Grand Theater, Blackpool
The Grand Theatre of Blackpool was designed in the Victorian style in 1893 by architect Frank Matcham. The theatre is located at 33 Church Street, at the corner of Church Street and Corporation Street, on the former site of Thomas Sergenson's Circus. The project was conceived and financed by local theatre manager Thomas Sergenson, who hired Matcham to build the "prettiest theatre in the land."
The theatre had cantilevers to support the seating tiers. This eliminated the need for pillars or columns inside, giving a clear view of the stage from all directions. The Grand Theatre was a great success through World War I and into the 1930s. It operated as a motion picture house outside the summer seasons until the Opera House was built nearby.
The popularity of television after World War II cut a swath through the theatre business of the Grand. The Grand narrowly escaped demolition in 1972. The theatre was a Bingo venue for three years. In 1981, the group of friends of the Grand, with the backing of the Council, reopened the Grand Theatre. The new stage of the Grand started with a performance of Willian Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
In 2006 the Grand Theatre was named England's National Theatre of Variety. It produces a wide range of events as family entertainment, comedies, musicals, and dramas. The auditorium has grand chandeliers, ceiling frescoes, and ornate surroundings. Food and drinks are available on each level and in the Matcham Court Bar.
The theatre had cantilevers to support the seating tiers. This eliminated the need for pillars or columns inside, giving a clear view of the stage from all directions. The Grand Theatre was a great success through World War I and into the 1930s. It operated as a motion picture house outside the summer seasons until the Opera House was built nearby.
The popularity of television after World War II cut a swath through the theatre business of the Grand. The Grand narrowly escaped demolition in 1972. The theatre was a Bingo venue for three years. In 1981, the group of friends of the Grand, with the backing of the Council, reopened the Grand Theatre. The new stage of the Grand started with a performance of Willian Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice.
In 2006 the Grand Theatre was named England's National Theatre of Variety. It produces a wide range of events as family entertainment, comedies, musicals, and dramas. The auditorium has grand chandeliers, ceiling frescoes, and ornate surroundings. Food and drinks are available on each level and in the Matcham Court Bar.
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Grand Theater on Map
Sight Name: Grand Theater
Sight Location: Blackpool, England (See walking tours in Blackpool)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Blackpool, England (See walking tours in Blackpool)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Blackpool, England
Create Your Own Walk in Blackpool
Creating your own self-guided walk in Blackpool is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Blackpool's Great Promenade
Blackpool's Great Promenade, a vibrant stretch of coastal pathway, is an interesting area to explore. Here you will find a plethora of attractions and sights to behold complete with several amusement parks.
One of the iconic landmarks along this promenade is the Blackpool South Pier, emphasizing adrenaline-producing entertainment, a tradition maintained since 1893. Nearby, Pleasure Beach... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
One of the iconic landmarks along this promenade is the Blackpool South Pier, emphasizing adrenaline-producing entertainment, a tradition maintained since 1893. Nearby, Pleasure Beach... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Blackpool Introduction Walking Tour
Between the Ribble and Wyre rivers on the west coast of England was a strip of sandy beach seven miles long. It was a pleasant place, where streams would run through peat bogs before emptying into the sea, turning the water dark. People called the place "Black Pool." Since early days, folks sought the benefits of fresh sea air and water.
Blackpool became a tourist magnet in the 1840s.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Blackpool became a tourist magnet in the 1840s.... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles