Pop, rock, opera, drama, a Grand season in prospect

New tours of The Full Monty and Thriller Live opening in Blackpool and the world premiere of a stage adaptation of the novel Brave New World are among the drama, musicals, dance, opera, music and comedy coming to Blackpool Grand during the autumn.

Thriller Live starts its autumn tour in Blackpool this October, having already been seen by more than 3m people worldwide.

For lovers of 60s music, Dreamboats and Miniskirts (the sequel to Dreamboats and Petticoats) charts the advent of the Beatles and the Merseyside sound with a soundtrack of the hits of the decade.

The season also sees the return of Blackpool and Fylde Light Opera Company, with yet another premiere for Blackpool when they perform Legally Blonde the Musical, after their success with Hairspray in May.

Drama lovers can see the opening of The Full Monty autumn tour starring Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn and a star cast.

Autumn also sees the highly anticipated staging of the futuristic novel Brave New World, presented by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company, who brought Brassed Off and Regeneration in 2014.

A heart-warming adaptation of Frank Capra’s iconic film It’s A Wonderful Life also visits, retold as a radio play in tribute to the golden age of wireless.

Murder and mystery are in the air when Middle Ground Theatre Company return with A Murder is Announced: A Miss Marple Mystery.

The producers of last year’s Double Death also return with two gripping plays to bookend the season, including Murder with Love and Sherlock Holmes and The Ripper Murders.

Opera and ballet lovers have a triple bill of Gilbert and Sullivan, The Gondoliers, The Mikado and HMS Pinafore, to look forward to, as well as a double-bill of Ellen Kent productions, Die Fledermaus and Carmen.

Ballet fans also have the return of the Russian State Ballet with seasonal favourites The Nutcracker, Giselle and The Snow Maiden.

Contemporary dance companies Candoco – the world’s leading ensemble of disabled and non-disabled performers – and Joss Arnott presents 5|0.

In addition The Grand hosts one-night shows, including Joan Armatrading on her last major world tour, An Evening with Sir Roger Moore, top-class comedians Ken Dodd and Tim Vine, an evening with Go West, Nik Kershaw and T’Pau plus a host of tribute acts including The Billy Fury Story, ELO Again and The Tommy Cooper Show.

There is also a programme of shows for The Studio from next month. Highlights include a Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, children’s puppet show Chicken Licken, plus comedy dramas Lonely Hearts and A Translation of Shadows.

Box Office: 01253 74 33 39 or www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk