ...

6Apr

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Shrek The Musical – Blackpool Grand

On a wet and windy night in Blackpool the quest for a fairytale happy ending has taken on extra meaning. Forced to postpone from 2020 (a cruel two weeks before opening night), Blackpool Operatic Players have clearly put everything into finally bringing Shrek The Musical to the stage. And, with an outstanding professional set and wardrobe, tonight is a vibrant, visual delight, faithfully translating the hit animation into live action success. Under the assured direction of Neil Townsend, cast and audience alike have a hugely enjoyable show loaded with slapstick, sarcasm and fart jokes to thrill kids and parents alike. And, at the heart of it, a riotous send-up of the classic ‘damsel in distress’ fairytale narrative. For those who have spent any of the past 22 years living under ...

Around the World in 80 Days – Blackpool Grand

2Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Around the World in 80 Days – Blackpool Grand

Shakespeare once famously compared the world to a theatre stage in As You Like It – tonight, theatre company Tilted Wig have turned things on their heads to make the stage a world. This energetic take on Jules Verne beloved tale of Phileas Fogg, the London gentleman who wagers his fortune and reputation on a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80days or less, has been adapted and directed by Juliet Forster. Forster has added a new depth to the journey by weaving it around the real-life memoirs of Nelly Bly, a pioneering American journalist who took on Fogg’s fictional journey and bested his time by a week. And she cleverly takes time to address the more uncomfortable moments of oppressive patriarchy and colonialism within Verne’s novel, without glossing over or censoring them...

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Blackpool Grand

20Oct

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical – Blackpool Grand

Leicester Curve’s production of Beautiful completely changes the original blueprint of the musical. This staging is a cool, stripped-back version focusing on the music and sound that shaped one of the most successful singer-songwriters. At the start, we find an eager sixteen-year-old Carole Klein (yes, that’s right), trying to prove to her mother that she can be more than just a music teacher. The audience follows Carole through her song catalogue, all the way to her infamous performance of the Grammy award winning album Tapestry at Carnegie Hall. Set mostly in a recording studio, the stage easily shifts to more intimate spaces with simple furnishings and choreographed movements. It’s modern and almost metallic, with a giant “beautiful” sign adorning it at beginning and end. With the...

Dreamboats & Petticoats: Bringing On Back The Good Times – Blackpool Grand

3Aug

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Dreamboats & Petticoats: Bringing On Back The Good Times – Blackpool Grand

Dreamboats & Petticoats: Bringing On Back The Good Times is a follow on from the original feel good juke box musical. I had no idea what to expect this evening, but I assumed that the production would be very similar to previous DreamBoats & Petticoats productions, it was also a juke box musical and it did feature the same central characters and songs from the golden era of Rock’ n’ Roll, such as ‘To Sir With Love’ ‘Palisades Park’ and ‘Is This The Way To Amarillo’ The story tells of Laura (Elizabeth Carter) a successful singer and her partner on their number one hit record Dreamboats and Petticoats’ Bobby (Jacob Fowler) who has decided to re-join his former group Norman and The Conquests at St Mungo’s Youth Club. This is where the majority of the production is set, the other ha...

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

16Jun

By Coral MourantNo Comments

North West

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – Blackpool Grand

Jim Cartwright's 90's hit “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice” tells the story of one talented girl and her reluctant rise to stardom in her local Northern town. It feels fitting to be back in Blackpool, surrounded by cabaret bars and illuminations, and this production deserves to be bringing in all the crowds here. This Olivier award winning play has had many revivals including a film starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine. It’s easy to see why, as the story of Little Voice is a charming tale of family, humour and small town dreams. At the heart of the play is LV herself; a young recluse who constantly listens to her late father's record collection. Overheard imitating the divas she adores, LV is forced to perform and struggles to find her own voice in the chaos and noise. The s...

Father Brown The Murderer in the Mirror – Blackpool Grand

23Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Father Brown The Murderer in the Mirror – Blackpool Grand

Amongst the array of great literary detectives, Father Brown, the ‘hero’ of GK Chesterton’s short stories is something of an antithesis of the larger-than-life personalities we have become accustomed to. The usual rock-solid confidence in one’s own genius that is the hallmark of many of our famous sleuths is contrasted sharply by the unassuming way Father Brown will sit back and quietly observe, letting his companions talk themselves into confessions of malcontent and murder. Rumpus theatre company have woven one such story into the classic theatrical ‘whodunnit’ formula to present ‘The Murderer in the Mirror’ starring John Lyons - well-known to audiences thanks to his TV work as DS George Toolan, sidekick to the great Sir David Jason’s DI Frost. In this tale, a well-known actor and ...