It's strictly Come Dancing - and a whole lot more besides - as Blackpool Grand Theatre kick starts the new decade with a star studded line-up of attractions for 2010.
Two highlights from the new season are The Kinks famous frontman Ray Davies in the first ever tour of his hit musical Come Dancing and a host of familiar television names in the cast of a classic Oscar Wilde play.
The murderously funny comedy Lor
d Arthur Savile's Crime calls into the Grand from March 1 - 6 with a star-studded cast including BBC1's Any Dream Will Do winner and Joseph star Lee Mead, Gary Wilmot, Kate O'Mara and Derren Nesbitt.
The award-winning Come Dancing written by and starring Ray Davies, rocks into Blackpool from April 5 - 10 as part of its first ever UK tour packed full of his classic hits and new songs.
There's more music too with Laughter In The Rain - The Musical, a new show based on the rise, fall and rise again of singing star Neil Sedaka (May 3 - 8)
There's plenty of dramatic variety for theatre goers including the gripping thriller Inside Job starring Emmerdale heart-throb Stephen McGann (January 28 - 30); Spike Milligan's delightfully barmy and hugely enjoyable Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall (February 2 - 6); the seriously squishy world premiere of the educational family show Horrible Science (March 23 - 27) and Agatha Christie's crime masterpiece Witness For The Prosecution with an all-star cast to be announced (March 8 - 13).
Add to that a season of one night stands including the inimitable Julian Clary with his new show Lord of the Mince (February 19); darkly brilliant comic Sean Hughes with What I Meant to Say Was (February 25) and the charming comedy star Stephen K Amos with The Feelgood Factor (January 20), to an evening with intrepid adventurer and motorbike fanatic Charley Boorman (March 21); a day with family favourite Postman Pat (March 7) and the return of football comedy Beating Berlusconi – this time transferring to the main stage due to popular demand (March 14).
Blackpool Grand also welcomes back The Russian Ice Stars with Snow White on Ice (January 12 - 16) on a stage of real ice; The Russian State Ballet and Orchestra of Siberia with the much-loved masterpieces Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty (January 8 - 10); Opera della Luna with Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operetta The Sorcerer (February 24) and Showzam! - Blackpool's Festival of Circus, Magic and New Variety with four fantastic shows Variety Notes, Ockham's Razor, Spymonkey's Moby Dick and The Ukelele Orchestra of Great Britain (February 13 - 20).
There are also return visits of The Solid Silver 60s Show (April 3), 80s Mania (April 2), The Circus of Horrors (March 28), The Rat Pat Live from Las Vegas (March 15 - 17) plus debuts from singing group The Sopranos (March 31) and Jus' Like That: A Night Out With Tommy Cooper (March 29 and 30).
"I think this is a very exciting programme - the names are there, the product is there and there are plenty of new attractions," said Grand Theatre general manager and chief executive, Neil Thomson. "As we approach the new decade, the Grand continues to bring a variety of the best available productions to Blackpool, the Fylde and the North West. This is despite the entertainment industry having some difficult times. I am quite excited about what we have to offer.
"We have maintained a growing relationship with number one producers such as the Bill Kenwright organisation, UK Productions and Flying Entertainment. This season guide sees a further development of Schools Alive, an amazing opportunity for schools to experience the Grand Theatre as a performance space and we welcome the return of Showzam!, the half term Festival of Circus, Magic and New Variety, now in its third year."
For full 2010 show information and bookings call the Grand Theatre box office on (01253) 290190, click on the website www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or visit the Grand Theatre information sales point in the Houndshill Shopping Centre.
