Reopening date set for Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre is set to reopen from July 4 – more than a year since it first closed.
The popular venue will kick-off on the same day with The Elvis World Tour, followed by a series of shows before a full season starts in September.
The landmark theatre's season will feature a string of hit musicals, many of the UK's leading comedians and a huge variety of music acts.
Chief executive and artistic director Adrian Jackson said: "Finally, there is a light at the end of the tunnel and the prospect of re-opening the Grand Theatre is incredibly exciting.
"With the dates set out in the Government roadmap, it has given us something to work towards. I can’t wait for the dressing rooms to be full of artists and crew members again, the band warming up and the magic returning to our stage.
"I know that when the times comes, the hard work and dedication from the team here at the theatre will result in the return of many happy theatregoers as well engaging and inspiring our community for the remainder of this year and in the many to follow."
A new brochure will be released in May – with the Cinderella pantomime, postponed from last year, making a return from December 4 this year and January 9 next year. It has retained 70 per cent of bookings from its original date.
Other shows include Jane McDonald on July 10, Francis Rossi on July 19, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and 9 to 5 The Musical in early August.
There will be the return of the Grand Theatre's Memory Cafe – which forms the core part of the theatre's Dementia Programme – in person, with the support group moving to a virtual setting.
It mean people will one again be able enjoy live performance and the many emotional and behavioural benefits that live music and entertainment has to those living with the condition. The launch and continuation of the project is only possible because of donations, chiefs have said.
Meanwhile, a second freelance Audience Development Consultant – Tonia Daley-Campbell – has been appointed to the theatre's audience development programme, which aims to help the theatre's audiences as diverse as the communities in Wolverhampton.
She said: "Change is coming! I'm so, so excited to be working with Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in my new role as Audience Development consultant. I've got such a strong vibrant community supporting me and I can’t wait to start the development work, watch this space."
