World-Famous Blackpool Illuminations seen on stage in Mr Blackpool at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Mr Blackpool concludes its second tour at Blackpool Grand Theatre on 20 May for a very special Homecoming Gala, featuring an incredible opportunity to see the iconic Blackpool illuminations on stage, including Decodance designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

The cast of Mr Blackpool from Harry Clayton-Wright, a Blackpool-made show created in collaboration with leading artists from the town, can today announce they will be joined on stage at Blackpool Grand by a selection of Blackpool’s iconic illuminations on Wednesday 20 May for an extra special Homecoming Gala performance of the glittering, ‘end of the pier show at the end of the world’. This will be a special opportunity to see Blackpool’s world famous illuminations in a brand new context, brought to you in partnership with Blackpool Grand Theatre, Blackpool Illuminations, Lightpool and Marlborough Productions. 

Adam Knight, Chief Executive, Blackpool Grand Theatre said “I’m absolutely delighted that Blackpool Grand Theatre is hosting the homecoming gala of Harry Clayton-Wright’s outstanding Mr Blackpool and partnering with the world-famous Illuminations to help create what promises to be the most spectacular “Seaside Spectacular” of the entire tour.

There’s nowhere quite like Blackpool and bringing together two of Lancashire’s leading Arts Council England-funded National Portfolio Organisations to amplify the reach and impact of Harry’s remarkable work is incredibly exciting. Created with four locally based artists and made for local audiences, this collaboration speaks powerfully to Blackpool’s spirit of progress, creativity, and entrepreneurialism.” 

While other details of Mr Blackpool’s Homecoming Gala are to be a surprise for audiences, the night will feature a number of classic illuminations, including a piece from the fabulous art-deco inspired ‘Decodance’ series, designed by acclaimed maximalist interior designer and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. First exhibited in 2007, Llewelyn-Bowen’s installation features six larger-than-life burlesque performers in a dazzling style reminiscent of the glamour of the 1930s. Steeped in British heritage, Blackpool’s world-famous illuminations first lit up the seaside town almost 150 years ago in 1879, a year before Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb. A wonder of the modern world that can be seen from space, the illuminations are traditionally turned on at the end of the summer; this year on Friday 4 September.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Creative Curator, Blackpool Illuminations shared “I have always had a deep affection for Blackpool’s Grand Theatre, one of the most beautiful venues in the region, and I am absolutely thrilled that Decodance will be contributing to the vibrant onstage technicolour, illuminating the stage in spectacular fashion for the highly-anticipated Mr. Blackpool Homecoming Gala.”

Mr Blackpool is lovingly created by award-winning Blackpool-based theatremaker and performer Harry Clayton-Wright and is just about to complete its second national tour and returns home having delighted audiences up and down the country. The show is rooted in the traditions of end-of-the-pier entertainment, drawing on the town’s enduring connection to showbusiness and heritage entertainment artforms. It lays bare both the glitz and grit of the iconic seaside town in lurid technicolour and garish spectacle, using autobiography, local legend, class and politics as inspiration for cabaret and variety turns.

Clayton-Wright is joined on stage by three of Blackpool’s finest delights: Aysh De Belle and Sam De Belle, a married dancing duo whose dazzling work has been seen on both stage and screen, and introducing Blake Rainey, a spectacular emerging young performer trained by the De Belles at House of Wingz in Blackpool, who was selected to be part of the prestigious Sadler’s Wells’ National Youth Dance Company (NYDC) cohort in 2025. In a series of acts inspired by personal story and the town’s history, these Blackpool treasures promise pure escapism with flavours of cabaret, variety, drag, dance, magic and sideshow.

Adding these showstopping illuminations to Mr Blackpool makes this Homecoming Gala an extra special celebration of Blackpool, its people and what makes people fall in love with the quintessential British seaside resort while celebrating the exceptional talent that originates from the town. 

Aysh de Belle, performer and collaborator on Mr Blackpool and Creative Director at Blackpool dance school House of Wingz, said “Bringing Mr. Blackpool home is going to be an absolute pleasure. We have had such an incredible time touring it over the last year, and sharing it with audiences up and down the country. The response has been so heartwarming and affirming. I think it’s safe to say that the final date of our tour, in the beautiful Grand Theatre, is going to be incredibly moving for all of us. And standing on stage will feel all the more profound as we share it with some of Blackpools most iconic lights. I am so excited for the people of Blackpool to see our show.”

Mr Blackpool was developed alongside some of UK theatre’s most brilliant creatives, with dramaturgy courtesy of both luminary theatre maker, director and performance artist Ursula Martinez (C’est Duckie, La Clique, La Soirée, A Family Outing, Wild Bore) alongside acclaimed actor, activist and broadcaster Scottee (The Listeners, BBC One; Self Help; After the Tone; Loose Ends; BBC Radio 4). Choreographer, director and House of Ghetto founder, Darren Pritchard, as movement director and further dramaturgy, with costume design from Olivier-nominated and WhatsOnStage award winning Ryan Dawson Laight (La Cage aux Folles, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre; Troilus and Cressida, Shakespeare’s Globe, Ride the Cyclone, Southwark Playhouse; My Son’s a Queer (But What Can You Do?), New York, West End, Edinburgh Fringe, Turbine Theatre). Plus, sound design from multidisciplinary artist and creative director Oliver Gregory, otherwise known as Miss Titty Kaka, who started their career at legendary Blackpool drag institution Funny Girls when they were just 18 years old. 

Commissioned by leading UK producer of queer-led intersectional performance, Marlborough Productions, and Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts with public funding from Arts Council England, this theatrical spectacular comes home to Blackpool on Wednesday 20 May at Blackpool Grand. Book your tickets today, click here. 

David Sheppeard, Co-Creative Director and Joint CEO of Marlborough Productions added “It’s been a complete joy to support Harry and the company to bring Mr Blackpool from dream to reality. The show has Blackpool magic running through its core like a stick of rock and it’s wonderfully fitting that this collaboration with the world-famous illuminations will cap off our tour at The Grand with added sparkle. Marlborough Productions is so proud of the work we do in Blackpool it’s a continued privilege to collaborate with talented creatives across the town to make cultural projects happen that build community in new and exciting ways.”

Image details: The cast of Mr Blackpool pose with the Decodance Illuminations, designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, l-r Blake Rainey, Harry Clayton-Wright, Aysh de Belle, Sam de Belle, Credit: William Durocher