Blackpool Grand theatre is an important National institution.   It is a Grade 11 listed building with seating for 1100 people in a four tiered auditorium and was designed in 1894 by Frank Matcham who is generally recognized as the finest theatrical architect of his generation. It cost £20,000 to build and was completed in nine months. From its opening Thomas Sergenson the theatrical manager referred to the building as ‘Mitcham’s Masterpiece’.  The theatre has a dressed brick and stone exterior with a corner entrance in baroque style with an elaborate fishscaled copper covered dome over the attic roof, which is topped by a lantern structure.  Inside it has glorious curving baroque balconies.

The Grand has hosted numerous great performances over the years, ranging from the classics of English literature such as Hamlet with Herbert Beerbohm Tree, American musicals, and British comedies.  For forty years West End producers chose it as the stage for British premier performances of their musicals and plays.  Many great stars have performed there.  From 1940, summer holiday season shows were held at the theatre and in the following two decades farces were presented there with comedians such as Arthur Askey , Hilda Baker and Jack Douglas.