New musical based on classic Cliff Richard film heading to Blackpool Grand Theatre - what you need to know
‘We wanted to bring audiences another musical that feels like a real event.’
A new summer musical based on a classic British film is heading to Blackpool Grand Theatre, with organisers hoping it will replicate the strong audience turnout seen at last year’s production of Grease.
Summer Holiday The Musical, inspired by the 1963 film that helped establish Cliff Richard as a household name, will run from Wednesday 29 July to Saturday 8 August. Tickets are set to start at £18.
The show is being staged as a co-production between Blackpool Grand and Sheffield Crucible Theatre, marking a collaboration between two established UK venues. It follows a run of Grease last year, which was produced with Pitlochry Festival Theatre and drew consistently full audiences.
Adam Knight, Chief Executive of Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: “After the incredible success of Grease The Musical last summer, we wanted to bring audiences another musical that feels like a real event, something joyful, generous and perfect for the whole family. Summer Holiday does exactly that.
“It’s packed with songs everyone knows and loves, and there’s something very special about telling this story in Blackpool, the home of the great British seaside holiday. We’re also absolutely thrilled to be working with Sheffield Theatres on this incredible co-production, bringing together two theatres to create a show that feels big, bold and made for summer.”
The musical retells the story made famous by the original film, combining themes of travel, friendship and independence with a soundtrack drawn from some of the best-known pop songs of the 1960s. Numbers include “Summer Holiday”, “Bachelor Boy”, “Move It”, “Dancing Shoes”, “The Young Ones” and “In the Country”.
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Producers say the show is designed as a light, nostalgic piece of summer entertainment, with a tone aimed at broad audiences. Its seaside setting and upbeat style are seen as a natural fit for Blackpool, long associated with traditional holiday entertainment.
The production is part of the theatre’s summer programme and is expected to attract both local audiences and visitors to the resort during peak season.
Summer Holiday The Musical runs at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Wednesday 29 July to Saturday 8 August. Tickets and further information are available at blackpoolgrand.co.uk or by calling 01253 290 190