Take a look at our dance Christmas list – Give your loved ones tickets to a dazzling dance show at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre this Christmas. You know it’s the right move…

Are you looking for the perfect gift for family and friends this festive season? A stunning new series of live dance performances at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre in 2017 offers something for everyone – from little ones right through to grown ups! Make it your resolution to give your loved ones an exhilarating live theatre experience for Christmas this year.

Captivating, sometimes controversial, but always totally creative – Blackpool’s Grand offers a packed programme of wonderful new dance works, all combining to bring vibrant, passionate dance full of energy and expression. Book seats now for the Russian State Ballet of Siberia’s trio of breathtakingly beautiful ballets – The Nutcracker, Coppélia and Swan Lake; illustrious choreographer Matthew Bourne’s celebratory work Early Adventures; Gary Clarke’s powerfully political Coal; Northern Ballet’s charming children’s ballet Goldilocks and the Three Bears; Mark Murphy’s provocative new piece Out of This World; Ballet Theatre UK’s enchanting family ballet Alice In Wonderland and the welcome return of incredible hip hop event Breakin’ Convention 2017.

Light up January with the renowned Russian State Ballet of Siberia’s thrilling triple bill, all accompanied live by the Orchestra of the Russian State Ballet:

The Nutcracker – Monday 16 January

This most famous of fantasy ballets for all the family begins as night falls on Christmas Eve. As snowflakes fall 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 be 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 travel through the Land of Snow to an enchanted place where the magic really begins…

 Coppélia – Tuesday 17 January

Every toy has a story in this charming comedy of errors, antics and abracadabra set in a doll maker’s workshop.  This light-hearted tale of mistaken identity and confused lovers follows mischievous Swanilda, her impetuous suitor Franz and the eccentric toymaker Dr.Coppelius as they are brought to life by sparkling choreography and the animated score of Delibes. Coppélia is perfect for first-time ballet-goers, families and everyone in between.

Swan Lake – Wednesday 18 January

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is beautifully brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon-lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation; this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all. From the temptress in black tulle who seduces the Prince by spinning with captivating precision, to the spellbinding purity of the swan queen as she flutters with emotional intensity, the dual role of Odette/Odile is one of ballet’s most unmissable technical challenges.

Matthew Bourne’s Early Adventures – Tuesday 21 March and Wednesday 22 March

Matthew Bourne is hailed as the UK’s most popular and successful Choreographer/ Director. He is the creator of the world’s longest running ballet production, a five-time Olivier Award winner and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical. Early Adventures is a charismatic programme of hit pieces that return to his roots and the launch his stellar career. Enjoy the style, wit and sheer entertainment that his company brought to Swan Lake, The Car Man, Edward Scissorhands and Sleeping Beauty.

Contains some adult humour. May not be suitable for under 12s.

Gary Clarke’s Coal – Tuesday 28 March and Wednesday 29 March

“All of us owe the comparative decency to poor drudges underground, blackened to the eyes with their throats full of coal dust, driving their shovels forward with arms and belly muscles of steel” George Orwell (1934)

Marking the 30th anniversary of the end of the 1984/5 British miners’ strike, award winning choreographer Gary Clarke proudly presents a riveting dance theatre show which takes an nostalgic look at the hard hitting realities of life at the coal face. Strong, powerful and emotive, COAL explores the darker underbelly of the mining industry unearthing the true nature and body wrecking demands of a working class industry now almost forgotten. Bringing together Clarke’s striking physical language performed by a company of 7 stunning professional dancers, a local community cast of women and a live brass band, COAL is an emotional, moving and ever-relevant exploration of community, solidarity and survival. Not to be missed. Age suitability 12+

Goldilocks and The Three Bears – Thursday 30 March

With sell-out performances and hugely successful CBeebies adaptations, including Ugly Duckling and Tortoise & the Hare, Northern Ballet’s Short Ballets for Small People are not to be missed. Now the magic continues with a brand-new retelling of Goldilocks & the Three Bears. Goldilocks is a mischievous little girl with hair as bright as gold. Always on the look-out for an adventure, one day her curiosity leads her to a house full of many surprises. With a family of friendly bears, a beautiful blue bird and bowls of delicious porridge, this ballet is just right! And is the perfect opportunity for little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre for the first time.

This child-friendly performance lasts approximately 40 minutes.

Mark Murphy’s Out of This World – Tuesday 9 May

A genre-defying action packed theatre from acclaimed writer and director Mark Murphy. Set within a world of projected film and animation, it combines his signature mix of ground breaking aerial choreography, original text and explosive special effects in a show that is both intense psychological thriller and heart-rending medical drama. This is the story of a woman’s woozy descent into the depths of a medically induced coma. Once safely cocooned, her crashed imagination takes over the show – creating a vivid inward cinema in which she reviews her life. But after discovering a shocking truth and with the medical team moving in for the kill, she must escape her subterranean safe house in a very real fight for life.

Suitable ages 14+ PLEASE NOTE: Contains flashing lights and strobe effects.

Alice in Wonderland – Sunday 14 May

Come with Alice on a magical adventure as she tumbles into Wonderland! Guided by the White Rabbit, Alice meets some astonishing characters, including the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, a studious caterpillar and those mischievous twins, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Basing his ballet on Lewis Carroll’s much-loved children’s books Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, Ballet Theatre UK’s Artistic Director Christopher Moore has created a captivating piece, brimming with wit, humour and charm. With its whimsical flights of the imagination, eclectic music and joyful dance. Alice in Wonderland is delightful entertainment for all ages.

Breakin’ Convention 2017 – Saturday 27 May

The world’s biggest festival of hip hop dance theatre showcasing the very best from around the world and around the corner is coming back to Blackpool! Curated and hosted by UK hip hop pioneer Jonzi D, this is an awe inspiring weekend of exceptional performances from world champion b-boy crews to cutting edge street dance companies – live on stage. This year’s line-up includes South Korean super crew of poppers and b-boys Just Dance whose performance includes live Korean drumming; Canadian urban contemporary duo Tentacle Tribe; and Soweto Skeleton Movers who perform comedic contortionism fused with Pantsula, a style from their native South Africa. Spilling off stage and taking over the whole building, dance workshops, graffiti, DJs, and freestyle sessions make Breakin’ Convention an unforgettable experience for all the family.Be part of it! If you are a dancer, graff writer, DJ, emcee or beatboxer, then we want to hear from you!

Email info@breakinconvention.com to find out more about how you can be part of this historic event.

The Grand’s got Christmas wrapped up!
Pop tickets for spectacular dance shows in everyone’s stocking this festive season
and experience the joy of live theatre together.
Merry Christmas!

For further information on all the spectacular shows available and to book tickets, visit www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the Grand Theatre box office on 01253 290190.

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