Grand Theatre
33 Church Street Blackpool FY1 1HT
One of the few surviving masterpieces of Victorian theatre designer Frank Matcham, the Grand occupies a much-loved space at the heart of Blackpool's cultural life. First opened in 1894, it's hosted Shakespeare, musicals and opera since the earliest days, while many of the greats of stage and screen have trodden the boards here over the years. There's still a hugely varied year-round programme, from drama and opera to ballet and stand-up, though come the annual summer season the line-up is more what you'd expect from Blackpool – the Chuckle Bothers, Abba tribute bands, popular musicals and the like. Meanwhile, Christmas every year sees the town's best pantomime. It's a beauty inside all right, a four-tier, thousand-seater auditorium replete with exuberant decor that's one of Blackpool's vintage treasures.
