gPlayer Launch

After the massive success of Blackpool’s Grand Theatre’s interactive gBook, the theatre has decided to launch a brand new, video platform too. Following the huge demand in downloading the video service, with 45,000 downloads, the popular visitor resource is has spurred the creation of a new addition to visitor interactivity. The new video service? gPlayer.

The announcement of the new platform came last Tuesday, with a press release from Blackpool’s Grand Theatre. ‘gPlayer is a new video platform, a one-stop place to view promotional trailers of forthcoming shows, behind the scenes footage, masterclasses and cast, choreographer and director interviews, historic materials, plus discover more about their Creative Learning Programme.’

The theatre aims to make a massive 20% of all its business operations digital between 2018-2022. Supported by the Arts Council England, the aim is to turn media, system operations and other additions digital in the next 4 years.

Marketing manager, Andrew Howard, talked about the new interactive services the theatre offer.

‘The gPlayer, gBook and goVR platforms were born out of so many requests to learn about and tour the theatre, in addition we had so many American and Asian visitors, online and in person wanting to look around the building we thought by offering many things digitally as well as a 3D Virtual Reality option of touring the theatre we could offer it to people all over the world. The two newer platforms have already received tens of thousands of views and we have already embarked on a specific campaign’

CEO, Ruth Eastwood, stated, ‘The Grand survives on the generosity of donations and the support of its locals. We try where we can with income and fundraising to achieve great value for the local community.

‘Last year, 10,000 school children benefitted from seeing a performance at the theatre.  A further 3,000 young people performed on the stage. In addition, 30 local schools are part of our literacy project in partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company.  So, you can be assured every £1 we receive goes towards great projects.’

For more information about Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, click HERE.