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Once a year on Blackpool Sands

Once a year on Blackpool Sands at The Loft at Davenport Theater

Why see Once a year on Blackpool Sands?

Off Broadway Premiere

Get your tickets for $32.50! Use discount code TM123 at checkout!

The true story of a love affair between two northern British miners forms the basis for this brand new comedy heading to New York this fall after a successful UK tour. Written by Karlton Parris and mounted by Manchester-based theatre company Skint Productions, expect an entertaining and touching look at the larger than life guests of the Withering Heights On Sea hotel in the famous beachside town of Blackpool as central couple Eddy and Tommy arrive for a vacation they'll never forget.

Set in 1953, Once a year on Blackpool Sands looks at the impact of the law (homosexuality was yet to be legalised) and its repercussions on this strange bunch - odd hotel owner Gladys, her rebellious daughter Maureen and the guests - Red Ethel the ex - communist show girl and Mr Elbridge, who's preparing himself for the fabled Transvestite walk from the North to South Pier. Into this step Eddy and Tommy on their annual getaway, not knowing that within hours a revelation from Eddy will change the course of their lives forever - setting them on a path to activism in the fight for equality and freedom of the LBGTQ community

Did you know?
This exciting engagement is just the first step for this play in 2018 - it's also being filmed as a new movie!

Key Information

Audience

18+

Run Time

130 minutes with an intermission

Dates

Finished Sep 9, 2018

Cast

Once a Year on Blackpool Sands stars features the original London and UK national tour cast:
Kyle Brookes as Eddy Corkhill; Macaulay Cooper as Tommy Price; Dominic McCavish as Phyllis (Mr Elbridge) and Red Ethel is played by Linda Clark, who has appeared on Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Doctors, Dr Who and That Peter Kay Thing. Real life mother and daughter Wendy Laurence James and Mollie Jones, play mother and daughter Gladys and Maureen in the stage production. Manchester-based writer Karlton Parris met the real-life Eddy and Tommy in a bar in Greece 30 years ago and heard their powerful, enthralling, inspirational, and funny, true story.

Creative

Written by Karlton Parrish

Reviews

Customer reviews

7 reviews, average rating: (5.0 Stars)

Cat Quigley

ONCE A YEAR ON BLACKPOOL SANDS

This was such a great show tonight! Well done to such a talented cast. Great writing and one liners. I laughed and cried. So important to teach everyone about 🏳️‍🌈 LBGT rights and amazing this story was true back in the day. ... Read more

Tony Richardson

ONCE A YEAR ON BLACKPOOL SANDS (REVIEW PART 2)

The only other paying guest is Mr Elbridge (Dominic McCavish) it would take more than a few lines to describe the astonishing array of characters Dominic McCavish skillfully and expertly inhabits at the drop of a showman's hat. This production has it all in seaside bucket loads,love laughs tears and heartbreak,but ultimately this is a true story of two young men starting out in life together against impossible odds. Karlton Parris should be congratulated for casting Eddy and Tommy.The total conviction,attention to detail,chemistry and realism is off the scale. Kyle Brooks and Macaulay Cooper electrify the stage. The end of the play will stay with me for a very long time.Karlton Parris through love skill and unrivaled tenacity has recreated a beautifully moving historic event. ... Read more

Tony Richardson

ONCE A YEAR ON BLACKPOOL SANDS (REVIEW PART 1)

Karlton Parris's ground breaking theatrical rollercoaster takes us back to a day when a large percentage of human relationships friendships and opinions was not only frowned upon but were downright dangerous,personal insults were just the start of it and physical attacks frequent. Two young miners Eddy (Kyle Brooks) Tommy (Macaulay Cooper) have booked a room at the Withering Heights guest house. We observe the strained enthusiasm and awkwardness brilliantly played out by Kyle Brooks and Macaulay Cooper. But this is where the fun starts! Now there is nothing funny about someone who has suffered a stroke with the exception of Red Ethel superbly played by Linda Clark who pulls every trick from her vast theatrical goody bag. This really is a family affair as real life mother and daughter Gladys (Wendy Laurence James) Maureen (Mollie Jones) positively sizzle with Blackpool naughtiness,a brilliant double act which just kept giving. Sigmund Freud would have a field with these two! More ... Read more
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