INTERVAL Magazine | Winter 2017

TAKE TIME OUT AND ENJOY THE NEW

F REE

|

W INT E R

20 1 7

JASON MANFORD MUDDLE CLASS MANFORD is back!

With his Hysterical new show.

BEAUTIFUL BALLET Dancers and musicians from the Russian State Ballet of Siberia. blackpoolgrand.co.uk

SUMMERS COMING TO AN END AND WE’RE ALL THINKING… YEP YOU GOT IT…

CHRISTMAS!

It’s fast approaching… Who’s going to be cooking the Turkey [or maybe nut roast!] and what will you get aunty who seems to just about have everything? You know she’ll give you that stare when you present ‘smellies’ for the sixth year in a row… Well, we’ve made it easy-peasy for you to find the perfect answer for anyone - whatever they like!

SEASON HIGHLIGHT

STUNNING AND EMOTIONALLY CHARGED Opera & Ballet International proudly presents Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.

Back by overwhelming public demand, the award-winning opera Madama Butterfly returns to The Grand featuring exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.

Introducing the celebrated soprano Maria HeeJung Kim* from the Korean National Opera, Seoul and the international soprano Alyona Kistenyova* Madama Butterfly is sung in Italian with English subtitles *Cast Subject to Change.

Wed 21 Feb 2018

Opera & Ballet International will also present Verdi’s La Traviata on Tue 20 Feb 2018.

ON THE COVER

DISCOVER MORE ONLINE

NEW English National Ballet’s My First Ballet Swan Lake. Enjoy one of the most famous ballets of all time together, in this beautifully adapted new version for children aged three upwards.

Sat 5 - Sun 6 May 2018

2 Discover more about our shows at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/whatson

This season is packed-full of incredible shows from dramatic dance to thrilling drama and side splitting comedy. There’s something for everyone and some ideal Christmas gift ideas.

Head to our What’s On at blackpoolgrand.co.uk

SIX YEARS OF EXCELLENCE We’re proud to have won the Certificate Of Excellence for the last six years from TripAdvisor.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all, our customers, for this incredible support giving us a 92% rating of Very Good or Excellent.

Discover what makes us special visit tripadvisor.co.uk

PAGE TURNER TO EPIC PLAY The best page-to-stage since War Horse.

INSIGHTS PHOTOGRAPHIC SESSIONS Following an outstanding West End Run, the unforgettable theatrical tour de force The Kite Runner comes to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre in 2018. Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel, this powerful story has been adapted into a stunning new stage production. A haunting tale of friendship which spans cultures and continents, it follows one man’s journey to confront his past and find redemption.

‘The Kite Runner Soars.’

Love photography or want to take up a new skill for 2018? Why not join internationally renowned photographer Sean Conboy on one of our unique Photographic Session at The Grand.

Following sell-out success of the Sessions over the past 5 years we have decided to increase the number of sessions per year and in addition, create a brand new more focused ADVANCED Photographic Session allowing more seasoned photographers the time and opportunity to talk to a leading photographer in his field as well as have the time to photograph such an incredible building.

THE INDEPENDENT

Tue 22 to Sat 26 May

EVERYONE HAS A DARK SIDE

DON’T MISS A twisted tale of nerve-jangling horror, this adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic gothic thriller Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Phil Daniels (Les Miserables, This House, EastEnders) stars as the gripping Dr Jekyll and his alter-ego Mr Hyde.

Tue 27 to Sat 31 Mar

Sean has been the official photographer for The Grand for many years and his work is regularly featured in all our media as well as many international magazines.

Tue 16 Jan 2018 ADVANCED Photographic Session Mon 22 and Tue 23 Jan 2018 Photographic Sessions

WHY NOT TRY

A FEEL-GOOD PINK HIT! The smash hit Broadway and West End Musical based on the best loved movie starring Reese Witherspoon follows beautiful and popular sorority sister Elle Woods in Legally Blonde The Musical.

Starring Rita Simons as Paulette Bonafonte. Simons is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in BBC’s EastEnders for which she has won numerous awards and is one of Britain’s best loved actresses.

Joining Simons is Lucie Jones, who represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with ‘Never Give Up On You’ and recently starred as Maureen in the 20th Anniversary tour of Rent, and a finalist in X Factor (2009). Bill Ward best known for playing James Barton in Emmerdale and Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street will play professor Callahan.

Mon 9 to Sat 14 Apr 2018 WINNER! BEST NEW MUSICAL (2011)

Discover more about our shows at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/whatson 3

PERRIER AWARD NOMINEE

JASON MANFORD MUDDLE CLASS Muddle Class promises to feature a wealth of new material about growing up ‘working class’ then finding, over the years, that part of him has become ‘middle class’ – causing much confusion!

Delivered with Jason’s amiable charm and captivating wit, this is a show not to be missed.

Somebody said to me on my Facebook fan page, ‘it’s been ages since you’ve toured’. I thought ‘no way, it was last year, wasn’t it? Anyway, long story short, they were right, it was years ago! I just got fooled cos I’ve been on tour doing musicals and the last tour is repeated on Dave ja Vu 13 times a day!

So, I’ve been putting some stuff together, looking at my life and how it’s changed over the years, how the world has changed and how my parents haven’t changed a bit! It’s going to be a great tour and I can’t wait to see you there.’

Sat 27 and Sun 28 Jan 2018

PS. Jason’s debut album A Different Stage is out now – you might just notice your local Grand Theatre as the cover shot!

8 out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), The Nightly Show (ITV1), Sunday Night at the Palladium (ITV1), Live at the Apollo (BBC One), Have I Got News For You, (BBC One), QI (BBC Two) and The Royal Variety Performance (ITV1) have all helped establish Jason as a nationally known comic.

SONY AWARD WINNER

MILTON JONES IS OUT THERE No, really out there and this time he hasn’t just forgotten his keys.

He’s holding up the mirror of truth to society, and he can see right through it, which means it’s probably just a window.

In his brand new show he’ll be putting his foot down and lifting the lid on the pedal bin of lies of the media. He will also be scaling the heights of fashion at the risk of falling into a terrible cravat.

Milton Jones is regularly on Mock the Week (BBC2), has appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1), Live at the Apollo (BBC1) and he has headlined Dave’s One

Fri 9 Mar 2018

4 Don’t forget about our Under 26s Membership! Find out more at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/under26

AN EXCITING NEW ADAPTATION OF RUDYARD KIPLING’S FAMILY CLASSIC.

AN UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE The Jungle Book, comes to life in this colourful new show brought to you by the team behind the huge hit Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild.

Mowgli the man cub battles for survival in this heart-warming coming-of-age story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle.

With the help of his animal friends, Bagheera the panther, Baloo the bear and Kaa the python, Mowgli outwits the cruel and powerful tiger, Shere Khan.

Tue 8 to Sat 12 May 2018

FAMILY TIME

Join us on a great family adventures, shows are packed with memorable characters, new songs and brilliant captivating storytelling. Be it survival, adventure or huge laughs, we have it all!

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR The most enchanting rags-to-riches fairy tale of them all Cinderella graces the stage of The Grand Theatre this Christmas as Blackpool’s best pantomime returns.

This year’s cast includes JJ Hamblett (Union J) who will star as Prince Charming, Melanie Walters (Gavin and Stacey) as Fairy Godmother, Olivia Birchenough (Channel 5’s Milkshake) as the beautiful Cinderella and Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph returning as the Ugly Sisters all starring alongside panto favourite the incredible Steve Royle (BBC Radio Lancashire) who will be making his 15th annual appearance starring as ‘Buttons’ and the dancers of Barbara Jackson Arts Centre.

A BIG ADVENTURE Peppa returns in Peppa Pig’s Adventure and she’s getting ready to go on an exciting camping trip to the woods with George and her school friends, Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe.

With lunch-boxes packed and Daddy Pig driving the bus, Peppa and friends are excited about their outdoor adventure, full of games, laughter and live music!

Sat 23 and Sun 24 June 2018

Tue 5 Dec to Sun 7 Jan 2018 Sat 9 and 16 Dec

Don’t forget about our Under 26s Membership! Find out more at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/under26 5

WINTER BEAUTY

Dancers and musicians from the Russian State Ballet of Siberia bring the shows to life with exquisite dancing, beautiful sets and glorious scores played live.

SNOW MAIDEN Protected from the outside world by Father Frost, the exquisite Snow Maiden plays innocently amongst the dancing snowflakes in the enchanted Land of Frost.

Based on a traditional folk-tale, set in the snowcovered landscape of rural Russia, this seasonal sparkler follows the Snow Maiden as she dances into the human world. Captivated by the colourful village and the people who live there, she ventures too far and is swept up by feelings of love, temptation and betrayal. When finally, she surrenders herself completely and warms to love, her heart melts in a tragic embrace.

Fri 12 Jan 2018

THE NUTCRACKER This most famous of 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.

Sat 13 Jan 2018

SWAN LAKE 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.

Sun 14 Jan 2018

6 See all the latest trailers on our gPLAYER blackpoolgrand.co.uk/gplayer

SWEET MUSIC Choose from our incredibly eclectic selection of music.

JOE BROWN

STRIKING DANCE

FAIR IS FOUL, & FOUL IS FAIR Multi-award-winning Mark Bruce Company present a striking dance theatre adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a tragic descent into the darkest sides of ourselves.

With a history that spans music hall, skiffle, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Theatre, Films, TV, Radio and even Circus (his Grandfather performed with Buffalo Bill), there aren’t many that can claim such an entertaining background. He is one the very few to have successfully traversed the years and the genres and still be contemporary.

Fri 26 Jan 2018

Goaded by the whispers of demons, the Macbeths unleash murder for their own gains and set in motion their path to madness and self-destruction, unravelling events in a nightmare they cannot control.

With a cast of ten and designed by the creative team that brought you Dracula and The Odyssey, this dance theatre production realises a beautifully harrowing vision of an internal wasteland formed from the pursuit of power through ruthless means.

Tue 17 and Wed 18 Apr 2018

SON OF A PREACHER MAN Directed and choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood, Son of a Preacher Man stars Michelle Gayle (EastEnders) and Alice Barlow (Hollyoaks) comes to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre this March!

Tue 20 to Sat 24 Mar 2018

Founded in 1966 by Raymond Gubbay, Raymond Gubbay Ltd is recognised as being at the forefront of promoting and producing popular classical music, opera, ballet and events in the United Kingdom. The company now regularly presents over 500 performances each year in London, around the UK and abroad.

THE RAT PACK LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS In the company of three of the world’s most popular entertainers, the fabulous Burrelli Sisters and The Rat Pack Big Band, the audience will experience Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin performing at the famous Sands hotel.

Tue 24 to Sat 28 Apr 2018

See all the latest trailers on our gPLAYER blackpoolgrand.co.uk/gplayer 7

20 TH CENTURY BOY Featuring some of the greatest rock songs ever written, 20th Century Boy tells the life story of the legendary Bolan and his band T. Rex. This hit musical, inspired by the life of rock legend Marc Bolan, returns to the stage to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic star’s untimely death.

This show exposes some of the myths and takes the audience on a tearful yet feel-good journey through Marc’s fascinating life, cut short by a cruel twist of fate.

At his peak, Bolan was arguably the biggest rock star the UK had ever seen. Rocker, poet, electric warrior, king of glam and godfather of punk – Marc Bolan became a superstar and the press dubbed him “Bigger than the Beatles”.

Before his tragic death in 1977, a few days short of his 30th birthday, Bolan lived life at breakneck speed, creating a series of iconic images, a string of number one hits and an army of obsessive fans.

20th Century is a glorious celebration of glam rock at its colourful best!

Featuring classic T.Rex 70s hits Ride a White Swan, Metal Guru, I Love to Boogie, 20th Century Boy and many more.

COMMUNITY FOCUS The incredible talent of our local Amateurs cannot go without praise.

Try something new you won’t be disappointed… coming in 2018.

ME AND MY GIRL

PRISCILLA

Blackpool & The Fylde Light Opera present the hit musical and Olivier Award-winning Musical of the Year, Me and My Girl. Set in the late 1930s it tells the story of an unapologetically unrefined cockney gentleman named Bill Snibson, who learns that he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford.

LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE. DRESS ACCORDINGLY! Blackpool Operatic Player’s present the feathered fabulousness, and sequinned splendour that is Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical. Based on the Oscar-winning film, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard bus bound for Alice Springs.

Wed 30 May to Sat 2 Jun 2018

Wed 4 to Sat 7 Apr 2018

Don’t forget to explore the Grand Theatre, Blackpool in virtual 3D with #goVR. 1 www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/goVR 2 Click the

icon in the virtual tour window

3 Follow the on-screen instructions

Grand Theatre Blackpool, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT | Box Office t. 01253 290190 | e. box@blackpoolgrand.co.uk INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS AND OFFERS MAY ONLY BE VALID AT SELECTED TIMES. ALL TICKETS SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY. SOME SHOWS HAVE AGE GUIDANCE. © Blackpool Grand Theatre (Arts & Entertainments) Ltd. Registered number (England and Wales) 2825229. Registered Charity No. 1022754.