Blackpool’s Grand Theatre celebrates its pearl anniversary with a string of spectacular shows! Joining the Grand’s 30th anniversary celebrations are fabulous folk queen Kate Rusby; inspired operetta company Opera della Luna with a wonderfully witty production of HMS PINAFORE; musical medley masters Beyond the Barricade with a brilliant new show; The Russian State Ballet of Siberia with the heartbreaking love story Romeo and Juliet; the dynamic Drifters with a non-stop concert; the incredible balletLORENT with the daringly different new dance piece Blood, Sweat & Tears; legendary comedian Ken Dodd and Pop Goes the 80’s with a fun-filled dance party back in time.
Book your seats now for the eight exceptional productions:
The defining voice of contemporary English folk music, Kate Rusby’s exquisite interpretations of traditional songs and self-penned tunes have won her an audience far beyond the genre. Kate will be performing songs from her much anticipated new album Make The Light, together with much loved favourites chosen from across her entire back catalogue. Kate’s wondrous singing, her hugely engaging Yorkshire wit and her new ensemble’s marvellously intuitive support ensure that audiences will be treated to a truly uplifting concert experience.
Sunday 20th March at 7.30pm. Tickets £19.
The original and exciting Opera della Luna company makes a welcome return with its celebrated production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS PINAFORE. In true Opera della Luna style, eight multi-talented singer/actors become crew, chorus and principals in a brilliantly fast and hilarious production of this famous comic opera. Packed to the brim with toe-tapping tunes, the wit and verve of this performance will prove beyond doubt that Opera della Luna has now established itself as one of the country’s leading exponents of operetta and comic music-theatre.
Monday 21st March at 7.30pm. Tickets from £16.
Beyond the Barricade brings you all the greatest songs and moments of the West End musicals and features music from all the top shows, including all the popular family favourites, sung by past principal performers from Les Misérables backed by a live band. This truly talented cast will perform a brand new 2011 production which includes songs from Phantom of the Opera, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Miss Saigon , Love Never Dies, The Jersey Boys and many more, climaxing with a spectacular finale from, of course, Les Misérables.
Tuesday 22nd March at 7.30pm. Tickets £21.
Don’t miss The Russian State Ballet & Orchestra of Siberia’s stunning production of the everlasting tale of love and loss Romeo and Juliet. The greatest love story ever danced, Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy is brought beautifully to life in dazzling style with lavish sets and costumes. The gloriously gifted performers of one of Russia’s foremost ballet companies flawlessly recreate Renaissance Verona with all its bitter feuds, passionate encounters and tragic twists of fate.
A 30 Year Grand Celebration - Wednesday 23rd March at 7.30pm. Tickets from £19.50.
Dance the night away with a dynamic concert from The Drifters. One of the biggest selling and longest serving bands of all time, the line up has undergone many changes and included icons Clyde McPhatter, Ben E King, Rudy Lewis and Johnny Moore. Who can forget classics such as Saturday Night at the Movies, There Goes My First Love, Under The Boardwalk, You're More Than A Number in My Little Red Book, Kissing In The Back Row and many more? This non-stop show combines classic songs, top flight choreography and world class musicians plus some of the group's newer material from recent releases.
Thursday 24th March at 7.30pm. Tickets £25.
Amazing award-winning dance company balletLORENT presents a new full length production Blood, Sweat & Tears - an exploration of the darkness and light of extreme love. As a couple experience a gentle and all-consuming love for their newborn baby, they begin to fight for affection and attention from each other. Tender and powerful, with magnificent movement vocabulary sourced from both ballet and wrestling, Blood Sweat & Tears is inspired by the ups and downs of unconditional love. Unmissable.
Friday 25th March at 7.30pm. Tickets - Adults £15, Children £7.50. Schools £5.
Get ready for five hours of rib-tickling fun at the Grand! The King Of Mirth Ken Dodd OBE is once again leaving the Diddy Men in the Jam Butty Mines of Knotty Ash to bring his famous Happiness Show. Another evening full of plumptiousness is promised from Professor Chucklebutty, who has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the prestigious British Comedy Awards and also features in the Guinness Book of Records for telling 1,500 jokes in three and a half hours. That’s more than seven jokes a minute!
Saturday 26th March at 7pm. Tickets from £16. (Please note this show runs for approx 5 hours)
Slip in your shoulder pads and celebrate the 1980s with Pop Goes The 80’s boasting a phenomenal cast of singers, dancers and musicians performing Gold, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Stand And Deliver, 99 Red Balloons, Rio, Livin' On A Prayer, Hey Mickey and Thriller to name but a few. Breathtaking lights, dazzling laser shows, a giant video wall and enough lavish costumes for any Material Girl plus a show-stopping performance of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal will complete this 80s experience from the birth of Electro-Pop, through the age of soft rock, right to the flamboyance of the New Romantics.
Sunday 27th March at 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50.
For full 2011 show information and bookings call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190, click on the website http://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/ or visit the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.
