Grand Theatre - Blackpool

In 1887 the local impresario known as the 'People's Showman' Thomas Sergenson, bought a row of old cottages and shops planning to open a theatre. His plans took a turn though when the Opera House opened just a year later.

Sergenson didn’t return to his idea until five years later, then with £20,000 and plans from celebrated architect Frank Matcham, he finally set his dream in motion.

The result? A stunning venue built with Matcham’s revolutionary cantilevered balconies (no support pillars to block your view) and an opulent Baroque-style corner frontage crowned by a stunning copper dome, all built in just nine months!

The Grand opened in 1894 with a sell-out production of Hamlet. A sucession of the day’s stars followed, with the likes of Sarah Bernhardt and Lily Langtry gracing the stage.

The theatre was sold by Sergenson in 1909 to the Blackpool Tower Company, who would own it for the next 60 years, until they are bought by EMI.

The theatre is Grade II listed in 1971, preventing its demolition, a real prospect at the time as the theatre was struggling and ultimately closed in 1972.

Public outcry and local campaigning saw the theatre re-open in 1977, but as a Bingo Hall!

But that wasn’t the end of the Grand’s story as a theatre, not by a long shot.

With fund raising and council support, the Grand was bought from EMI by the newly formed Blackpool Grand Theatre Trust and re-opened as a live theatre in 1981.

In 1988, a five-year restoration began, adding a new 80-seat studio space and, over the decades, more access and front-of-house improvements followed.

There’s an amazing 3D VR tour of theatre available online so you can see what it’s like inside now.

Or if you want to see it for yourself, check out their What’s On for one of their Heritage Tours

Now boasting over a 1000 seats the Grand celebrated its 130th year in 2024 no doubt, with many more to come.

Check out the Youtube video of their amazing animated timeline, and try this great Youtube video for a condensed overview of their history.