The Grand Theatre joins in the Panto Day 2017 Celebrations!

Since 2011, panto passionistas around the world have come together on the 15^th December to celebrate the artform. From #pantopouts to #stageselfies, #scriptselfies and #pantoplanking, Twitter and Facebook have been abuzz with news from Pantoland whilst theatres embrace the fun before, during and after the show!

This year’s #PantoDay will celebrate the Year of the Comic, applauding characters such as Buttons, Silly Billy, Simple Simon, Wishee Washee, Muddles and Idle Jack. Our very own Comic is none other than Panto Veteran – Steve Royle who is currently performing as Buttons in his 15^th consecutive Panto – Cinderella!

Steve Royle said; ‘’I feel incredibly honoured to have been part of the Grand Theatre Pantomime family for so long, it’s been an incredible 15 years. Having starred alongside so many stars and made some incredible friends like Su Pollard, Tom Lister, Danny Miller, and Vicky Entwistle. I worked it out the other day that I’ve been in Grand Theatre’s pantos for something like 15% of the venue’s existence.’’

Martin Dodd for UK Productions in association with Blackpool Grand Theatre is proud to have presented 21 years of Pantomime at Blackpool’s premier theatre.

This year the two companies celebrate and incredible 21 years of partnership in Pantomime. It’s only fitting that this year’s pantomime Cinderella is the first pantomime performed by UK Productions at Blackpool’s Grand.

Both UK Productions and Blackpool Grand Theatre know the true value of pantomime and the yearly tradition for the families of Blackpool. Each year the numbers grow and the community engagement work grows with it. Blackpool’s Grand is committed to its engagement work which works alongside its rolling programme.

Producer Martin Dodd of UK Productions said; ‘It’s been a 21-year love affair with this magnificent theatre, that really is one of the jewels in this country’s theatre stock. Working alongside the amazing team at Blackpool’s Grand we have not only produced 21 pantomimes but also many musicals that have started their life in this beautiful theatre. It is the perfect place to watch a show and the audiences that we play to in The Grand are some of the best and most responsive in the country. They certainly enjoy all of the elements that make up a great pantomime.’’

In addition to celebrating Panto Day we’re also reminding our friends of the theatre to think of others this Christmas season.

Marketing Manager Andrew Howard said; ‘‘As the Grand aims to be the theatre of choice for Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre and to offer opportunities to enjoy, participate and learn through the arts this year we will be launching very special Magic & Sparkle tickets! We’d like our customers to think in these hard times of others that might not be as fortunate as themselves and how much of an experience they would be giving if they purchased one extra pantomime ticket at a very special rate. The theatre will then donate these Magic & Sparkle tickets to organisations and community groups who really need a special treat at Christmas. We’ve made it easy to do whether you’re booking in person, at the Box Office, or online. Just ask or look out for the Magic & Sparkle ticket add-on.’’

To donate click here.

Cinderella plays at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 5 December 2017 to Sunday 7 January 2018 starring popular children’s presenter Olivia Birchenough (Milkshake!) as Cinderella, Union J’s JJ Hamblett (The X Factor) as the dashing Prince Charming; BBC Radio Lancashire presenter and madcap comic Steve Royle as Buttons; celebrated stage and TV star Melanie Walters (Gavin & Stacey) as Fairy Godmother and hilarious double act Jamie Morris & Tarot Joseph as the Ugly Sisters.

Book your seats today, otherwise not even your Fairy Godmother will be able to magic you a ticket to see Blackpool’s must-see Christmas show…

Tickets are available here blackpoolgrand.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01253 290190.

You can keep up to date with Panto Day on our Facebook – @blackpoolgrand or on Twitter – @Grand_Theatre.