Following the huge success of gBook, Blackpool’s Grand Theatre launches a brand-new video experience, aptly named gPlayer.

With over 45,000 downloads already, hugely successful gBook, an online space where the theatre makes their printed publications / packs available, is proving a very popular visitor resource.

gPlayer is a new video experience, a one-stop place to view promotional trailers of forthcoming shows, behind the scenes footage, masterclasses and cast, choreographer and director interviews, historic materials, plus discover more about their Creative Learning Programme.

Blackpool’s Grand has committed in 2018-22 to turn 20% of its business operations (media, systems, operations etc.) digital. This is supported by Arts Council England and the theatres National Portfolio Organisation status, as well as the two theatre boards (Arts & Entertainment and Trust) and the Friends of The Grand.

Blackpool’s Grand works with the digital geniuses at SOAP Media (Preston and Manchester) to continually push its digital operations, systems and customer experience. This year alone The Grand has seen online visitors increase by 7.5%, to nearly 5 million page views.

The new video experience is here – Welcome gPlayer

In September, at the Theatres VIP Season Lunch, they presented their incredible new goVR Project, a virtual reality experience where you can now explore The Grand like never before, learning interesting facts about this iconic Blackpool building.

The goVR project was a reaction to creating an ‘open door’, a 3D way to explore, after receiving so many requests, not just locally but regionally, to look around the theatre. Many international visitors from Asia and the USA also love to look around the theatre and can now do so easily from their own home.

With theatre tours selling out quickly each month the new goVR Project allows anyone in the world to enjoy The Grand.

Blackpool Grand Theatre Marketing Manager Andrew Howard said; ‘The gPlayer, gBook and goVR platforms were born out of so many requests to learn about and tour the theatre, in addition we had so many American and Asian visitors, online and in person wanting to look around the building we thought by offering many things digitally as well as a 3D Virtual Reality option of touring the theatre we could offer it to people all over the world.

The two newer platforms have already received tens of thousands of views and we have already embarked on a a specific campaign in the USA and Japan to introduce the iconic Blackpool Grand as a historic building.

For more information on gBook visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk/gbook, for our goVR experience visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk/govr, and for our new gPlayer visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk/gplayer

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre is more than just a beautiful, Grade II* listed building.  It’s an active charity with social, educational and artistic aims.  Employing 47 permanent staff members and with the help of 85 dedicated volunteers, the theatre attracts thousands of visitors to the town to enjoy the work on its stages.  In addition, it runs a full programme of workshops for children and young people, in and out of school, focused on improving literacy, numeracy, social skills and confidence.

The marketing team at Blackpool’s Grand have new digital projects planned with SOAP Media throughout 2018 with clear objectives to give every local child access to its work.  To do this the theatre must raise further funds to help grow its participation programme of events that allow children to grow and develop. These programmes are not for the privileged few but for all.  An aim being that 20% of all its work be digital and available online to all.

Grand Theatre, CEO Ruth Eastwood said;

‘The Grand survives on the generosity of donations and the support of its locals. We try where we can with income and fundraising to achieve great value for the local community.

‘Last year, 10,000 school children benefitted from seeing a performance at the theatre.  A further 3,000 young people performed on the stage. In addition, 30 local schools are part of our literacy project in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company.  So, you can be assured every £1 we receive goes towards great projects.’

The Grand needs to continually fundraise to enable it to deliver its work – vital work! Without your support, many of our local children will never experience a true feeling of live performance, outstanding international dance or engaging quality drama.

We’re asking you to #PlayYourPart.

To make a one-off donation to Blackpool’s Grand Theatre you can go to the website blackpoolgrand.co.uk/donations or if you’d like to set up a regular donation, look at the Charity Aid Foundation (CAF)’s Long-Term Giving. They offer tailored philanthropy services, knowledge and expertise, to help you fulfil your charitable ambitions. They work with over 2,000 high net worth individuals in a variety of ways, from providing valuable administration of their charitable giving through to expert advice on a long term giving strategy.

Visit our new video experience – gPlayer