Wolverhampton Grand Theatre reveals new season celebrating 125 years
A bumper new season at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre to mark its 125th anniversary has been unveiled.
Featuring everything from Birmingham Royal Ballet to a Rodgers and Hammerstein extravaganza, there will also be TV favourite Jane McDonald, documentary maker Simon Reeve, British Queen of Blues Elkie Brooks and renowned actor Brian Blessed.
The Sound of Rodgers and Hammerstein on April 7 celebrates the music-making duo behind The Sound of Music, Carousel, The King and I, Oklahoma! and South Pacific. The production sees Marilyn Hill Smith – Mother Abbess in the recent national tour of The Sound of Music – head the cast and orchestra as they sing their way through medleys from the classic musical shows.
Birmingham Royal Ballet makes its first ever visit on May 24–25 as part of the theatre’s anniversary celebrations, with a programme aimed at young people, with Seasons In Our World exploring the impact of climate on communities, and a modern take on Peter And The Wolf.
As part of the special BRB programme, Nick Owen opens a Birmingham Royal Ballet Gala evening on the second night, hosting an audience with the ballet company’s artistic director David Bintley. Northern Ballet also returns to the Grand with a child-friendly 40-minute performance of Puss In Boots on June 7.
Calendar Girls The Musical, the award-winning production based on a true story, comes for a week’s run between September 24–28 and is followed in October by the legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical The Rocky Horror Show which is returning to the UK as part of a sell-out worldwide tour.
Bilston Operatic Company presents My Fair Lady from November 12–16, while legendary DJ Tony Blackburn will present Sounds of the 60s on November 28, featuring classics performed live along with the DJ’s own stories from the decade.
Solid Gold Rock ‘N’ Roll returns on June 8, this time celebrating the 80th birthday of former teen idol Marty Wilde alongside Eden Kane, Mike Berry, The Wildcats and Little Miss Sixties and Nancy Ann Lee.
An 80s Mania tribute concert features 25 chart-topping pop icons, like Duran Duran, The Human League, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Madonna, Wham!, whose music is recreated by a live band and dancers on September 21.
Tickets for the new season went on sale yesterday to Friends Of The Grand members and from Wednesday to the general public.
Visit grandtheatre.co.uk or call 01902 429212 or head to the theatre box office.
