The Blackpool Grand Theatre is a historic Victorian institution that puts on a great range of shows, from comedies and family entertainment to plays and musicals. Having undergone a 15-year restoration project in the 1990s, the theater’s auditorium is today among the most prestigious and resplendent in the country. Enjoy a show in the glitzy presence of chandeliers and ceiling frescoes.
Choose between the seats of the dress circle, the balconies and the upper circle for your visit. Purchase something to eat or drink at one of the bars that operate on each level of the auditorium. Alcoholic drinks are served here. Get coffee in the Matcham Court Bar.
Photos of performances are prohibited however, you can attend one of the occasional Photographic Sessions events, when the auditorium is open for tours. Check out the official website for films that provide more information about the shows, including interviews with the cast and production teams.
The theater was built on the site of a former circus and opened in 1894. It fell into disrepair partly due to dwindling ticket sales in the 1960s, before reopening as a bingo hall. It returned to its role as a theater in 1981, starting with a performance of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
For tickets, call the number on the theater’s official website or visit the box office, which has varied opening hours. It is closed on Sundays in winter. Prices depend on the show, with certain acts permitting toddlers for free.
The Blackpool Grand Theatre is in the heart of the city’s main coastal area. Get here by riding a bus to one of the many nearby stops or taking the tram to the North Pier station and walking east for a few minutes. You can also drive and pay to leave your car in the West Street Car Park. The Winter Gardens, Viva Blackpool and Blackpool Tower are some of the other main highlights near the theater.