Musical
Friends of the Grand
Take a look at: How To Support Us | Capital Project | Name A Seat | Legacy Giving | Magic and Sparkle | Amazon Smile | Grand Christmas Draw
The Friends of The Grand was formed in 1973 to save Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from demolition. They are an independent organisation that provides financial and voluntary support to the theatre. Early Friends included such names as Violet Carson (Ena Sharples), Alistair Cooke, Ken Dodd, Leslie Crowther, Tim West and Prunella Scales, Billy Pearce and Johnnie Casson.
Over the last twenty-five years, The Friends have contributed in excess of one million pounds towards projects including the provision of new carpets, seating and technical equipment.
Nomination form (for download and completion)
Membership is £20, with an under-18s and over-65 price of £10 per year.
Coffee Mornings
Held the third Thursday’ of the month (please contact us to confirm).
Date Speaker
| April 18 | Richmond Neale | With theatre Miscellany and Memories |
| May 16 | David Cam | Past director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach talking about the ‘1,000 Year History of Hight Sherriffs of Lancashire’ |
| June 20 | Martin Scott Price | ‘Mr Punch and Judy’ |
| July 18 | Beryl Johnson | Presents ‘The Golden Years of Variety’ with film clips of theatre performances from tars of the 50s and 60s |
| Aug 22 | Bryan Lindop | ‘From Ealing Studios to Blackpools Mr Tram Man |
| Sept 19 | David Coupe | Past Chair of the Grand Theatre Trust |
| Oct 17 | Hillbilly Heaven |
Musical Entertainment |
| Nov 21 | Pat Abram |
Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI |
Pay on the door £5pp
Some events include a guest speaker.
Advance booking is not available.
Guests are permitted with a paying Friend of The Grand member.
Entrance Church Street (Next to the Box Office 43-45 Chruch Street).
A Special Celebration - Friends 50 Years
Blackpool Grand Theatre ‘Friends of The Grand’ this year celebrate 50 Years. Formed in 1973 to save the historic gem Blackpool Grand Theatre from demolition, the first ‘Friends’ were literally hands-on painting dressing rooms, repairing holes to the ceiling, and getting the theatre into better shape. Critical funds were raised in many ways over the coming years, including midnight matinees; all part of the bid to save the theatre and in 1981, Friends purchased the Grade II* listed theatre from the then owners, EMI.
To celebrate 50 years a very special ’50 Years Show & Dine’ event took place on Thursday 5 October. Attendees delighted in a performance of the rapturous five-star West End hit comedy Noises Off, starring one of the UK’s favourite actresses Liza Goddard, Olivier Award winner Matthew Kelly (Of Mice and Men) and Simon Shepherd (TV’s Peak Practice, West End productions of Posh, The Duck House, Rapture, Art and Hay Fever). After the matinee performance at the Theatre, a Blackpool Heritage Tram transported guests up the beautiful promenade from the Blackpool Tower to the Pleasure Beach White Tower Restaurant. Following a private reception, guests enjoyed a specially designed three-course menu of the very finest local produce, in the stylish surroundings of the penthouse floor of the Pleasure Beach’s Casino Building.
The Friends of the Grand is a membership group of people who support the beautiful Blackpool Grand Theatre. Today, Friends raise funds from subscriptions and social events to finance projects within the theatre with an aim to enhance the comfort of patrons. Over the last 25-years, The Friends have contributed more than £1.7 million towards projects including the provision of new carpeting, seating, accessible lift and technical/lighting equipment and, with a newly elected Committee, are looking forward to supporting the work of The Grand for many years to come.
Friends of The Grand is a registered charity, No. 514538
Registered address: Blackpool Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 1HT
