CALENDAR GIRLS, ROCKY HORROR SHOW, and More Announced For New Season at Wolverhampton Grand

Wolverhampton Grand has announced a new season. Tickets go on sale:

Friends of the Grand - 11am Friday 9 November

General Public - 11am Wednesday 14 November (online and phones) 12pm (in person at the Box Office)

Rodgers and Hammerstein are as popular as ever. THE SOUND OF RODGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN on Sunday 7 April celebrates the duo in Wolverhampton. Every day, somewhere in the world, one of their musicals plays to packed houses. From Oklahoma! to The Sound of Music, Carousel to The King and I and South Pacific, this production recaptures the essence of The Kings Of the Broadway musical. Marilyn Hill Smith (Mother Abbess in the recent national tour of The Sound of Music) heads the cast and orchestra as they sing their way through medleys from the classic musical theatre shows. There isn't a song here you won't know and won't want to sing-along too. So why not treat yourself to an afternoon of musical theatre magic.

We are delighted to welcome Birmingham Royal Ballet to the Grand Theatre for the first time ever on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May. As part of our 125th Anniversary celebrations, Birmingham Royal Ballet present a delightful Programme, specially designed for families to make ballet even more accessible for younger audiences, whilst still delighting and entertaining adults with live music by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. SEASONS IN OUR WORLD is a thrilling and inventive new dance production that explores the cycle of the seasons and the impact that the ever-changing climate has on communities. Choreographed by the Company's Laura Day, Kit Holder and Lachlan Monaghan, this new commission features a new score by award-winning composer Cevanne Horrocks-Hopayian. In the same evening, PETER AND THE WOLF offers a modern take on this iconic fairy tale by Sergei Prokofiev. This second new commission, choreographed by the Company's Ruth Brill, blends classical ballet with urban influences to create a vibrant, energetic and all-round entertaining production such as you've never seen before.

As part of the special BRB programme, Nick Owen opens a Birmingham Royal Ballet Gala evening on Saturday, hosting an exclusive audience with Birmingham Royal Ballet's Artistic Director David Bintley. This will be one of David's final appearances before he steps down after over 20 years at the helm of one of the country's most successful ballet companies. PETER AND THE WOLF and SEASONS IN OUR WORLD will then follow.

Jane McDonald returns on Thursday 6 June. One of the nation's best-loved entertainers, the BAFTA award-winning star of Cruising with Jane McDonald and Jane & Friends always delivers a stunning performance and along with her fantastic live band, guarantees to bring audiences to their feet on this evening of music and laughter! With a sell-out show at the Grand in 2018, book early to secure your seat for what promises to be another memorable evening.

Northern Ballet return to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre with PUSS IN BOOTS on Friday 7 June. Puss in Boots is no ordinary cat. Clever and charming, he takes life in his stride and befriends everyone he meets. PUSS IN BOOTS is the perfect opportunity for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre. With sell-out performances and a string of hugely successful CBeebies TV adaptations, Northern Ballet's productions for children are not to be missed. This child friendly performance lasts approximately 40 minutes. A purr-fect family treat!

SOLID GOLD ROCK N ROLL returns on Saturday 8 June but this time, to celebrate Marty Wilde's 80th birthday alongside Eden Kane, Mike Berry, The Wildcats and Little Miss Sixties and Nancy Ann Lee. Performing their own hits and collaborating live on stage, Marty, Eden and Mike, teen idols of their day, show us how rock n roll with its fusion of sound and rhythm shaped the style of music that we listened to then and still do today. This night of non-stop hits includes the songs A Teenager In Love, Rubber Ball, Donna, I Don't Know Why, Well I Ask You, Don't You Think It's Time, The Sunshine of Your Smile, Venus In Blue Jeans, Go Away Little Girl.

80S MANIA, Europe's official 1980's multi-tribute concert featuring 25 chart topping pop icons authentically recreated with live band and awesome dancers, bursts back onto the Grand Theatre stage on Saturday 21 September. Performing over 35 chart topping smash-hits live in concert, with tributes to Duran Duran, The Human League, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Madonna, Wham!, Nena, Toni Basil, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Bananarama, Dead or Alive, Madness and more.

CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth, is the award-winning production based on the true story of the Calendar Girls, a group of ordinary women who achieved something extraordinary from Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28 September. This marvellous musical comedy which received fantastic five star reviews in London's West End now comes to Wolverhampton. The Times called CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL 'pure gold'. Don't miss your chance to see this glorious production direct from London's West End.

From Monday 14 - Saturday 19 October Richard O'Brien's legendary rock 'n' roll musical, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, returns to the UK as part of a sell-out worldwide tour, having now been seen by over 30 million theatregoers. Directed by Christopher Luscombe and featuring timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic-thrusting Time Warp, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is the story of two squeaky clean college kids - Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank n Furter. It's an adventure they'll never forget...

Bilston Operatic Company present MY FAIR LADY from 12 - 16 November. It is the time-honoured tale of an unlikely relationship between a Cockney flower seller, Eliza Doolittle, and an upper class Phonetics Professor, Henry Higgins. Eliza believes Higgins can teach her to improve how she speaks so she can become a lady in a flower shop. However, Higgins wagers a bet that he can pass her off as a Duchess at the Embassy Ball. Come and follow the highs and lows of this engaging story which includes some really great musical numbers including Wouldn't It Be Loverly, I'm Getting Married In The Morning, I Could Have Danced All Night and many more familiar melodies.

SOUNDS OF THE 60S LIVE WITH Tony Blackburn on Thursday 28 November is hosted by Radio 2's legendary DJ Tony Blackburn himself. It's an evening of 60s classics performed live by the Sounds Of The 60s All Star Band & Singers. Every week, more than a million people tune in to BBC Radio 2 to hear Tony Blackburn wax lyrical about the biggest stars of the 60s - with stories and songs from this most loved decade, come along and spend the evening with Tony, as he brings SOUNDS OF THE 60s LIVE WITH Tony Blackburn from the studio to the stage!

The new season will be on sale from 11am on Friday 9 November to Friends Of The Grand. Public sales open 11am on Wednesday 14 November to book online and over the phone and 12pm to general public in person at the Box Office. Tickets can be bought online at grandtheatre.co.uk, by calling 01902 42 92 12 or in person at the Box Office.

Already on sale from the new season is AN EVENING WITH Brian Blessed on Wednesday 27 March, AN AUDIENCE WITH SIMON REEVE on Thursday 28 March and ELKIE BROOKS on Thursday 25 April.

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