Tag: Blackpool Theatre Shows

Heathers the Musical at Blackpool Grand Theatre Review

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own

If you thought high school was all about passing exams, making friends and deciding what to wear to the school disco, think again! Welcome to Westerberg High, where popularity is everything, bullying is practically a school subject and being one of the cool kids can have deadly consequences. Heathers the Musical serves up a deliciously dark cocktail of teenage angst, outrageous comedy and very catchy songs.

Based on the cult 1988 film that starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, this musical follows Veronica Sawyer (Gerardine Sacdalan), an intelligent but relatively unnoticed teenager who dreams of escaping life on the fringes of the school’s social hierarchy. Her opportunity arrives when she is welcomed into the exclusive circle of the three Heathers: Chandler (Liberty Stottor), Duke (Jessica Ibadin) and McNamara (Lou Henry). With their perfectly coordinated blazers, skirts and socks and their terrifying ability to make or break reputations, these girls make your average playground politics look positively tame!

However, popularity comes at a price, particularly when Veronica meets the mysterious and brooding J.D. (Louis Hearsey). What follows is a rollercoaster of increasingly dark decisions, unexpected twists and some spectacularly questionable teenage judgement.

The cast was absolutely fantastic, bringing plenty of energy and bags of personality to the stage. Gerardine Sacdalan was outstanding as Veronica who serves as the show’s moral compass, finding herself constantly torn between rebellion and innocence. Her voice was powerful and she handled the emotional rollercoaster of the character incredibly well.  Louis Hearsey playing JD was equally as good, blending charm and danger in a way that made his scenes both captivating and unpredictable.

The three Heathers work brilliantly together, each bringing a distinct personality to the formidable trio while the supporting cast adds plenty of laughter to a show that includes a lot of dark themes. Kurt (Markus Sodergren) and Ram (Beau Jackson) did a great job as the ‘jocks’, goofing around the stage and spent most of the second half in just their underpants!

The music was great, from the infectious energy of Candy Store to the more emotional Seventeen and Gary Lloyd’s choreography keeps the action moving at a cracking pace. The musical is an interesting mix with wicked humour alongside some much darker themes with bullying, sexuality and mental health issues playing alongside the bright colours and big musical numbers. The story is very funny, but there is a serious message being told too about kindness, acceptance and the consequences of our actions.

This is not a musical for younger children but it is a cracking night out for those who enjoy their theatre with a little bite and is the perfect show to see at Halloween. Heathers the Musical is at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool until Saturday 31st October, click here to book tickets. Tickets start at £18

Photo Credits Pamela Raith

9 to 5 The Musical – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Dolly Parton’s smash hit 9 to 5 the Musical is currently touring the country and we were there for opening night at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre. Based on the much loved 1980 film which  starred Dolly and for which she wrote and composed all of the music and lyrics, this feel good musical is packed full of great songs and laugh out loud moments.

The show opens with Dolly Parton’s famous song, 9 to 5 followed by an introduction from Dolly herself via a ghettoblaster, instantly transporting the audience back to the time of my teenage years – the 1980’s. We hear Dolly’s voice again at the start of the second half and again  at the end which is a really nice touch for Dolly’s many fans.

For those not familiar with the story it follows three overworked office employees, Violet, Judy and Doralee, who are pushed to breaking point by their sexist, arrogant boss. Violet, played by Jade Marvin, is an experienced office supervisor who has worked at the company for years and is hoping for a promotion. Judy Bernly (Kayla Carter) is newly single and is entering the workplace for the first time and Doralee Rhodes (Karla Tracey) is PA to the slimy CEO, Franklin Hart Jnr, played by Tim Rogers. 

United by their frustrations, the trio form an unlikely friendship and soon begin imagining how much better life could be if someone finally stood up to Hart. What follows is a wonderfully funny adventure filled with some very clever twists and surprises along the way.

Whilst the majority of the employees dislike Hart, his admin assistant Roz Keith (played by Jessica Martin), is besotted with him. She gives a fantastic performance in what for me was a highlight of the night, in the song Heart to Hart, surprising the audience with her hilarious and raunchy performance.

The main cast members all gave brilliant performances. Karla Tracey is perfectly cast as Doralee, her voice was fantastic and perfectly mimics Dolly’s southern country style. Tim Rogers as Franklin Hart Jnr brings the house down, never taking the character seriously, completely playing for laughs and with perfect comic timing he is very, very funny from start to finish. 

Amanda Stoodley’s set was simple but effective and worked well as an office with the printers and office equipment cleverly hidden away. It was also very nice to see the band performing on stage rather than being out of sight below the stage. 

The show is packed full of catchy songs including 9 to 5, Backwards Barbie, Shine Like the Sun and One of the Boys and I guarantee that you will be humming them all the way home! 

You don’t need to be a Dolly fan to go and see this musical, if you want a good fun night out, where you’ll find yourself tapping your toes and laughing your way through then go and see it whilst it is at Blackpool. 

9 to 5 The Musical is at The Grand Theatre until Saturday 25th July with tickets starting at £18. For more information or to book tickets visit their website here

Photo credits Andrew Howard.

Grease The Musical at The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Days Out, Theatre

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughta and opinions are our own.

Blackpool Grand Theatre rolled out the pink carpet last night for its vibrant new production of Grease the Musical, presented in collaboration with Pitlochry Festival Theatre. From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was whisked away into the colourful world of 1950s American high school life, filled with teenage drama, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll energy.

As a lifelong fan of Grease, I arrived with high expectations and the brilliant cast exceeded them at every turn. What made this production really stand out was that the performers didn’t just sing and dance; many also played their own instruments live on stage. Rather than relying on a separate orchestra, the cast doubled as the band, seamlessly integrating guitars, saxophones, drums, and keyboards into the action. This added a raw, electric energy to the performance and gave the musical a fresh, live-concert feel.

Alexander Service delivered the perfect blend of swagger and vulnerability as Danny, effortlessly capturing the essence of the iconic character. His on-stage chemistry with Blythe Jandoo who played Sandy, was unmistakable, especially during their heartfelt duets, my favourite of which was their last song  “You’re the One That I Want.”

The choreography by Kally Lloyd Jones was also a highlight, from energetic hand jives to slick twists and turns, the cast nailed every move with infectious enthusiasm.

The staging was dynamic and clever, making full use of the Grand Theatre’s space with smooth transitions between Rydell High, Marty’s bedroom, and the burger bar. While the film’s famous car race scene was understandably omitted, Greased Lightning made a couple of thrilling appearances, including being impressively driven off stage to the audience’s delight.

As the show built to its joyous finale, the themes of change, acceptance, and young love came into sharp focus. Danny’s transformation into a letterman and Sandy’s bold new look sparked cheers, culminating in a high-energy rendition of “You’re the One That I Want.”

It was impossible to single out a favourite performer, each cast member brought something unique, and together they created a night of nostalgic, foot-tapping, feel-good theatre. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the story, this is a must-see show.

Tickets start at £15 with school and group rates available

Grease The Musical is at The Grand Theatre Blackpool Opera House until Saturday 14th June.

For more information or to book tickets visit: www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 290 190

Photo credit dannywithacamera.com