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The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Blackpool Grand Theatre

Coming up at Blackpool Grand Theatre!

From variety, musicals and comedy giants to Shakespeare, ballet, drama and dance. Blackpool Grand Theatre caters for every age, pocket and personality. Take a look at what’s coming up and book your tickets today!

Heritage Tours at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Backstage Secrets Tours – 10.30am on 13 Oct & 19 Dec. 90min | £20pp
Stand on the raked stage and discover the backstage workings of theatre. (Tour includes Stalls, Dress Circle, Walkway, Royal Box and Stage Door. Plus Fly Floor, Gallery, Dressing Rooms, Matcham Court & Stage). This tour ends with delicious cake and tea in the Dress Circle Bar.

Grand Opulence Tour – 11am & 12 noon on 21 November. 45min | £12.50pp
Discover the theatres history, front-of-house Grandeur and Opulence. (Tour includes Stalls, Dress Circle, Walkway, Royal Box & Stage Door).

Book your tickets here. Call 01253 290 190 or pop-in to the Box Office to book (& please mention Visit Fylde Coast!)

Friends of the Grand Theatre Coffee Mornings

The Friends of The Grand were formed in 1973 to save Blackpool’s beautiful Grand Theatre from demolition. An independent organisation, it’s provided financial and voluntary support to the theatre for nearly half a century. Early Friends included such names as Violet Carson (Ena Sharples), Alistair Cooke, Leslie Crowther, Tim West and Prunella Scales. Billy Pearce, Johnnie Casson and founding member Sir Ken Dodd OBE. Over the last 25 years, The Friends have contributed in excess of one million pounds towards much-needed Grand Theatre projects. Including the provision of new carpets, seating and technical equipment.

The Friends of The Grand hold a popular monthly Coffee Morning. They take place at 10.30am on the third Thursday of each month. Tickets are £5 and include choice of coffee or tea and a delicious cake selection. Each includes a fascinating live speaker and of course the famous Friends raffle with the chance to snap up some great prizes. Here’s the forthcoming guest speakers!

  • 21 November is Pat Abram presenting the 200th anniversary of the RNLI.

Annual membership of Friends of The Grand is just £20, with an under-18s and over-65 price of £10 per year. For more info please visit: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/join-and-support-us/how-to-support-us/friends-of-the-grand

Cinderella – Pantomime 2024-25 at Blackpool Grand Theatre!

6 December to 5 January including matinee and evening performances. Accessible performances are also available.
Please call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for bookings and further information.

Cinderella 2024 panto at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Blackpool Grand Theatre announced that TV and stage sensation HAYLEY TAMADDON will be casting an enchanting spell this Christmas as the glittering Fairy Godmother! And Blackpool’s very own Kitty Harris will thrill her millions of TikTok followers as CINDERELLA! She’s digital dynamite, now world famous on TikTok for her hilarious comedy sketches and behind-the-scenes glimpses into daily life. Her unique blend of humour and storytelling hasearned her a whopping 1.2million followers! She’s also trained in musical theatre and has graced the stage in top musicals from Greatest Days to Chicago and is currently starring in the smash-hit UK tour of Burlesque the Musical.

Kitty’s debut on the famous Blackpool Grand Theatre stage marks a special moment in entertainment history. She’ll appear at the very same theatre as her father – the late ventriloquist Keith Harris. He performed to delighted audiences for many years with his hilarious puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey. Keith also still holds the record for the number of seats sold in a summer season at the Grand Theatre for his legendary five-month run in 1983!

Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre presents Cinderella Pantomime 2024-5. It’s one of the most enchanting rags-to-riches fairy tales of them all.

Starring Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Comic and Panto favourite Steve Royle as Buttons. Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph return once more as the incredibly gorgeous Ugly Sisters, Melody and Harmony Hard-Up. PLUS an all-star cast and of course, the Sensational Shetland Ponies…

Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime, Cinderella, features sumptuous costumes, magnificent scenery and the unmissable and magical rags-to-riches transformation. The fabulous family pantomime at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is always a laugh-a-minute extravaganza! Enjoy stunning sets, top musical hits, fantastic costumes and exciting special effects for audiences both young and old!

What’s On at Blackpool Grand Theatre – in 2024

Cinderella – Pantomime 2024-25 at Blackpool Grand Theatre!

6 December to 5 January including matinee and evening performances. Accessible performances are also available.

Cinderella 2024 panto at Blackpool Grand Theatre

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

Strawberry Jack: A Tale from Paradise Heights – 7 & 8 Dec at 7.30pm

Strawberry Jack: A Tale from Paradise Heights at The Grand

From the award winning writer/director of The Haunting of Blaine Manor, written & Directed by Joe O’Byrne. THIS SHOW WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE BLACKPOOL GRAND STUDIO

A childhood accident left Strawberry Jack Grundy horrifically scarred – a wild child that grew into a ferocious man. Once the War Horse of Paradise Heights, recent events have stacked the deck firmly against the One Eyed Jack, doorman of The Ace of Spades Nightclub. He is now a fading shadow of the man he once was. He blames himself for the death of Corny McGeehan and he’s worried about his stepfather, Mel, who says they are being visited regularly – by an angel, an angel named Shirley, an apparition encountered by others on the streets of Paradise Heights. Who, or what, is she?

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

I’m Frank Morgan – Rewired: A Tale from Paradise Heights – 14 & 15 Dec at 7.30pm

I’m Frank Morgan – Rewired: A Tale from Paradise Heights

From the award winning writer and director of The Haunting of Blaine Manor, written & directed by Joe O’Byrne. THIS SHOW WILL BE PERFORMED IN THE BLACKPOOL GRAND STUDIO

Frank’s a hard man in a dirty old town. Loan shark, poker player, owner of The Ace of Spades Club in Paradise Heights. He’s taken on some of the hardest that have ever drew breath, they’ve all ended up broken…or buried. But a new threat has risen, an immigrant crime wave has threatened his position at the top of the hill. Frank’s never been one to walk away from a fight…

Tonight he’s walled up inside his club, and you are trapped in there with him as the ghosts and the demons are queuing up to take him down. But there’s still some bite left in the shark, wounded and raging – he’s at his most dangerous.​ And waiting in the dark is his toughest opponent of all…

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

Grand Christmas Concert – Mon 16 Dec at 8pm

A truly magical start to your festive season with the Grand Christmas Concert. Poulton le Fylde Band hosted by the wonderful Hayley Kay.

Join us for a truly magical start to your festive season! The beloved Poulton-le-Fylde Brass Band returns to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre for the heartwarming Grand Christmas Concert, hosted by the wonderful Hayley Kay.

This festive tradition is a delight for all ages, offering a perfect evening out for the whole family. With joyful carols and all your favourite Christmas melodies, the Poulton-le-Fylde Brass Band will fill the theatre with the spirit of Christmas in grand style.

Don’t miss this cherished Christmas event – a heart-warming evening to make memories that will last a lifetime!

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

What’s On at Blackpool Grand Theatre – in 2025

Romeo And Juliet – Mon 13 Jan at 7.30pm

Raymond Gubbay presents Romeo And Juliet Ballet at The Grand. Varna International Ballet returns for a new season

Raymond Gubbay presents Romeo and Juliet. Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2025 brought to life by magical special effects

Shakespeare’s tale of primal passion and timeless tragedy is brought to life by Prokofiev’s soaring score, set in bustling Renaissance Verona and with an emotionally charged choreography that befits the world’s greatest love story. From the grandeur of the masked ball to the intimacy of the lovers’ balcony, this star-crossed story of duels, bitter family feuds and love that cannot be, is unmissable.

Performed by Varna International Ballet. Accompanied by a live orchestra Varna International Ballet Orchestra

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

Swan Lake – Tues 14 Jan at 7.30pm

Raymond Gubbay presents Swan Lake Ballet at The Grand. Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2025 brought to life by magical special effects.

Raymond Gubbay presents Swan Lake. Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2025 brought to life by magical special effects

Swan Lake is the greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From Odile, the temptress in black tulle as she seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision to the spellbound purity of the swan queen, Odette as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

Performed by Varna International Ballet. Accompanied by a live orchestra Varna International Ballet Orchestra

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

The Nutcracker – Weds 15 Jan at 2.30 & 7.30pm

The Nutcracker Ballet at The Grand

Raymond Gubbay presents The Nutcracker. Varna International Ballet returns for a new season in 2025 brought to life by magical special effects.

This most famous fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall outside, the warm glow of the open fire sends flickering shadows across the boughs of the Christmas tree and all the presents beneath. When midnight strikes, we are swept away to a fairy-tale world where nothing is quite as it seems, toy dolls spring to life, the Mouse-king and his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker Prince and we travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins…

Performed by Varna International Ballet. Accompanied by a live orchestra Varna International Ballet Orchestra

BOOK YOUR TICKETS – Call the Box Office on 01253 290 190. (Please mention you saw it on Visit Fylde Coast!)  or visit the website

Blackpool is the home of entertainment

Presiding over it is the ‘Grand’ Old Lady. From opera, ballet and Shakespeare to variety, musicals and comedy giants. The Grand Theatre caters for every age, pocket and personality.

Go into the Victorian auditorium of the Blackpool Grand Theatre and you’ll understand what ‘the glorious Grand’ means. This Frank Matcham designed masterpiece offers ornate, gilded plasterwork, baroque ceiling and cavorting cherubs. The cantilevered balconies give every seat a clear view of the stage.

125 Glorious Years!

The Grade II* listed Grand Theatre celebrated its 125th Birthday in 2019. The doors opened on 23 July 1894 – now one of the few surviving examples of the work of Frank Matcham.

The Grand Theatre celebrates 120 years

The Grand Theatre has hosted a multitude of stars since its opening. From Lily Langtree to Michael Macintyre, Gracie Fields to Ken Dodd, Arthur Askey to Lee Evans…and the list goes on!

The Grand Theatre celebrates 120 years
Photo: Sean Conboy

It attracts the very best in award-winning touring companies. Including The National Theatre, English Touring Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Opera and Ballet International and the Russian State Ballet.

A varied programme

It’s a programme of quality drama, comedy, dance and children’s theatre at The Grand Theater Blackpool. They also play host to the outstanding talents of local performers from groups across Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde.

By the early 1960s theatres across Britain were closing due to loss of audience to television. In July 1972 the then owners, the Tower Company, applied for permission to demolish it. In its place they proposed to build a department store. By then, the theatre is listed as a Grade II* building. So there had to be a full public enquiry.

Early in 1973 the Friends of the Grand Theatre was formed. After legal and financial wrangling, together with EMI and the local council, put together a deal. It involved leasing the theatre for £10,000 per annum and final purchase for £250,000.

Grand Returns to its Original Footprint – for the first time in more than 40 years

The Friends of The Grand, after thirty-five years of fundraising, have, at last, achieved their long-held ambition to return the Grand Theatre to its original architectural footprint.

John Buck, Friends of Blackpool Grand Theatre Chairman

When Frank Matcham, the famous Victorian theatre designer, was commissioned to create the Grand Theater Blackpool in 1893 its owner, Thomas Sergenson, briefed him to incorporate a number of small shops on Church Street into the design.

However, back in 1981, when the Friends purchased the Grade II* listed building from the then owners, EMI, these units were not included in the sale. Ever since, the Friends have been saving in a special fund for the day when it might be possible to buy them.

Well, that day has come and John Buck, Chairman of the Friends of the Grand said “it’s like a dream come true. We’ve been saving for this day for years; selling raffle tickets, lapel badges, holding coffee mornings and, even as recently as April we received a bequest from our long-serving Treasurer, Alan Sears, who sadly died earlier this year. It came with the specific instruction that it should only be spent of the purchase of the shops. Alan will be smiling down on us this day”.

Reopening The Grand Theater Blackpool

John was one of the original group who raised the money to save the theatre from demolition in 1973.  Along with other passionate and dedicated Friends, he cleaned, repaired and painted in their spare time. They got the building back on its feet ready for its reopening and dedication from HRH The Prince of Wales in 1981.

“We were invited to buy the shops back in the 1990’s” remembers John. “But, back then, the owners wanted more than a million pounds for them. We thought we’d never be able to raise that much. And we were right! Obviously, times have changed, and, thankfully, we’ve been able raise enough to buy them for less than half that price”. With the purchase complete, the deeds of the properties will be donated to the Grand Theatre Trust. The heritage conservation charity which owns and cares for this beautiful historic building.

Roger Lloyd Jones is Chairman of the Trust. He said “there are many, many people who have made this wonderful purchase possible. I would like to thank everyone who has helped. The theatre is now 122 years old and, as you can imagine, needs constant care and attention. We hope the shops will prove an asset to the theatre. It’s a small but much-needed rental income to be re-invested in the upkeep of this precious architectural gem”.

The Friends of the Grand is a registered Charity.

The Friends of the Grand volunteer their services as Front of House staff, envelope-stuffers and runners of the theatre’s coffee stall. Last year, they provided 13,174 hours of voluntary service for the theatre at a value of £88,000.

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