Dance Greats take to Grand Stage

Expect immense physicality, candid conversation, and maybe a little (or lot!) of backstage gossip as celebrated dance icons Sleep, Wilton, Horwood and Simone take to the Blackpool Grand stage!

Blackpool Grand Theatre launches a dance season like no other with some of the greatest dance names of our time. From the Royal Ballet’s Wayne Sleep to renowned choreographer James Wilton and BBC Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood and Vincent Simone - this sensational season offers something for everyone across all dance genres!

For the very first time, dance icon Wayne Sleep invites you to join him as he looks back over a glittering career spanning five decades, with a little bit of dance and the unique opportunity of a Q&A in his exciting new An Evening with Wayne Sleep on Sunday 27 March. Dame Ninette De Valois – the founder of the Royal Ballet – described Wayne as ‘…the greatest virtuoso dancer the Royal Ballet has ever produced’.  Using his own rare film footage and photos, Wayne will describe how he became a Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet with numerous roles specially created for him before moving on to starring roles in the West End, founding his own dance company and touring the world with it in his show Dash.

One of Europe’s most in-demand dance companies returns to Blackpool’s Grand on Tuesday 29 March as James Wilton Dance present the powerful new work The Four Seasons. Wilton uses Max Richter’s recomposed version of Vivaldi’s seminal work The Four Seasons, and has created a work of immense physicality, driving energy and sweeping beauty. The work features the company’s signature blend of capoeira, acrobatics, martial arts and classical dance, alongside stunning stage and costume designs. This abstract, yet honestly human choreography relates each of the four seasons of the musical composition to the four stages of the universe - creating a kaleidoscopic visual feast for audiences that is not to be missed.

Northern Ballet will pirouette into The Grand on Tuesday 5 April for an original retelling of Carlo Collodi’s classic children’s story Pinocchio. This charming tale of the playful wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy their first experience of live ballet, music and theatre. With sell-out performances and a string of hugely successful CBeebies TV adaptations, Northern Ballet’s productions for children are the perfect introduction to the magical world of ballet.

The colourful co-host of BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood will foxtrot into The Grand on Sunday 15 May as he packs up his dance shoes and takes to the road with his debut solo tour. Tickets are in high demand! Horwood will reveal a wealth of backstage gossip with his trademark wit and candour as he talks about his life from Australia to the West End and BBC Strictly and gives a very special performance of some of the music which has been the soundtrack to his career. Fab-u-lous darling!

Sticking with the BBC Strictly theme… Argentine Tango King and Strictly Come Dancing legend, the inimitable Vincent Simone returns to the stage in 2022 with his brand-new show Tango Passions on Sunday 16 October. Let the original Italian stallion take you on a journey to Buenos Aires and enjoy his dancing, tales and poetry about the history of the Argentine Tango accompanied by world-class Argentine Tango specialists. Vincent will also be joined by his professional dance partner, Ksenia Zsikhotska from DWTS Ireland and The Ballroom Boys, featuring music from Astor Piazzolla and Gotan Project, along with some original Tango music by the wonderful live band.

What are you waiting for! Step to it and book your tickets for this dazzling season of dance!

An Evening with Wayne Sleep is Sunday 27 March, James Wilton’s The Four Seasons is Tuesday 29 March, Northern Ballet’s Pinocchio is Tuesday 5 April, Craig Revel Horwood is Sunday 15 May and Vincent Simone – Tango Passions is Sunday 16 October. Times vary.

Don’t miss this eclectic selection of dance at Blackpool Grand Theatre. Book now by visiting blackpoolgrand.co.uk or call the box office on 01253 290 190.

LISTINGS

An Evening with Wayne Sleep - Sun 27 Mar 2022 at 7.30pm

James Wilton’s the Four Seasons - Tue 29 Mar at 7.30pm

Northern Ballet’s Pinocchio - Tues 5 Apr at 2pm & 4pm

Craig Revel Horwood - Sun 15 May at 7.30pm

Vincent Simone – Tango Passions – Sun 16 Oct at

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

Box Office 01253 290 190

blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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