A GRAND CHILDREN’S SHOW THAT WILL GET A ROAR OF APPROVAL

Harry & His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs brings Gigantosauras-sized adventures to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March.

Join Harry & His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March and enjoy a fabulously fun children’s show you can really get your teeth into!

It happened two days ago, in the attic with Gran. It was a moment that Harry would remember for the rest of his life. Harry shone his torch inside a dusty old box, that must have lain untouched for millions of years, and there staring back at him were his six new best friends. Six toy dinosaurs!!!

This brand new show from Premier Stage Productions Ltd takes us into the imagination of five-year-old Harry, whose toy dinosaurs are as real to him as the bucket he carries them in. By jumping into his bucket, Harry transports himself and all the boys and girls into Dino World, where his six dinosaur toys become full-sized dino playmates, ready for all sorts of funny and exciting adventures.

Based on the bestselling children's books and top rated television show and produced by CCI entertainment Ltd, Harry & His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs is the adventure of a life time for 3-8 year olds.

Peek inside Harry's blue bucket and you'll discover a fantastic bunch of toy dinosaur pals named Taury, Trike, Pterence, Sid, Patsy, and Steggy. One-two-three…jump inside Harry's blue bucket and you'll discover a magical land where Harry and his dinosaur friends share laughs, good times, and daring adventures and solve the everyday problems a child must face. Jump Harry!

Harry & His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs will delight audiences at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th March at 10.30am and 2pm.

Tickets are £8 and are on sale now from the Grand Theatre Box Office. Family of four ticket also available for £30 for two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Call 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

• For what’s on this week at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre simply text GRAND to 82055. Standard text rates apply.


Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

A SUPERNATURAL SPRING AND SUMMER

It’s going to be a spooky summer if
Blackpool’s Supernatural Events has its way!

The creepy company, based at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, has announced its April to October 2008 diary of eerie events, which includes the return of Grand Ghost Tours to Blackpool Zoo and visits to two exciting new locations - Blackpool’s NORTH PIER THEATRE and Lytham’s LOWTHER PAVILION.

Supernatural Events is also celebrating the launch of an informative new website with features, photographs and online booking for all its events available at www.SupernaturalEvents.co.uk

Blackpool Zoo was the first location when Supernatural Events decided to present tours outside of the Grand Theatre, the company’s natural home. After a break of almost seven months, the terrifying tour returns to the site of the Blackpool Municipal Aerodrome which was in operation throughout World War II. There are to be three tours: Wednesday 30th April, Thursday 12th June and Wednesday 3rd September. All commence at 10pm, finishing around the witching hour of 12 midnight and participants will have the opportunity to investigate the original hangers, including the elephant house, and control tower for themselves!

There will be three visits to Lytham’s Lowther Pavilion this summer; Thursday 10th April, Sunday 13th July and Monday 22nd September, all from 10pm to 12 midnight. This small theatre, which seats just over 450 people, was built in 1921 and renovated in 1982. These will be the first ghost tours ever held at Fylde Borough’s only theatre.

North Pier Theatre is another new venue to join Supernatural Events’ long list of ghostly locations. There will be a tour every month from April through to September; on Fridays 25th April, 30th May, 20th June, 28th July and 29th August plus Monday 29th September. All tours begin at 10pm.

Two further dates have been added to the Blackpool Illuminations Depot tours, recently announced and now sold out! Wednesday 9th July and Monday 18th August, both commencing at 10pm, are now on sale!

Ghost Tours are also being arranged at Blackpool’s Opera House, Winter Gardens and Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks venues; further details will be announced shortly.

Grand Ghost Tours return “home” to the Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Sunday 6th April, Tuesday 13th May, Thursday 5th June, Sunday 24th August and Friday 12th September to investigate the ghostly goings-on in the auditorium and stage areas. Tours commence at 10pm, with exception of Thursday 5th June which begins at 11pm.

There will also be two Overnight Investigations at the Grand Theatre on Friday 4th July and Saturday 9th August, when those who are lucky enough to get their hands on the much sought-after tickets, will have the opportunity to investigate the theatre for six hours (11pm to 5am), using paranormal investigative equipment.

Supernatural Events is very pleased to announce that Medium Helen Chadwick will be presenting her Spiritual Evenings of Clairvoyance at the Lawrence House Studio at the Grand Theatre on Friday 18th April and Wednesday 29th October at 7.30pm. Helen has appeared at the venue on two previous occasions; both sell-outs, book your seats now!

From television’s Most Haunted and I’m Famous and Frightened, Psychic Medium Ian Lawman will be special guest on two Overnight Ghost Walks; on Friday 16th May from 12 midnight at the Grand Theatre and on Monday 27th October at the Spanish Hall Suite in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens. At both these nights, Ian will also be presenting psychic and meditation workshops.

To book your place, or for further information, on any of the above ghost tours and events, call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or online at www.supernaturalevents.co.uk or www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

YOU HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE… ANOTHER £10 GRAND TICKET OFFER

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is offering top price, opening night tickets for just £10 for the smash hit Motown spectacular
Dancing In The Streets

It’s another dazzling online deal from showseats.co.uk!

The all-singing, all-dancing Motown sensation Dancing in the Streets is back at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from Monday 21st April to Saturday 26th April. It’s Supreme entertainment!

And the Grand is offering 10 top price seats in the stalls for just £10 for Monday 21st April at 8pm as its latest monthly online offer. But you have only ten minutes to snap them up!!!

The £10 tickets go on sale on Monday 10th March at exactly 10am for just 10 minutes on the Grand Theatre’s sister website www.showseats.co.uk – a dedicated online booking service for the theatres of the Fylde. These specially priced tickets cannot be bought over the phone. Will you be one of the lucky 10 to grab a bargain?

If you miss out this time, never mind – visit showseats.co.uk again on April 10th at 10am for another great show offer. There will be another 10 seats available at just £10 on the 10th of each month for more sensational productions at the Grand. And don’t forget to pre register to save time!

Experience the energy, the excitement, the emotion and the electricity of Motown in the sensational hit show Dancing In The Streets, the spectacular celebration of classic music from the heart of the Motor City – Detroit!

Motown was a prominent force in breaking down barriers around the world and equally as important, was responsible for producing some of the world’s most influential and enduring songs of the 20th century.

Dancing In The Streets skilfully re-creates the energy, style and music of the stars of the Motown stable from The Four Tops, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Commodores, Lionel Richie, The Supremes and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles to Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.

With classic hits including I Heard It Through The Grapevine, Baby Love, My Girl, Dancing in the Streets, Shop Around, I'll Be There, Signed Sealed Delivered I'm Yours, Please Mr Postman, Reach Out I’ll Be There, Stop In the Name of Love, Up Tight (everything’s alright), Tears of a Clown and Tracks of My Tears; this smash hit production packed with soul will certainly have you dancing in the aisles!

Dancing In The Streets will get audiences grooving at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from Monday 21st April to Saturday 26th April. Monday at 8pm, Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm with Wednesday matinee at 2.30pm and Saturday matinee at 4.30pm. Tickets are priced from only £15.50 and are on sale now from the Grand Theatre Box Office. Great group and Friends of the Grand discounts available.

Call 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.

• For what’s on this week at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre simply text GRAND to 82055. Standard text rates apply.

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

TWO BEAUTIFUL NIGHTS OF OPERA

The Grand Theatre is proud to stage
Puccini’s MADAMA BUTTERFLY and Verdi’s LA TRAVIATA
on March 25th and 26th
starring the Ukrainian National Opera of Odessa

Two grand operas from one award winning opera company!

Renowned opera company, Ellen Kent, is bringing Puccini’s heart-breaking Madama Butterfly and Verdi’s magnificent La Traviata to the Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th March.

Madama Butterfly is one of the world’s most popular operas. Puccini’s captivatingly dark tale tells of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. Highlights include the melodic Humming Chorus, the deeply moving aria One Fine Day and the unforgettable Love Duet. Starring international Korean and Japanese sopranos, Madama Butterfly returns to Blackpool’s Grand with exquisite sets including a spectacular Japanese garden and fabulous costumes including antique wedding kimonos from Japan.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.


A tragic tale of searing passion and memorable music, La Traviata is Verdi’s outstanding interpretation of one of the most popular love stories of the 19th century, La dame aux Camelias. Based on a true story and set in Paris, it tells of the passionate consumptive Violetta. There are many echoes of Verdi’s own life in La Traviata and he threw himself wholeheartedly into the music. Highlights include the Brindisi, the best known drinking song in opera, the duet Un Di Felice and the haunting tenor aria Addio Del Passato. This magnificent production boasts sumptuous sets and costumes and stars Maria Tsonina as Violetta.
Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

These two unmissable productions feature handpicked soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra and are set to prove very popular, so book your favourite seats before it’s too late!

Tickets are on sale now priced from only £16.50 for each production. Madama Butterfly is on Tuesday 25th March at 7.30pm and La Traviata is on Wednesday 26th March at 7.30pm.

Call our Box Office now on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk to book online and join us in the beautiful surroundings of the Grand Theatre to enjoy spectacular, traditional and lavish opera.

STUDENT STAMPEDE AVAILABLE! 60 SEATS AT £6 ARE AVAILABLE FROM 10AM ON THE DAY OF EACH PERFORMANCE. JUST SHOW YOUR STUDENT CARD AT THE BOX OFFICE – MATURE STUDENTS WELCOME!

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

ROCK ON AT THE GRAND

The Studio Blues 2008 season rocks on at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre with Jim Diamond & Snake Davis on Friday 14th March

The Grand Theatre’s Studio Blues won’t let you down with an amazing acoustic set from JIM DIAMOND and the sizzling saxophone of SNAKE DAVIS on Friday 14th March.

Everyone remembers Jim Diamond with affection, just sing them the first line of his million-selling hit I Won’t Let You Down and they’ll instantly recall his passionate, distinctive voice. In the late1990s Jim met renowned sax-man Snake Davis and they performed together discovering a wonderful on and off-stage chemistry, based on their shared love of soul music, heartfelt melodies and great lyrics.

Jim and Snake play a joyful, exhilarating, passionate and above all entertaining mix of Jim Diamond classics, new songs and favourite covers by the likes of Ray Charles and Lennon/McCartney. The Grand is delighted to have Jim Diamond & Snake Davis perform and this is sure to be a sell-out - so book early.

To book for Jim Diamond & Snake Davis at the Lawrence House Studio at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Friday 14th March please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.
All seats just £10.

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

A GRAND SPECTRE-CAL

Explore the fascinating world of the paranormal with What Is A Ghost? with Richard Felix at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on Sunday 2nd March.

Join paranormal historian, presenter and writer Richard Felix of Most Haunted fame as he explodes the myths and gives an intriguing explanation into the world of ghosts at Blackpool's Grand Theatre on Sunday 2nd March with What Is A Ghost?

Richard Felix has been haunted by ghosts since the age of four, but he does not see dead people. He is frightened of ghosts and probably always will be. So what makes a man who is so frightened of ghosts search for them? Come to the Grand Theatre and find out...

Richard's passion and enthusiasm for ghosts and history has put him at the forefront of the quest to prove beyond all doubt that ghosts really do exist and there is life after death. He has developed many mind-blowing theories as to why some spirits still linger and others are recorded into the fabric of a building.

His passion in life has always been history, especially military history with a special interest in disasters such as The Charge of the Light Brigade, The Alamo, Custer's Last Stand and the Titanic. Richard is a great believer that ghosts and history go together and firmly believes that ghosts exist - he has seen one, heard one and travelled with one, but still remains firmly on the fence and remains sceptical about most ghostly occurrences. At least eight out of ten can be explained, it is the remaining two you need to worry about!

In 1992 Richard opened The Derby Heritage Centre (a Tudor Grammar School) with ghosts and thus started the origins of the now world famous Derby Ghost Walk. Richard specialises in ghost tours around the UK and Ireland and has personally taken in excess of a quarter of a million people on a ghost tour. Eight years ago he opened the haunted Derby Gaol - scene of the last hanging, drawing and quartering in England.

Four years ago he embarked on the Ghost Tour of Great Britain - visiting every county and recording their haunted tales on DVD. Richard has now created over fifty of these DVDs and their success has resulted in a best selling book.

The knowledge and expertise gathered by Richard over many years drew him to the attention of the television media, and four years ago he became the Paranormal Historian on the world acclaimed Most Haunted on LivingTV. He has now completed 99 programmes (six in America) and twenty live broadcasts and Richard is currently working on a new television show which will explore all aspects of the paranormal.

What Is A Ghost? with Richard Felix will spook audiences at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool on Sunday 2nd March at 7pm. All seats are only £10 and are on sale now from the Grand Theatre Box Office. Call 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

For what's on this week at Blackpool's Grand Theatre simply text GRAND to 82055. Standard text rates apply.

Don't forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

ROCK ON AT THE GRAND

The Grand Theatre’s Studio Blues won’t let you down with an amazing acoustic set from JIM DIAMOND and the sizzling saxophone of SNAKE DAVIS on Friday 14th March.

Everyone remembers Jim Diamond with affection, just sing them the first line of his million-selling hit I Won’t Let You Down and they’ll instantly recall his passionate, distinctive voice. In the late1990s Jim met renowned sax-man Snake Davis and they performed together discovering a wonderful on and off-stage chemistry, based on their shared love of soul music, heartfelt melodies and great lyrics.

Jim and Snake play a joyful, exhilarating, passionate and above all entertaining mix of Jim Diamond classics, new songs and favourite covers by the likes of Ray Charles and Lennon/McCartney. The Grand is delighted to have Jim Diamond & Snake Davis perform and this is sure to be a sell-out - so book early.

To book for Jim Diamond & Snake Davis at the Lawrence House Studio at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre on Friday 14th March please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or book online at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.
All seats just £10.

Don’t forget - Parking is available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

LAST CHANCE TO FLY HIGH WITH THE GRAND!

The Friends of the Grand are offering theatregoers £5 raffle tickets for two luxurious Business Class flights to Dubai thanks to Emirates Airline. Funds raised will go to the Friends of the Grand who, in turn, strongly support Blackpool’s beautiful Grand Theatre and its eclectic programme.

Grand Theatre Manager and Chief Executive, Neil Thomson, said: "The Grand is very appreciative of Emirates Airline for its wonderful generosity. The theatre hopes to raise £10,000 through the sale of the raffle tickets with all proceeds going to the Friends of the Grand. Only 2,000 tickets have been produced and are being sold on a first come, first served basis. We hope everyone will continue to come on board and buy a raffle ticket and support the Friends. But there are only a few weeks left to snap up the remaining tickets.”

Demand for tickets has been sky high as it provides the unique opportunity for two people to travel to one of the world’s wealthiest and most ostentatious destinations in the luxury of Business Class for only £5!!!

The prize draw will take place on Monday 31st March when the lucky winner will be notified. The winning flight tickets will be available for use between specified dates in 2008.

The tickets have a potential value of £4,500 and are available to buy before and during any of the sensational shows at the Grand Theatre from Friends of the Grand and the Grand Theatre Box Office in person or by calling 01253 290190. You can also visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk to buy raffle tickets and view full show listings and information.

A CRACKING EASTER 2008 AT THE GRAND!

There’s a cracking selection of egg-cellent shows for all the family at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre this Easter. The Grand is delighted to welcome back legendary entertainer Joe Longthorne this Easter Weekend from Friday 21st March to Monday 24th March. And for the April Easter holidays there are fabulous family musicals Fiddler On The Roof and Oliver! along with a brand new skating spectacular Variety on Ice.

Joe Longthorne’s repertoire of voices is endless and includes hundreds of the world’s top singers. However, he is perhaps best known for his impersonation of Tom Jones and Shirley Bassey – Shirley herself said: “Joe can do me better than I can do myself!”

During his career, Joe has also received gold and platinum discs for his albums, enjoyed sell-out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and toured Australia several times.

Tickets for Joe Longthorne at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool from Good Friday March 21st to Easter Monday March 24th are priced from only £16.

Looking for something to do in the April Easter holidays?

Fiddler on the Roof is back to touch people's hearts from Tuesday 1st April to Saturday 5th April and you’d be a fool to miss it! Packed with some of the best-loved songs in the history of musicals, this new nationwide tour features star of stage and screen Joe McGann (best known for his role as Charlie Burrows in The Upper Hand) as the Jewish dairyman Tevye who dreams of riches, respect and a quiet family life. Fiddler on the Roof is blessed with a gloriously rousing score full of memorable melodies, a moving and compelling storyline, heartwarming humour and colourful characters. Songs include Tradition, Matchmaker Matchmaker, Sunrise Sunset, To Life! and of course If I Were a Rich Man. Tickets from only £17.50 with great group discounts available.

Or why not consider Oliver! Blackpool Operatic Players bring Charles Dickens’ famous novel to magical musical life from Wednesday 9th April to Saturday 12th April. Follow little orphan Oliver through dangerous Victorian London, where life is rough and real friends hard to come by, as he negotiates his way from the orphanage to his true family. This much-loved production features some of the most popular songs in musical theatre history from As Long As He Needs Me, Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and the rambunctious Oom Pah Pah to the heartbreaking Where Is Love?. You’ll be saying please can we have some more! Tickets from just £8.

Variety On Ice slides into the Grand from Wednesday 16th April to Sunday 20th April in sensational style. In a specially commissioned production for the Grand Theatre – National Theatre of Variety, the dazzling cast of International Ice Stars perform rock ‘n’ roll hits from five decades with love songs and classics brilliantly choreographed in a kaleidoscope of colour and spectacle. Plus tributes to the biggest stars in music including Kylie and Elvis! A truly magical experience for all the family in a thrill a minute production on a stage of real ice.

Variety on Ice will entrance audiences from three to ninety three. Adult tickets £19, seniors £15 and children £8. Family ticket £45.

Get scrambling for those tickets now! For further information, full show listings or to book any of the sensational shows at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre simply call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk.

Are your friends and family not chocolate fans?

Why not treat them to theatre tickets for the Grand Theatre this Easter? This amazing building offers Blackpool and Fylde Coast residents and visitors a packed year-round programme of live theatre from opera, ballet, plays, comedies, musicals, contemporary drama and dance to fun children’s shows and of course pantomime!

Don’t forget - Parking is also available at a discounted rate at the secure West Street Car Park, directly opposite the theatre’s entrance. Book your parking ticket when you book your show tickets from the Box Office and you can have parking from 5.30pm until 12.30am for only £2.50!

A GRAND SHOW OF CULTURE FOR BLACKPOOL

Blackpool's Grand Theatre tops the bill for the arts with a Cultural Experience Award

Blackpool's beautiful Grand Theatre took the lead role for the arts as it scooped the Cultural Experience Award at Blackpool Tourism's Business Excellence Awards on Friday 1st February.

The Grand topped the Grundy Art Gallery in the annual awards, which this year asked for a venue to provide a particular cultural experience and demonstrate fresh marketing initiatives to attract new and repeat business.

Judges were impressed with the stunning recent transformation of the Victorian theatre's 1,057 seat auditorium in phase two of the Glorious Grand appeal, exciting new show programming and inventive marketing strategies.

The auditorium was painstakingly returned to its original colour scheme in 2007 with ergonomically designed heritage seating providing theatregoers with improved comfort and greater leg room; together with a bespoke 'Acanthus' design carpet, transforming the theatre from rich red to its original Utrecht blue.

A radical change in show programming included performances by prestigious companies such as English National Ballet and the National Theatre and the premiere of a brand new musical production of South Pacific, while regular E news bulletins and the introduction of a new SMS text service were incorporated into show and theatre marketing.

Grand Theatre General Manager and Chief Executive, Neil Thomson, collected the award at the glittering ceremony at Blackpool Tower hosted by Granada ITV’s Paul Crone.

Neil said: "The Grand Theatre has always been at the epicentre of entertainment in Blackpool in recent times, but it is greatly appreciated when the venue is acknowledged as the year-round 'Palais des Art'. We wish the Grundy Art Gallery, Stanley Park and South Promenade all the best for 2008, as along with the Grand Theatre, they all make a significant contribution to the Blackpool Cultural Experience."