PRIMARY
Illustration by Tony Ross. Reprinted by permission of Harper Collins publishers LLC.
GRAND Family A big smile... The Grand has been welcoming families for generations. All our staff pride themselves on greeting families with a big smile and helpful support. Over the next three years we have made it one of our top priorities to become even more Family Friendly. Family Friendly shows... We work hard to bring you the best touring family shows, including Peppa Pig, The Tiger Who Came To Tea, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Gangsta Granny. PLUS this season we launch smaller scale shows in The STUDIO. Making it easier... We’re all about making your visit enjoyable and stress-free. We have great baby changing facilities and will be installing a new buggy park area in the stalls. We will be changing our family tickets to make them more diverse for all family group sizes. Over the next six months we will also be implementing healthier drinks and snacks, a Family Friendly Guide to our facilities and standards, plus a live performance feed into our Stage Door Bar.
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The Grand Theatre is signed up to the Family Arts Standard with Family and Childcare Trust and works with VisitBlackpool and Blackpool Council on being Family Friendly.
Valuing families and providing a great family experience
THE GRAND Blackpool ...is continually looking for ways to engage children, young people and their teachers with a range of cultural opportunities and experiences. There are lots of ways that schools can get involved with productions at The Grand: We work with schools to offer a range of projects and tailor-made practical workshops linked to our visiting theatre shows, which can take place both here in The STUDIO or in your school. Recently we have become an Arts Award Centre and we are keen to help with delivery of Arts Awards at all 5 levels. We are genuinely passionate about opening up theatre to young people. Added to this is our drive to involve teachers in workshops and training, sharing best practice and canvassing opinions about ways in which The Grand can support and work with you. A highlight opportunity in this brochure is the Teachers Inset session with ZooNation on November 19, 4-6pm. We are excited to announce our partnership with the National Theatre and the launch of a new NT Connections Youth Company, launching this term, with taster sessions available for all Young People 14 – 19yrs. The Grand is also host
to Fylde Youth Dance Company that audition local talented dancers annually. As one of only 10 theatres to work in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and having our very own Learning and Performance Network, we are delighted to be presenting the national tour of A Midsummers Night’s Dream. The Grand is best placed to offer unique and tailored packages for young people in education tied in with some of the best touring companies in the UK and Internationally. Please contact us if you want to get involved in one of our projects or you would like to talk to us about a tailored event. Contact Jo Cleasby, Creative Learning Project Manager joc@blackpoolgrand.co.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Poulton Drama and Blackpool's Grand Theatre present
A Midsummer Night's Dream
In 2016, the Royal Shakespeare Company and Poulton Drama will take you on a very special Midsummer adventure with a unique production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The nation’s favourite Shakespeare play is performed as never before; magically intertwining professional and amateur actors, deep in an enchanted wood on Midsummer’s night. During its tour of the UK, catch the show in Blackpool where local amateur theatre group Poulton Drama will perform with the Royal Shakespeare Company. @TheRSC Thursday 7 April
There will be opportunities for schools and families to take part in workshops surrounding this exciting performance. For further information contact Jo Cleasby joc@blackpoolgrand.co.uk A co-production between the Royal Shakespeare Company and amateur companies across the UK. This is an arrangement developed between the RSC and Equity.
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Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 April 2016 Times Evenings 7:15pm Thursday and Saturday Matinees 1:15pm Tickets Evenings £19 to £24 Thursday and Saturday Matinees £19 Up to 4 Under18s half price with every full paying adult Concessions £3 off Groups 10+ £4 off, 20+ £5 off (Evenings only) School Groups (Tuesday to Friday only) £9.50
GRAND Drama @Grand_Theatre
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t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
The Royal Shakespeare Company in association with Poulton Drama and the Grand Theatre, Blackpool present
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KW & NB Ltd present
LIVE ON STAGE!
Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October
The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!
Times Saturday 1:30pm and 4:30pm Sunday 10am and 12pm
Following a smash-hit West End season, the tea-guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem...expect to be surprised!
Tickets £13
A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr.
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/blackpoolgrand
@TigersTeaLive
@Grand_Theatre
Age guidance 3 years +
School Groups £8.50 t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
The Tiger Who Came To Tea
Children & Young People’s Programme Did you know? •
The Grand works in partnership with Blackpool Council's Family Learning Team, Library Service, Arts Service, Music Service, Blackpool and The Fylde College and Grundy Art Gallery.
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The Grand Theatre is part of the Cultural Learning Alliance and is a registered venue for the Children's University Programme.
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The Grand hosts the Fylde Coast Youth Dance Company.
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In 2016, The Grand will host the Royal Shakespeare Company’s A Midsummer Night's Dream, giving a group of local school children the chance to perform alongside professional actors. Regional schools and community groups will have the opportunity to get involved through Active Approaches to Shakespeare Workshops.
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The Grand Theatre is one of only 10 national theatres to work in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company Learning Performance Network Programme.
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The Grand is now a Trinity College registered Arts Award centre. We are currently helping to facilitate delivery of Discover & Explore, and Bronze Shakespeare Challenge Arts Award, as well as piloting the delivery of show-specific opportunities.
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The Grand runs professional level workshops to support and develop local artists.
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The Grand runs training opportunities for teachers. Through our partnership with Blackpool Culture Hub, future programmes of work are being developed. Have you thought about using your Pupil Premium against our shows and workshops?
Working in partnership with
BLACKPOOL
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David Walliams
From the acclaimed producers of HORRIBLE HISTORIES comes the world premiere of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children. 'I am over the moon that 'Gangsta Granny' is coming to the stage. It's the most popular of all my books and I am sure this production by the brilliant Birmingham Stage Company will delight not just children but their parents and of course grandparents'. David Walliams
Illustration by Tony Ross. Reprinted by permission of Harper Collins publishers LLC.
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Times Saturday 1:30pm and 4:30pm Sunday 10am and 12pm Tickets Adults £17.00 Child £13.00 Family 4 £48.00 Schools £8.00
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It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing – staying with Granny! There will be cabbage soup, cabbage pie and cabbage cake and Ben knows one thing for sure – it’s going to be sooooooooo boring! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret – and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could ever imagine, as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!
Wednesday 27 April to Sunday 1 May 2016
@Grand_Theatre
LIVE ON STAGE!
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
GANGSTA GRANNY
Enjoy fun, games and of course, surprises in this charming, colourful new show with new songs and new life size puppets, Peppa Pig’s Surprise promises to be the perfect theatre show for all pre-schoolers! ‘A rollicking, all singing, dancing interactive adventure.’ DAILY TELEGRAPH ‘A treat for your little one’s eyes and ears.’ DAILY EXPRESS ‘Enjoyably inventive.’ TIME OUT
GRAND Family
Tickets Premium Seats (First three rows in Stalls) £22.00 Stalls, Dress and Upper £18 Gallery £16 Under 16 £2 off Family ticket for 4 £56.00 (Stalls, Dress and Upper Circle)
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It’s a lovely day and Peppa is playing outside with her friends. Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have got a surprise for her and George – they can’t guess what it is, can you?
Times 10am, 1pm, 4pm
@Grand_Theatre
Surprise! Peppa Pig, George and their friends are back in Birmingham in a brand new live stage show, Peppa Pig’s Surprise.
Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July 2016
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Peppa Pig’s Surprise
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Mister Maker and The Shapes Live! Come and join your ultimate arts and craft hero Mister Maker, for his first ever live theatre tour! Packed full of arty adventures there’ll be a big 'make' to take part in, super songs to join in with, a fabulous supporting cast, and not forgetting, The Shapes! Yes, you'll be able to share the fun with Mister Maker's colourful all-dancing friends Circle, Square, Rectangle and Triangle too! Mister Maker and The Shapes will also be joined by a team of all-singing, all-dancing friends! This talented cast will really make our interactive arty adventure fun for all the family! This show is tons of arty fun for all the family! Mini Makers, get ready to make some amazing arty creations and book your tickets today!
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Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 March 2016 Saturday 10am, 1:30pm, 4pm Sunday 10am, 1:30pm Times Saturday 10am, 1.30pm and 4pm Sunday 10am, 1.30pm Tickets Adults £15.50 Child £12.00 Family of Four Ticket £44.00
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@Grand_Theatre
/blackpoolgrand
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
GRAND Family
@Grand_Theatre
/blackpoolgrand
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Schools Shakespeare Festival Royal Shakespeare Company’s Learning and Performance Network cluster, in partnership with Blackpool Grand Theatre present
/blackpoolgrand @Grand_Theatre
8 March 2016 1pm & 6pm
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
William Shakespeare's
Learning and Performance Network partners: Anchorsholme Primary, Montgomery High School, St Mary’s Catholic Academy Romeo and Juliet, St George’s School Much, St Cuthberts Catholic Community College, Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Primary, Marton Primary Academy, Park Community Academy, Thames Primary School
Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October Times Saturday 11am and 2pm, Sunday 12pm and 3pm Tickets £6 Groups of 4 £20
THE STUDIO GRAND THEATRE
THE SPACE
GRAND THEATRE
@Grand_Theatre
/blackpoolgrand
A baby chick is born and thinks the sky is falling down. On the way to tell the King, she meets Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky & Turkey Lurkey, but there's a shocking surprise! Mixed into this recipe of food, puppets and music is the story of Little Red Hen and sly Foxy Loxy.
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Chicken Licken
GRAND The STUDIO
DNA Puppetry and Visual Theatre presents
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The Russian State Ballet presents
Giselle, The Snow Maiden, The Nutcracker Giselle The most poignant of all classical ballets is filled with dramatic passion in a chilling and heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave. The moving story of delicate Giselle and her aristocratic yet duplicitous lover Albrecht is set to a glorious score. From the visual splendor of the rustic villagers gathering the harvest, to the eerie moonlit forest haunted by beautifully drifting spirits – this production is unforgettable. The 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, this ballet is set in the snow covered landscape of rural Russia. Captivated by the colourful village of the human world, the Snow Maiden 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. The Nutcracker The most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes drift 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. Accompanied by The Orchestra of the Russian State Ballet conducted by Anatoly Tchepurnoi. @RaymondGubbay #GuiDANCEonline 16
Friday 8 to Sunday 10 January 2016 Times Giselle – Friday 7:30pm The Snow Maiden – Saturday 2:30pm and 7:30pm The Nutcracker – Sunday 2:30pm and 5:30pm Tickets £17 to £41.50 Concessions £2 off Family Ticket of 4 (max 2 adults) £105
LINK
TICKET
Ballet Double Bill £70 Ballet Triple Bill £99 (Giselle, The Snow Maiden, The Nutcracker)
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@Grand_Theatre
/blackpoolgrand
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
GRAND Classics
ZooNation present
Into the Hoods: Remixed Into the Hoods: Remixed is the newly revamped version of the award-winning production that stormed the West End in 2009. The much-loved show returns to the stage with all the wit and charm of the original, updated for 2015 with new choreography, a remixed soundtrack and fresh designs. Set in the Ruff Endz Estate, the story follows two lost school children who have been tasked to find an iPod touch as white as milk, trainers as pure as gold, a hoodie as red as blood and some weave as yellow as corn. Along the way, they meet DJ Spinderella, wannabe pop star Lil Red, vivacious rapper Rap On Zel, budding music producer Jaxx and a whole world of surprises. 'A great show for kids, and everyone else too. You are guaranteed to leave the theatre smiling.' THE TELEGRAPH 'One of the liveliest, most exciting, youthful additions to the West End in many a year… a show that shakes the seats and rocks the house. Good family entertainment.' THE DAILY MAIL
Tuesday 1 to Wednesday 2 March 2016 Times Evenings 7:15pm Thursday and Saturday Matinees 1:15pm Tickets Evenings Stalls & Dress £20.00, Upper £17.00, Side Upper and Gallery £15.00 Matinees All seats £15.00 Discounts Concessions, Students £3off Groups/Schools 10+ Evenings £13.00, Matinee £10.00
TEACHERS
FREE with purchased ticket for Joss Arnott 5 0 (limited availability)
Are you 18-26? Co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Leicester Curve, and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
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50 tickets (per performance) available for this show at just £12.50 (T&C apply).Tickets go quick, so call us now! #GTU26
GRAND Dance @Grand_Theatre
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t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
Zoonation Dance Company, co-produced by Sadler’s Wells and Leicester Curve, and supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
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Breakin' Convention Breakin' Convention, the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, returns to Blackpool with another line-up of jaw-dropping performances by companies from around the world and around the corner. This hugely popular production is hosted and curated by UK hip hop theatre artist Jonzi D. Alongside performances from local crews, Breakin' Convention features uplifting performances from current world b-boy champions The Ruggeds from Holland who performed at Breakin’ Convention London this year and were a huge hit with the audience. Experimental b-boy dance crew Iron Skulls from Barcelona, Spain and leading dancer on the street dance scene Antoinette Gomis from France. Gomis has worked with Madonna, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and Diana Ross as well as being the face of brands like Nike and Puma. Breakin' Convention is more than just a show: DJs, dancers, demonstrations and workshops take over the foyers in the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture.
Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May Tickets £11.50 Under 26s £8.50 Concessions £8.50 Groups £6.50
Are you 18-26?
50 tickets (per performance) available for this show at just £12.50 (T&C apply).Tickets go quick, so call us now! #GTU26
Full line-up to be announced. Check breakinconvention.com for updates. A Sadler’s Wells Project in association with Dance Consortium
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@Grand_Theatre
/blackpoolgrand
t. 01253 743340 w. blackpoolgrand.co.uk
GRAND Dance
GRAND Our Audience
The Grand is one of Britain’s premier heritage theatres, designed by the greatest of all theatre architects, Frank Matcham. When it opened in 1894 it was the first theatre in the country to be fully electric, using only electricity to power the lighting on stage and in the front of house areas. As a Grade II* listed building it is in the top eight per cent of all listed buildings in England and one of only 30 listed buildings in Blackpool. Little wonder it was dubbed ‘Matcham’s Masterpiece’. But The Grand is more than just a jewel of a building with a proud history. It is a dynamic powerhouse of art and entertainment, thrilling audiences today as it has for the last 120 years. With a varied programme of drama, dance, comedy, musicals, opera, variety, family and children’s work it provides something for everybody. The Grand also extends its work to communities outside the theatre building with an active creative learning and participation programme reaching schools, colleges and community groups across the region. The theatre is also proud to host the region’s leading amateur groups who take their place alongside the top class national and international companies on our stage.
The Grand is your theatre. Come and be part of it. 22
Over 100 children appeared in professional productions, including Sleeping Beauty pantomime and Breakin’ Convention.
GRAND | Our Audience April 2014 to March 2015
70% Local 13% Regional 17% Rest of the UK
13%
15%
17%
70%
Over 300 young people and local performers were
inspired by The Grand to appear in flashmobs to 11%
enhance their participation in and experience of key performances and events, including Boy Blue Entertainment and Breakin’ Convention.
74%
The Grand is part of the Cultural Learning Alliance and is a registered venue for the Children’s University Programme.
The Grand is one of only 10 UK venues that take part in Breakin’ Convention, an International Festival of Hip The Grand welcomed over 132,000 customers. Hop Dance Theatre. 51,644 people 3.5% attended an event or show within our 2.7% Children4.5% and Young People’s programme. 9.7% 8% GRAND | Dance Audience (April to March 14/15) GRAND | Children's and Young People's 19.4% 2.2%
Programme
80.3% 13%
The Grand is one of 10 National venues in the RSC’s Learning and Performance Network (LPN). The Grand has assisted 4 Blackpool 17% teachers and 1 local artist to achieve a PG qualification in the Teaching of Shakespeare in conjunction with the 70% RSC.
67.3%11%
Local: 74% Regional: 15% Rest of UK: 11%
15% 74%
The Grand Theatre is piloting the Shakespeare Challenge Arts Award alongside the LPN. We are now a registered Arts Award Centre. Over 2000 children and young people have performed in school productions, including Schools 3.5% Alive and Au Revoir Review, on The Grand’s stage in 4.5% 2014/15. 8% 2.2%
80.3%
33% of the dance2.7% audience were from Blackpool 194 bookers were first time attendees to The Grand
9.7%
19.4%
67.3%
More than 120 young people took part in the choreographer James Wilton’s Grand Theatre residency. The activities ranged from contemporary dance workshops to seniorstudent master-classes and our first ever family class for local martial artists. We successfully piloted a dance bus opportunity for undergraduate dance students. Over 20 teachers were inspired by our Traditional Tales opportunity to engage children and young people with the stories behind shows including Sleeping Beauty and Hansel + Gretel. International dance company Ultima Vez’s performance at The Grand was an opportunity for our local ‘Everybody Dance Now’ artists to engage with 60 regional undergraduate students and enhance their engagement with the show.
2.2%
3.5% the lives and prospects of people who live, work and learn in Blackpool and our ambition to offer4.5% people 8% the chance to see, participate and learn through theatre.
Expenditure
Theatre Productions: 67.3% Employment: 19.4% Establishment: 9.7% Administration/ Professional: 2.7% Fundraising Costs: 0.5% Governance: 0.3%
9.7%
19.4%
2.7%
80.3% 67.3% Arts Council England The Grand is one of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisations, a network of organisations around the country that help the Arts Council to deliver on its mission of providing great art for everyone. The Grand is currently in the first year of a Business partners second three-year agreement. Our business partners include Pleasure Beach Resort, 13% 11% Daniel Thwaites plc and NatWest Commercial Banking. Artistic Partners Combined they have supported the arts at The Grand 15% The Grand Theatre continues its partnership with for over 55 years. We also thank the Friends of the 17% Dance Touring Partnership, Touring Consortium, Grand for their continued support. National Touring Group, the Royal Shakespeare 70% 74% Company and Sadler’s Wells. We are also a founding You partner of LeftCoast, the Arts Council England Last year our patrons gave more than ever before...we funded programme designed to inspire more want to thank you! people in Blackpool and Wyre to experience the arts, irrespective of where they live or their social, It is thanksExpenditure to all our partners and individual donors, educational or financial circumstance. that the Grand Theatre continues to thrive and be an integral part of the local community as well, as a 3.5% 2.7% Income beacon for Blackpool’s Arts scene. 4.5% 9.7% Ticket Sales: 80.3% 8% Activities for If you want to make a donation to the theatre, just call generating funds: 8% 19.4% 01253 290190. Grants: 4.5%
GRAND Financial Sustainability
Workshops and Outreach Over 1500 Children and Young People took part in dance workshops and master classes.
2.2%
Funding Partners Like most regional theatres, The Grand relies on funding from various sources. Our principle funders are the Arts Council England and Blackpool Council. We also work in partnership with a number of organisations, designed to enhance the programme and maximise resources. Blackpool Council Blackpool Council has been a long-standing partner of The Grand. Their support helps us to deliver their ambition to make a difference to
Support from Blackpool Council: 3.5% Support from Friends of The Grand: 2.2% Sponsorship: 0.8% Donations: 0.6% Investment Income: 0.1%
80.3%
67.3%
Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Ltd Registered in England and Wales No 1323495 Charity No 1022754 Blackpool Grand Theatre (Arts & Entertainments) Ltd Registered in England and Wales No 2825229 Charity No 506601
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Illustration by Tony Ross. Reprinted by permission of Harper Collins publishers LLC.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre (Arts & Entertainments) Ltd. is a Registered Charity (No. 1022754) and Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust Ltd. (No. 506601) Address: 33 Church Street, Blackpool, FY1 1HT Box Office: 01253 743340 Email: box@blackpoolgrand.co.uk Front & back cover image: Gangsta Granny Brochure design: kevinlloyddesign.co.uk
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