A thrilling new season of dance

Bold, imaginative and of the highest quality - love dance in all its forms at the Grand Theatre Blackpool in 2014.

There's a stunning new season of live performances including hotly anticipated new works from celebrated choreographer James Wilton, the welcome return of Northern Ballet with its delightful children’s production Three Little Pigs and the debut of the one-day international hip hop festival Breakin’ Convention 2014. Make it your resolution to try an exhilarating live theatre experience this year… 

Blackpool’s beautiful Grand Theatre continues its mission to become a regional centre of excellence for contemporary dance with a packed programme of wonderful new works from renowned dance companies alongside a showcase of fresh new talent; all combining to bring vibrant, passionate, raw dance full of energy and expression. 

The high-octane spectacular Tap Factory smashes into The Grand on Sunday 2 March.This tremendously visual and exciting show brings together tap dance, hip hop, comedy and aerial acrobatics in an urban setting. Think Stomp meets Tap Dogs! International musicians and the world’s best tap dancers blend mind-blowing live percussion with dance and acrobatics in this dynamic work created by Vincent Pausanias which comes direct to the UK as part of a sell-out world tour. 

The Triple Bill from Dancing Partners on Tuesday 18 March brings together a trio of thought-provoking works. Choreographer Thomas Noone said of the powerfully primal Beautiful Beast by Norrdans – ‘magical horses, goddesses, warriors, fires - when I first heard the music of Scandanavian folk band Gjallahorn I was taken to a mythical world at once very old and also timeless, ancient and contemporary, and so wanted to create my own atemporal tale through dance to compliment their soundscape.’ 

Athletic yet sensitive, Push from Company Chameleon is a potent and engaging duet which looks at the different stances we take as we relate to one another and the complex nature of our psychology. The raw and powerful Brutal Love Poemsfrom Thomas Noone Dance Company explores the animal we conceal inside and reveal only at the most intimate.

The two halves of Michael Keegan-Dolan’s breathtaking double bill from Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre on Tuesday 1 April are a contrast in light and dark that mirrors the Stravinsky music of the same name. The imagery in The Rite of Spring is dark, shocking, violent and sexual. The rhythmic elements of the music are played out in scenes of a pagan fertility rite, as age is sacrificed and Mother Earth is worshipped. By contrast Petrushka is bright and light. Elements of folk dances and warmer days are conjured as the company dances for approval from their ancestors. 

Innovative North West Graduate Dance Company 12◦ North introduces a new Triple Bill with a work of daring, intense physicality and infectious energy by the talented James Wilton - the choreographer for the Opening Ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. In contrast, Lea Anderson creates fascinating, challenging and visually stunning dance theatre which bursts with idiosyncratic movement. Guest Emma Lansley also presents her trio Talking to Mia and Butch - a quirky piece with a light twist, focusing on the complex lives of three socially awkward individuals. With music by Kate Bush and a hint of lemons, this is humorous and heart-warming dance. 

After the fantastic sell-out success of Ugly Duckling, Northern Ballet is delighted to bring their enchanting new ballet for children, Three Little Pigs on Saturday 5 April. Three little pigs set out into the world. The first pig decides to build a house of straw, the second a house made of sticks and the third pig chooses to build a house of bricks. Then along comes a very hungry wolf. The wolf begs each little pig to invite him in for dinner. 

When they refuse he threatens to huff and puff and blow their houses down. Will any of the pigs be smart enough to escape the big bad wolf? Bringing the timeless fairytale to life, Three Little Pigs is the perfect opportunity to introduce your little ones to the magic of live ballet, music and theatre. 

Danger, the fragility of existence and the desire to survive; we’re surrounded by these things in the relentlessness of life. How do we respond? With fear, anger, determination? Last Man Standing from James Wilton Dance on Tuesday 8 April is dance driven by unparalleled energy and athleticism, performed by world class dancers and is the eagerly anticipated new work from rising star James Wilton. 

Fast becoming renowned for exhilarating choreography that leaves you breathless, James’ work draws on martial arts, break dancing and capoeira to create raw, earthy and ground-breaking performance. All of this propelled by a trademark soundtrack of heavy rock, ambient music and textured soundscapes. Save your breath, it may be your last. 

Join Ballet Theatre UK in a dramatic re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s all-time favourite story of The Little Mermaid on Sunday 27 April, who falls in love with a human Prince and gives up everything to win his love. Ballet Theatre UK’s charismatic and poignant ballet explores the nature of longing, how making choices has lasting consequences and how goodness can be rewarded in unexpected ways. 

The international festival of hip hop dance theatre Breakin’ Convention 2014 makes its dazzling debut in Blackpool on Tuesday 3 June with a line-up of jaw-dropping performances by companies from around the world and around the corner. Hosted and curated by UK hip hop theatre pioneer Jonzi D alongside performances from local crews, Breakin’ Convention is more than just a show - DJs, dancers, demonstrations and more take over the theatre in the ultimate celebration of hip hop culture. 

Blackpool’s Grand Theatre continues to bring a dazzling new dimension to dance in 2014. Book your seats now and enjoy…

Tap Factory- Sunday 2 March at 7.30pm

Dancing Partners -Triple Bill- Tuesday 18 March at 8pm

Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre- The Rite of Spring & Petrushka – Tuesday 1 April at 8pm

(Please note: Age suitability 16+ contains nudity, sexual imagery and smoking)
12◦ North Dance Company Triple Bill - Thursday 3 April at 8pm
(Age Suitability 13+) 

Northern Ballet’s Three Little Pigs –Saturday 5 April at 12.15pm, 2pm & 4pm 

James Wilton Dance – Last Man Standing – Tuesday 8 April at 8pm 

Ballet Theatre Uk’s -The Little Mermaid - Sunday 27 April at 3pm 

Breakin’ Convention 2014 – Tuesday 3 June at 8pm 

Call Box Office on 01253 74 33 39 or visit blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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