Grand Theatre calls on community to 'play their part' in ensuring future of the arts and venues in Blackpool

A ghostly light fills the stage and a very noticeable silence – it could be a scene from an Agatha Christie thriller but instead is the current set up for many of our treasured venues.
Bosses at the Grand Theatre have launched a new recovery fund and are calling on the community to donate to the causeBosses at the Grand Theatre have launched a new recovery fund and are calling on the community to donate to the cause
Bosses at the Grand Theatre have launched a new recovery fund and are calling on the community to donate to the cause

A ghostly light fills the stage and a very noticeable silence – it could be a scene from an Agatha Christie thriller but instead is the current set up for many of our treasured venues.

It is serving as a small symbolic gesture at one Lancashire theatre - a reminder of the joy and universal laughter theatre brings to the masses.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But it is people at the heart of this industry – in front and behind the curtain – that keep it going and, with the current crisis surrounding Covid-19, both sides have been left in the dark as what the future might be.

Summer show Dirty Dancing - the classic story on stage has been postponed to 2021.Summer show Dirty Dancing - the classic story on stage has been postponed to 2021.
Summer show Dirty Dancing - the classic story on stage has been postponed to 2021.

As the light begins to glimmer for small sections of the hospitality and leisure industry here on the Fylde coast, there is still a script left to be written for how many of our small and mainstream venues can see the curtain rise again.

This week, bosses at Blackpool’s historic Grand Theatre launched their ‘Recovery Fund’.

The team is calling on the loyal support of a community of theatre-goers to help them create a more secure future for when they are able to make their grand return.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Grand, in its rich history, has faced its battles for survival many times but, in 2020, 93 per cent of the theatre’s income is generated from ticket sales.

The light has been left on for the return of shows at Preston PlayhouseThe light has been left on for the return of shows at Preston Playhouse
The light has been left on for the return of shows at Preston Playhouse

More than 100 days since the curtain came down, this is now one of the longest closures in its 125-year history.

Never has it been more vital for the community to “play their part”.

Anthony Stone, Blackpool Grand Theatre chairman, said: ‘With the closure of hundreds of theatres across the UK, including The Grand, the arts and entertainment industry, along with many, many other businesses across the country, faces an uncertain future.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“At this time, I believe, it is important to protect the theatre and its workforce by taking every opportunity to slow down the devastating financial impact of closure so we can be in as good a shape as possible when we come to re-open.”

Bosses at Blackpool Winter Gardens say they are looking forward to welcoming audiences once again.Bosses at Blackpool Winter Gardens say they are looking forward to welcoming audiences once again.
Bosses at Blackpool Winter Gardens say they are looking forward to welcoming audiences once again.

It is indeed a similar story for many of the county’s historic and treasured venues including the likes of The Dukes in Lancaster.

As directors at another Lancashire theatre this week bluntly put it, they are facing “a fight for survival”.

Stripped back to its bones, a skeleton staff at The Grand continues to work their way through a backlog of administration brought about by the forced closure on March 1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They are working through hundreds of thousands of pounds of refunds, credits and limited transfers to new dates.

A number of staff remain on furlough.

The latest show to be affected by the coronavirus pandemic is the highly anticipated summer show which was set to be presented in August, Dirty Dancing The Classic Story on stage.

It has been announced that it will now be postponed until summer 2021.

Anthony added: “Arts Council England and Blackpool Council continue to support the theatre and we hope for news soon on further funding support, for which we thank them sincerely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“However, The Grand earns 93 per cent of its income through ticket sales which, as you can imagine, are now depleting our reverses.

“If you are able to, or would like to, make a donation to help the theatre survive, we would be extraordinarily grateful.”

Chief executive of the Grand Ruth Eastwood, inset left, has stressed the ongoing survival of the theatre will be in the confidence of audiences returning at the point guidelines make it safe to do so.

The government plans still offer no definitive solutions or specific time frames leaving theatres particularly with difficulties in managing and handling audiences, not to mention live performers, actors and musicians on stages.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Planning for the future, Ruth added she was very much looking forward to welcoming back audiences for the planned reopening in September.

She added: “Firstly, I want to thank the thousands of customers for their patience and understanding at this challenging time.

“Our small team (just five of us) has been moving, refunding and crediting customers over the past few weeks, as quickly as humanly possible, no mean-feat I must tell you.

‘At the same time, I’ve been moving many of the shows we had planned for spring and summer into autumn and winter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The programme is packed with a wide selection from music and drama, to comedy and dance.

“I’m delighted to have only had to cancel a few shows. Most have moved to new dates, so you can still enjoy much of the great line up planned for earlier in the year.”

How to #playyourpart

The #PlayYourPart campaign asks for people to get involved by making donations via the recovery fund link https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/join-and-support-us/how-to-support-us/blackpool-grand-recovery-fund, by purchasing an 1894 club membership tickets for one of the Autumn Winter 20/21 season shows or naming a seat.

Last week, bosses at the Winter Gardens updated patrons on their hopes for a phased return of operations, owing to the continuing restrictions on live performances.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman said they remained hopeful that work being undertaken by government for venues would result in an ability to return to normal operations ‘as soon as possible.’

There are plans in the works that could see the Opera House get up and running as a cinema to make use of the space.

The majority of the Winter Gardens team have been furloughed, allowing for the protection of jobs for the entire team whilst the venue remains closed.

There are currently 21 employees continuing to manage the business, support customers and take on essential tasks including added safety and security features.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Managing director Michael Williams said: “As a business and team, we have been in constant dialogue with partners across resort.

“It’s essential at times like these that we work together, share best practice and support each other where we can.

“Schemes such as the Buddy programme with the Grand Theatre and the Donation Hub with BID have been tremendously well received and helped to make a positive impact in these trying times.

“Much like every other venue in the UK our spring and summer programme has had to be completely reviewed with the majority of affected events rearranged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We felt it essential to retain as many events as possible rather than outright cancel to ensure when it’s safe to do so, Blackpool can quickly return back to full swing and hoteliers and restaurants can reap the rewards these essential events create through inbound tourism.

“The Winter Gardens is one of the keys to the success of Blackpool. If the Winter Gardens is busy promoting events and shows and bringing audiences to Blackpool then all the business across the resort will benefit as our guests will all stay in hotels, dine in restaurants and shop in the town centre.

“We’re incredibly keen to get back to what we do best, welcome people from across the world to our fantastic range of events, once it’s considered safe.”