Share the joy of live theatre at The Grand this World Theatre Day

It’s World Theatre Day this Monday 27 March! This annual celebration was initiated by the International Theatre Institute in 1961 and is observed every year as a global reminder of the importance of theatre as an art form.

What better way to support the day than by experiencing a spectacular live show at Blackpool Grand Theatre?

The Grand’s glorious Grade II* listed building was meticulously crafted in 1894 by flamboyant architect Frank Matcham and has been entertaining theatre audiences ever since with a whole host of exhilarating artforms on offer to all - from drama, plays, opera and dance to comedy, music, unmissable productions from the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and, of course, the fabulous annual family pantomime.

The greatest actors and stars of their day have also graced this famous stage from Sarah Bernhardt, Tallulah Bankhead and Peggy Ashcroft to John Gielgud, Alec Guinness, Noel Coward, Timothy West and Sir Ian McKellen, and The Grand continues to attract big, big names to ‘one of the most beautiful theatres’ in the United Kingdom. Recent visitors have included Patrick Duffy, Alan Carr, Jon Richardson and Giovanni Pernice to name a few, and Grand Theatre visitors can look forward to lots of star spotting to come…

Dazzled by drama? The Royal Shakespeare Company storms in with William Shakespeare’s powerful political thriller Julius Caesar in the year marking the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio; Dickens goes digital with the revolutionary new stage adaptation of Michael Rosen’s much-loved Unexpected Twist; celebrate 70 sensational years of Agatha Christie with a slice of the genre-defining murder mystery The Mousetrap; Northern Broadsides bring the delicious regency farce Quality Street with Coronation Street’s Kylie Platt (Paula Lane) as sweet schoolmistress Phoebe Throssel, and just announced! The hilarious romp The Birds and The Bees with a heart as big as the laughs starring comic genius, writer and actress Helen Lederer (Absolutely Fabulous, French & Saunders) and Michael Starke (Brookside, The Royal, Benidorm). Book now– it’s the bee’s knees!

Bewitched by dance? Follow the yellow brick road to an enchanting re-imagining of the TIN MAN from Joss Arnott Dance; Attention! the unmissable, five-star work 5 Soldiers from top contemporary dance choreographer Rosie Kay explodes into The Grand to explore how the human body remains essential to war; Northern Ballet will pirouette in with Hans Christian Anderson’s charming fairytale Ugly Duckling; expect jaw-dropping performances from internationally celebrated poppers, lockers, b-boys and b-girls in the welcome return of the ground-breaking Breakin’ Convention hip hop festival; experience thunderous rhythms as Irish Dance and Modern Tap combine to soar into the 21st century with Emerald Storm, and Strictly champ Giovanni Pernice packs up his famous dance shoes once again to return by popular demand in 2024.

Does live comedy tickle your fancy? Snap up your seats now a riotous retelling of Jane Austen’s iconic period drama Pride and Prejudice featuring a string of pop classics in Pride and Prejudice (*sort of) sweeping in direct from its triumph in the West End, where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy. Plus, there are a whole host of top nights out with stand-up stars taking to the mic from Frankie Boyle, Dara O’ Briain and Tom Allen to namedrop just a few…

Love live music? Go Dancing in the Moonlight with Rock Icons; relive the glorious age of Glam Rock with ELO Again; sip Red, Red Wine as renowned band Johnny2Bad beautifully recreate the music that filled the airwaves during the 80s and 90s and the million selling songs of the Reggae era in Absolute Reggae; take a Bridge Over Troubled Water for the critically acclaimed The Simon and Garfunkel Story and dress to impress for a great big glitterball of a night out with Lost in Music. It’s the feel-good show of the year!

Looking for family fun? Get ready for a real monster of a family show with Shrek the Musical from Blackpool Operatic Players; follow the yellow brick road for the wonderful Wizard of Oz from Blackpool & Fylde Light Opera Company, and dive deep into the wonderful world of science in the explosive Ministry of Science. Expect 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, fire tornados, ignited methane and even a self-built Hovercraft! Don’t forget our fabulous family pantomime Aladdin starring the superbly silly Steve Royle. It’s never too soon to book for Christmas 2023. Oh no it isn’t!

World Theatre Day was initiated by the International Theatre Institute in 1961 and is celebrated every year on 27 March as a global celebration of the importance of theatre as an art form. The day also promotes the value of theatre both culturally and economically to governments, institutions and the public. Participation is actively encouraged with unique performances and special awards along with a special World Theatre Day Message from a notable figure from the world of theatre.

Our fabulous live shows at The Grand encourage a love of theatre by opening the door to the wonderful world of performance for both young and old and offering dazzling nights of escapism and enjoyment that make magical memories to last and last for years to come.

Celebrate World Theatre Day this year with tickets to a sensational show at Blackpool Grand Theatre and encourage a love of theatre that will last a lifetime!

Call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full show listings, bookings and further information.