Blackpool Grand Theatre Archives

Murder at Midnight – Blackpool Grand Theatre

29Jan

By Paddy Darnell-WalshNo Comments

North West

Murder at Midnight – Blackpool Grand Theatre

A New Year's Eve like you've never seen before arrives at the Seaside this week. As the clock strikes midnight, murder and chaos ensue, posing not only the question of whodunnit but who even died? Playwright Torben Betts returns with the follow up to his 2023 hit Murder in the Dark, delivering this murder-mystery satire of cockney gang culture, dark comedy and drama all rolled into one. Promising a thrilling night out, and despite some killer moments, the play was rather lazily written offering nothing unique nor exciting than what we have seen before. The plot, centring around the Drinkwater home on New Year's Eve, was vague at best. That said, it is very easy watching littered with amusing moments throughout. Take the play for what it is, don't take it in any way seriously and it is a...

21Jun

By Jessie MartinNo Comments

Scotland

Grease – Pitlochry Festival Theatre

The classic rock and rollin’, bunny hoppin’ musical Grease lands at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre this week after kicking off their run at the Blackpool Grand Theatre earlier this month. Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Blackpool Grand Theatre have worked together to co-produce this rough and ready production, showcasing the enterprise opportunities that come with collaborating both financially and creatively. Not only allowing for more freedom with budget, but also (very importantly) allowing this show to provide accessible commercial theatre for those more rural theatre scenes. With no typical-style ensemble and no typical-style band, the cast are tasked with acting, singing and dancing all while playing the score of Grease themselves. Jan (Leah Jamieson) rocks out...

Titanic the Musical – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

22Mar

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Titanic the Musical – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

The story of Titanic is a timeless one, one that most people the world over are familiar with. The ship that they called “unsinkable” did just that on its maiden voyage, killing over 1,500 souls on board and sending the world’s most luxurious liner to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean without a trace. But still, even 110 years later, it’s a story that fascinates, horrifies and titillates modern audiences. Many would think that this performance is a musical adaptation of James Cameron’s 1997 motion picture masterpiece - part of the reason that the story of Titanic has gained legendary status in the modern subconscious - but that would be wrong. Titanic the Musical is a unique retelling of its namesake, without a Jack Dawson or Rose Bukater in sight. And for that, I am thankful. This perfo...

Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

14Feb

By Gill LewisNo Comments

North West

Richard O’Brien’s Rocky Horror Show – Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Delivering Friday feels on a Monday night, the legendary rock n roll musical full of frisky frolics and plenty of laughs smacks onto the shores of Blackpool like a pelvic thrust. Before curtain up the audience was buzzing with excitement which was truly infectious. Being familiar with the original 1975 movie, I wondered how the stage version would compare, and this did not disappoint. Newly engaged, sweet couple Brad and Janet are perfectly played with heart by Richard Meek and Hayley Flaherty. They are the 'Barbie and Ken' of Denton on their way to visit their friend and mentor Dr Scott (Superbly played by Joe Allen who also doubles up as 'Eddie') when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere during a miserable storm. Through this treacherous weather, they see "a light over at...

Top Panto Star Steve Royle is a Grand Millennial with 1,000 performances!

4Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Interviews

Top Panto Star Steve Royle is a Grand Millennial with 1,000 performances!

Much-loved panto star and stand-up sensation Steve Royle will celebrate an incredible 1,000 pantomime performances in this year’s seasonal spectacular Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre Ever popular panto star Steve Royle will take his 1,000th bow on the beautiful Blackpool Grand Theatre stage this year as he once again delights thousands of families in the magical pantomime Sleeping Beauty this Christmas. Oh yes he will! Everyone’s favourite finalist from ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent will star as Silly Billy in this year’s fabulous, festive tale and it will be the thousandth time he has filled every member of his lucky panto audience with sheer joy and delight. In his millennial year, Steve Royle will be swapping lines with Dancing on Ice champion and Emmerdale star Hayley ...

14Apr

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Kinky Boots – Blackpool Grand Theatre

If Musicals bingo was a thing, Kinky Boots would surely tick every single box. Based on a true story? Check. Working class factory setting? Check. Underdog who wins the day? Well, that would be something of a spoiler, but you can guess the answer. Based on a true story, we meet Charlie Price who, following a chance meeting with a drag queen named Lola, decides to re-invigorate the shoe factory he has recently inherited from his late father, by making shoes for drag queens. Soon a prestigious trade show in Milan beckons but Lola and Charlie look set to fall out over whether the Italian critics will like the cut of their leather. With Harvey Fierstein’s devilishly funny script, adapted from Tim Firth’s original screenplay (himself no stranger to ‘beat the odds’ musicals) and a sparklin...

2022 Pantomime announced for Blackpool Grand Theatre

2Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

2022 Pantomime announced for Blackpool Grand Theatre

It’s never too early to book your seats for next year’s magical family pantomime Sleeping Beauty at Blackpool Grand Theatre. Oh no it isn’t! And so, says the limited availability for this year’s incredible production! Wakey Wakey…. Don’t miss out on the spellbinding tale of Sleeping Beauty starring Grand panto favourite Steve Royle. Tickets go on sale on Friday 3rd December at 2pm… A beautiful Princess pricks her finger on a spindle wheel which has been cursed by the evil Carabosse at her 18th Birthday party. Can the Good Fairy's magical spell break the curse? The Princess can only be awoken by true love's kiss. Will she find her true love and live happily ever after? The fabulous family pantomime at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is always a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with stunnin...