A glittering line-up for the Grand
A Take That tribute featuring a TV hunk, Les Dennis performing in a hit musical plus cult classics, comedy and edge-of-your-seat dramas – Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre has announced its latest packed season of shows.
The mixed programme of shows has been lined up as part of the Grand's autumn series and bosses say there is something to appeal to all ages and tastes.
Inspired by The Who's legendary album Quadrophenia, the hit stage show of the same name, set in London and Brighton at the height of the 1960s, will be kicking off the series from September 22 to 26.
Light-hearted TV comedy the Dinnerladies, created by comedy legend Victoria Wood, will be brought to life on stage from September 28 to October 3, featuring Andrew Dunn and ex-Coronation Street actress Shobna Gulati from the original cast.
Former Family Fortunes host Les Dennis will be helping to bring a slice of one of the popular musicals of the moment to life when he appears as Mr Fulton in High School Musical 2 from October 20 to 24.
And the catchy hits of Abba, including Mamma Mia, Voulez Vous, Dancing Queen and Super Trouper, will be celebrated from October 27 to 31 in a production of Abba Mania. Top comedian Simon Amstell will be delivering his unique sense of humour on October 6, while heart-warming Oscar-winning movie Rain Man will be adapted for the stage featuring former Men Behaving Badly star Neil Morrissey, Oliver Chris from Green Wing, and Coronation Street's Charles Lawson, famous for playing Jim McDonald.
The show, described by critics as "a stage miracle" and "profoundly moving", will be staged from November 2 to 7.
West End show The Grass is Greener, which went on to be adapted to a movie starring Cary Grant, will run from November 9 to 14. The production will star Bergerac's Lisa Goddard, who was born in Smethwick, as well as Christopher Cazenove, Bad Girls star Jack Ellis and Holby City's Sophie Ward.
The legendary Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Dean Martin will be celebrated in The Rat Pack - Live From Las Vegas on November 25, following four critically-acclaimed years in London's West End.
Take That's biggest hits will come to life in Never Forget from November 24 to 28 featuring Brookside star Philip Olivier, while theatre lovers will pull on their stockings, suspenders and corsets for the return of cult classic Rocky Horror Show from February 24 to 27.
Willy Russell's critically acclaimed Blood Brothers, telling the moving tale of twins separated at birth and described as "the greatest musical of the decade", is back due to popular demand from May 10 to 22.
Grand Theatre spokesman Iain Watkins said: "It is an exciting line-up and there is a huge variety of shows for everyone to enjoy."
The new autumn programme has been announced just weeks after bosses revealed the smash-hit musical Hairspray would be coming to the theatre for a three-week run next summer as part of a spectacular national tour.
The show is enjoying a revival following a film version starring John Travolta and Michelle Pfieiffer two years ago.
Hairspray opened in October 2007 to universal critical acclaim. It also won Best Actor in a Musical for Michael Ball. Casting for the UK tour is yet to be announced.
Visit www.grandtheatre.info for more details on all shows.
