INTERVAL Magazine | Summer 2018

BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE

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blackpoolgrand.co.uk ISSUE THREE

BEAUTY AND

THE BEAST INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS

BLAK WHYTE GRAY

FROM THE EAST END OF LONDON TO

BLACKPOOL’S GRAND… Blackpool’s Grand Theatre has announced that internationally renowned producer Martin Dodd for UK Productions will be presenting, for the very first time, Beauty and The Beast as this year’s grand pantomime.

The theatre is delighted to announce that the 2017 National Television Award Winner ‘Best Newcomer’ Danny Walters will play the part of The Prince (Beast) in this year’s spectacular pantomime.

In May 2017, it was announced Danny would be appearing in the award-winning BBC soap opera, EastEnders, as a regular character Keanu Taylor. The 24-year-old actor was awarded the Best Newcomer gong at last year’s National Television Awards. Danny beat off stiff competition from Coronation Street’s Rob Mallard (Daniel Osbourne), Emmerdale’s Ned Porteous (Tom Waterhouse) and Hollyoaks’ Nathan Morris (Milo Entwistle) to claim the award.

We asked Danny how did it feel to be voted for by so many of the British public as ‘Best Newcomer’ at the 2017 NTA’s, being your first soap performance? Danny said, ‘I was extremely grateful that my performance and the character I play on EastEnders resonated with so many people across the UK.’

ON THE COVER BLACKPOOL GRAND THEATRE

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But the star’s appearance in EastEnders is not his first major TV role, before his soap debut, Danny was best known for playing stroppy teenager Tiger Dyke in hit ITV comedy Benidorm.

We asked Danny who inspired him, who his is icon, and why? He told us ‘I believe everyone’s icon should be their Greatest Self. Discover your own journey, not someone else’s.’

This isn’t the first appearance of a soap star at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre. Presenting many of soap’s top stars including; Tom Lister (Emmerdale), Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street), Danny Miller (Emmerdale) and most recently Mark Moraghan (Coronation Street).

Danny told us what excited him most about appearing in a Pantomime. He said, ‘Putting a smile on everyone’s faces, especially the children knowing it could be their first ever live performance. I feel it’s our duty to make it a wonderful night.’

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS

With it being Danny’s first Christmas in Blackpool, we asked him what is his ideal Christmas day? He told us ‘Eat loads, watch a Christmas movie, play games and repeat.’

We’re with you on that Danny!

Beauty and The Beast Fri 7 Dec 2018 to Sun 6 Jan 2019

DISCOVER MORE ONLINE

Danny Walters to play The Beast (Prince) in this year’s Grand pantomime Beauty and the Beast.

Also stars Steve Royle, Hayley Kay, Nick Wilton and further casting to be announced

BEAUTY AND

Joining Danny at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre this year is not one, but two radio legends, Steve Royle from BBC Radio Lancashire who will play Louis La Plonk, and the Voice of Blackpool and Grand Theatre gVlog presenter Hayley Kay returns as the Magical Fairy Bon Bon, and Nick Wilton will play this year’s Dame.

This will be Danny’s first visit to Blackpool, when asked how he was feeling he said, ‘You’re right, I’ve never been to Blackpool before, however I have heard great things about it.’

Fri 7 Dec to Sun 6 Jan.

THE BEAST

We asked him what was he most looking forward to about playing The Prince/Beast?

He replied, ‘The costume and the mask. I have done many stage performances however The Beast will be a challenging and fun role to play.’

Image Dan Collins at Third Avenue Photography.

BLAK WHYTE GRAY

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 brand new gifts ideas.

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

THE BEAST

Image Dan Collins at Third Avenue Photography.

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG The most fantasmagorical musical in the history of everything, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, celebrates 50 Years!

To celebrate 50 years one of the world’s favourite films, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the musical of the same name will be coming to Blackpool and will have audiences of all ages flying high with its mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance.

Brought to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre by Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company who have had huge success with Grease, Legally Blonde, Hairspray and Sister Act. Based on the beloved 1968 film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, and featuring an

unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is one family-friendly blockbuster that audiences will find “Truly Scrumptious.”

Filled with amazing stage spectacle and unforgettable songs, including the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang this is a high-flying, fun-filled adventure for the entire family.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Tue 25 to Sat 29 Sep

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

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

HIGHLIGHT

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (DESIGNER) This brand-new multi-sensory stage adaptation is brought to irresistible life in a contemporary, visceral interpretation of Bram Stoker’s book that includes all the familiar characters.

With breath-taking illusions and spine chilling effects, this classic tale of obsession and horror will keep you on the edge of your seat! We chat with Sean Cavanagh, Designer of the Touring Consortium Theatre Company’s Dracula.

Could you give us a short introduction to who you are and what shows you have worked on previously?

With Bram Stoker’s classic novel being so iconic, how did you imagine it in a contemporary world like today?

As a freelance I have designed over 500 shows, including major UK tours such as the musicals Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dreamboats and Petticoats, Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas and Dancing in the Streets. Over the years I have had a number of shows in London’s West End, including all of the above musicals and plays such as Of Mice and Men, the Tempest, African Snow and Never the Sinner.

I think that good theatre, almost by definition, because it is live, has a directness that should make it immediate and relevant, and therefore contemporary. The fact that it is iconic perhaps makes this a bit more difficult, largely because there’s a risk that everyone who sees the show may have their own assumptions as to how the play should be.

Where did the ideas for the Dracula set come from, what was the brief for this show and how did you start with the concept?

I guess that as with all theatre, the ideas stem from a fresh understanding of the play and the story. The specific brief for Dracula is that all the contributing elements should make an evening that is engaging but also disturbing.

As a designer, my main responsibility is to create a world on the stage where all the ideas and fears within the piece come together, and the narrative of the play is alive. So, my hope is that in my design there is a worrying sense of unease that resonates with our own religious fears and the way that we are in thrall to technology - a world out of step with itself - so that the scary story of Dracula feels uncomfortably close to the audience.

My intention is to make a design that surprises and breaks down these assumptions. I would like the audience to feel satisfied that they are getting what they instinctively hope for but are surprised and scared by aspects for which they are not prepared.

Obviously, this set is built for touring to different venues, how did this change the way you thought about your set?

If the design is right for the play, then it will be right in any space, large or small. But, of course, the reality of having to fit any design concept into a multitude of spaces is a challenge.

Once the concept is clear, I generally define a series of constraints, for example taking the shallowest stage, the narrowest proscenium, and any other technical constraints to create a “worse case footprint”. I then try to design the actual set to fit into that footprint. But because there is inevitably such an enormous range of venues on any tour, I also bear in mind the other end of the spectrum, particularly large prosceniums and difficult sightlines.

Ultimately, it’s about trying to achieve a reasonable balance of compromises to make sure that wherever the production is played, it functions both creatively and technically as the same product.

Which shows would you like to design in the future?

I think I’d love to have the opportunity to revisit some of the works of Shakespeare that I designed when I was younger, so I could discover new ideas that perhaps eluded me 20 years ago. Hamlet and the Tempest would be very interesting to work on again. But of the shows I never have had the chance to do, I would definitely like to work on some of the great early 20th Century masterpieces of political and musical theatre – Brecht’s Mahagonny would be a favourite.

For the full interview visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/gblog

Dracula, Tue 13 to Sat 17 Nov

SHAKESPEARE

ROMEO, ROMEO WHEREFORE ART THOU...

I’m Kate Waters, or Kombat Kate as I am better known, a theatre/ TV/film Fight Director, and I have choreographed the fights for the Royal Shakespeare Company production of Romeo and Juliet.

It’s important that my choreography is motivated by characters and story, and that it fits seamlessly in to a production. This production is modern, so our weapon of choice was knives, which in our current climate feels, unfortunately, very timely.

The violence in Romeo and Juliet is integral to the story and it was important for us to create a world that is chaotic, uneasy, unsettling, acrimonious and dangerous.

This first fight is difficult, it is there to show the two households at war, but no one dies despite weapons drawn. I didn’t want it to look like a scene from West Side Story, I wanted the audience to understand the world we created and the always present potential for fatality.

It’s a treat having a female play Mercutio, it adds such a different dynamic to the fight with Tybalt. Charlotte Josephine, who plays Mercutio, is a boxer (also my sport) so it seemed silly not

to exploit her skills. Mercutio plays Tybalt at his own game and is not afraid to challenge him.

Perhaps foolhardy because, as so often happens in a fight where weapons are brandished, there is only one outcome.

We were very keen to put a fight up on the cube and this one was perfect. It was very carefully choreographed and rehearsed, and I love it because it’s performed with such intensity and it’s so moving seeing Mercutio lose her life up there.

I was also very clear when it came to killing Tybalt that Romeo has just witnessed his friend die, he acts with a rage and grief that sends him in to an animalistic state. It’s so quick that even Romeo doesn’t know what he has done.

Within a few minutes peoples’ lives are changed forever. That is knife crime and is something we are all too familiar with. One action, with such devastating results.

Obviously, Romeo and Juliet is a joy to choreograph for a Fight Director, and when you work with such an innovative Director and creative cast the opportunities are endless.

ENJOY. Romeo and Juliet Tue 26 Feb to Sat 2 Mar Photography: Topher McGrillis

HEY THAT’S NEW! Brand new shows that have been announced!

BUDDY HOLLY & THE CRICKETERS

Fri 23 Nov Buddy Holly & The Cricketers present Holly at Christmas 2018.

BEYOND THE BARRICADE

Sun 10 Feb Beyond the Barricade is the UK’s longest running Musical Theatre Concert Tour delivering over two hours of the best of Broadway and the West End.

THE ROLLING STONES

Sun 17 Feb You can now relive all these classic hits in The Rolling Stones Story, a high energy concert celebrating the music of the World’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band.

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

ILLEGAL EAGLES

Sun 14 Apr The Illegal Eagles, the World’s Official No.1 Eagles Tribute, returns to The Grand in 2019.

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW...

Visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk or Call 01253 290 190

HIP HOP DANCE

DISCOVERING THE WORLD OF

BLAK WHYTE GRAY Michael ‘Mikey J’ Asante speaks about the ideas and motivation behind the work.

Will this work appeal to your loyal audiences and those who’ve never seen a Boy Blue show before - what can they expect?

The majority of our regular audiences are very loyal but are also of a similar age to us so we know they’re having the same sorts of thoughts and feelings about the world today.

But also, we aim to blur the worlds of hip-hop with all styles of dance ranging from contemporary to African (basically whatever expresses the emotion or vibe we are trying to convey at that moment), and hopefully in a more sophisticated, unique and abstract way we will bring something fresh and different to people who just enjoy dance as an art form.

Do you feel hip hop is in a time of change and evolution?

We’re really trying to push forward the idea that hip hop is not just about dancing to a track that is verse and chorus, it’s about self-expression. In the sense that we celebrate the free-styler, we celebrate the battler. Hip hop has no boundaries and no limits; it embraces every other style and does not discriminate. It will go where the creator, the choreographer, the dancer takes it. I think it’s in a beautiful space right now.

Kenrick (co-Artistic Director of Boy Blue) has said that the work has an ‘emotional’ aspect. Could you explain this?

We want to take people on their own personal journey. Everyone has their own ‘asylum’, their own angers and frustrations, so we hope people will relate to the three ‘spaces’ – the three sections – in their own way. It is essentially about the human experience! We are all in this together!

Michael ‘Mikey J Asante’ in conversation with Angie Smith, Theatre Producer, Barbican Centre– January 2017

Blak Whyte Gray, Thu 20 Sep

Discover more about our shows at blackpoolgrand.co.uk/whatson 7

FAMILY FAVOURITES There’s lots of Family Adventures coming up at The Grand this Autumn/ Winter season. With plenty of laughs, dancing and singing along why not check out some of our family highlights…

Teletubbies Sat 6 and Sun 7 Oct Join Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po in a show full of love and laughter as they explore the magical world of Teletubbyland.

Stick Man Wed 21 and Thu 22 Nov Touching, funny and utterly original, Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Stick Man is coming to Blackpool!

Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom Sat 30 and Sun 31 Mar 2019

BING LIVE SHOW We caught up with Bing Live director Will Tuckett as the tour heads out around the country and asked him how things are going.

So Will, how are things going?

Watching audiences around the country watching Bing Live has been a wonderful experience. When people are watching something and enjoying it, it’s one of the best things imaginable.

A little girl behind me stood on her mother’s lap the other day singing one of the songs in the show at the top of her lungs without much sense of tune or rhythm, but the look on her face and her mum’s face, and her grandpa’s… and the gusto with which she joined in… she was just totally loving it without any filter whatsoever! If you could take that home, that joy and energy, and pop it in a drawer so you could take it out whenever things felt a bit blue… well then you’d never have another grey day for the rest of your life.

Join Ben and Holly, and their friends on this exciting, enchanting and magical musical adventure packed full of games, songs and laughter.

How has it been working with the Bing Live team bringing Bing to life with Puppetry?

Tahra Zafar (The Bing Live Puppet and Costume designer) is an incredible collaborator. Not only is she very, very experienced from her time working cross a myriad of projects involving puppets and creature creation on Star Wars, Harry Potter and with Jim Henson, but she is also one of the most open and generous creative people one could hope to meet.

Working out how to transfer 2D characters into a 3D world is never straightforward and we spent a lot of time in her studio working out dimensions for scale, puppet handles, grips, harnesses… and that’s before she starts looking at the mechanics to make the puppets blink, walk, stretch, have ears that move… the list goes on and on! Wonderfully, when you look at the puppets you would never be aware of the complicated inner structures but that is the amazing thing about both Tahra and her incredibly talented team. They make the imagined real which is a pretty awesome skill!

Bing Live, Sat 2 and Sun 3 Feb 2019

THE GRAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT Are you looking for something to do with the whole family this Christmas?

Poulton-le-Fylde Band return to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre with the heart-warming Grand Christmas Concert – a fabulous festive treat for all the family.

Tue 18 Dec

WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY? The Whitney Houston Show is a critically acclaimed live concert honouring the talent, music and memory of Whitney Houston.

Featuring the breathtaking vocals of Belinda Davids, this is a beautifully crafted homage to one of the world’s most revered singers.

The Whitney Houston Show Sat 3 Nov

According to Smooth Radio the best Whitney Houston songs as voted for by you: 1 I Will Always Love You 2 I Have Nothing 3 I Wanna Dance with Somebody 4 The Greatest Love of All 5 One Moment in Time 6 How Will I Know 7 I’m Every Woman 8 Saving All My Love for You 9 My Love is Your Love

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.

DESIGN: THE NU AGENCY

10 Didn’t We Almost Have it All