A Grand Theatre Year of Celebrations

This month marks the official 125th birthday of the iconic Blackpool Grand Theatre. And the theatre has had a ‘year of celebrations’ planned.

Opening its doors in 1894, The Grand is one of the masterpieces of famous Victorian architect, Frank Matcham and is one of the jewels of the art world in the North West.

The birthday will see a host of VIPS, the Mayor, celebrities and theatre supporters in attendance and there will also be special performances including Love Letters From Blackpool by comedian, musician and theatre maker Ruth Cockburn, a rendition by BBC Philharmonic harpist, Mollin Rose and speeches from Friends of The Grand Patron and BBC Radio Lancashire presenter Steve Royle, Theatre Board members, and Chief Executive Ruth Eastwood.

Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, Ruth Eastwood

The icing on the cake, literally, will be a six tier, Blackpool Grand Theatre cake, which is being made by local baker One Sweet Day. The company was selected from many across the North West and commissioned to create a memorable cake for the ‘Grand Celebration’. The cake, to serve over 300 people, has been designed to emulate the theatres golds, creams and external architecture of the building. Multi-layered flavours will include vanilla, chocolate, and of course pineapple to emulate the Pineapple atop the theatre’s dome roof.

Tea and birthday cake will be served in bespoke Grand 125 Anniversary ‘recycled cups’ to support the theatre’s aims to reduce environmental impact. Guests will be able to take them away and return to the theatre to get free coffee on every visit.

Ruth Eastwood, chief executive at Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: “2019 is already turning out to be a major year for Blackpool Grand Theatre.

“We had a tremendous turnout at our opening anniversary event in January and it featured a number of exciting announcements with more still to come. It really is a significant anniversary milestone and so it is with great pride for the theatre employees to give this event as a thank you to all the Friends of The Grand and volunteers for their support.

In the evening the theatre is delighted to present the longest running show of any kind in the history of theatre – Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, starring Susan Penhaligon, the show runs 22 – 27 July which coincides with The Grand’s official 125th birthday week.”

To book tickets for The Mousetrap click here.