Hidden Secrets Of Blackpool's Grand Theatre | The Hidden Rooms!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- Exploring behind the scenes at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool, uncovering all of it's history and Hidden Secrets. We visit many areas that the public don't get to see, such as the loft spaces, basement levels and the fly tower.
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The Grand Theatre Blackpool
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Nicola Atanassova
Shaun Gorringe
David Renwick
Live Blackpool
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Charlie the Ghost
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COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
A special thank you to all video content film makers and photographers who's footage or pictures are featured in this video. These videos are made under Fair Use for educational purposes. All contributors and available links to their work can be seen in the videos description.
#adventureme #blackpool #thegrandtheatre #thegrand #blackpoolhistory #lancashire #theatre #behindthescenes
You definitely need your own History TV show. A wonderful voyage round this histrionic building. Beautifully done Darren.
Thank you
@@AdventureMe brilliant comment. Documentary quality. Enigmatic host. What's not to like.... 💡😲
The BBC would snatch it up, IF... you were in drag.. great stuff as always.
I worked at Sturtevant in Denton Manchester in the 1960s where the vacuum cleaners were made, it was a good place to work, another great video as always.
Darren, this hit the nail on the head for me. I'm a licensed mechanic and one of those "mechanical geeks" you mentioned. Anybody can go in and see the "pretty" part of the theatre but to see all the innerworkings is great, thanks.
Really interesting seeing behind the scenes! Not sure i’d brave the heights of that loft though 😰
Love these 'behind the scenes' videos, especially for me, the electrical stuff. Whenever I went to a theatre, I was often more interested in the technical stuff (Sound, lighting, dimmers, etc.) than what was on the stage! Great stuff! And thanks very much! Cheers!
Glad you enjoyed it!
That vacuum cleaning system carried on to the 1970's mainframe computer installations to ensure the dust didn't clog up the filters for the air cooling the electronics. We had one on the first GPO Telecoms big switching computer in London. It was in the days before integrated circuit computers and this one produced a lot of heat so needed a large airflow to cool it.
The air circulation was more about clearing the smoke from the audience who back in the day smoked pipes, cigars and cigarettes which would have obscured much of the views for all. Younger members of your channel will not have experienced the dense smoke in cimemas, theatres and clubs.Great video as always.
Thank you
Amazing finds, love the old vacuum cleaner! 😄
Wow that was indeed a fantastic little video of the grand Theatre lovely to see all those old places what’s behind and beneath and above them❤
Thank you
That's another interesting second part. The attic is especially beautiful to see
Great video!!
Always good to see the little details like the Sturtevent vacuum system. I had a quick search and an almost identical photo appears on their site, can't paste the link. Another great source is the museum of retro technology, Douglas self. This has a page on silent dustmen but no mention of Sturtevent. I see from one of the comments they were also produced in Manchester.
EDIT: The photo is identical, right down to the brickwork
Good luck from Spain!!
Thank you
Another great video! You never fail. Thank you for showing all of this to all of us.
That was a great piece of work Darren. I was thoroughly engrossed throughout the video. You've revealed parts of this amazing theatre to those of us who would never ever get to see them. The structure of the building from the basement to the loft and all the various modern and antique equipment contained in them was absolutely riveting viewing. It's really interesting to see how the ornate plaster ceiling is constructed especially when you think it was completed in the late 1800s. If I ever go to a show in The Grand in the future I'll always have your video in the back of my mind. Excellent!!👏👍
Absolutely brilliant, as always, and as the comments say. Many thanks Darren.
Thank you
Hey Darren
After leaving school in 1979, I could’ve left in 1978, I went to work at The Stage Newspaper. My first year was as an accounts junior. But, soon found my niche working as the Display Advertisement Manager and Production Manager, with oversight of putting the paper to bed on Tuesday night for circulation on Thursday, although the newspaper was always available in the “West End” on Wednesday evening, which was a bonus for artistes looking for jobs.
Soon after starting at The Stage I was fortunate enough to have gained access to its massive archive of publications, from its birth in 1880. There was nothing I found more fun than going through back issues looking at the wonderful adverts and editorials. My favourite “find” was a photograph of Laurel and Hardy at the Alhambra Theatre Bradford in 1952. With them was a chap named Sidney Vauncez (Simon Bloomfield), who was still the “Variety” editor 30 years later! His memory of that meeting was as sharp as if it had taken place the previous day!
In 1980 we held our centenary and I was lucky enough to meet the stars of the day. I recall being introduced to, amongst others, Barbara Windsor who was, at that time, married to Ronnie Knight. And Paul Daniels who had a curly perm.
Back at the offices I worked with several “resting” performers, one of whom was a young Peter Howitt who went on to direct Johnny English and moved to Hollywood.
But my favourite was the wonderful Danny La Rue. He would arrive in his Rolls Royce and sweep up into our reception. Then I’d take him into a private office where he’d share his latest publicity photo which would accompany the front page he’d taken out for our “summer season” edition. Such a lovely man!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful visit. There’s some very magical about the theatre!
Thank you Robin
allways great detail Darren 👌 allways 1st class 👏 👌
Another fantastic tour today….thank you as always for the video. Fabulous building and furnishings. See you on the next, Darren. Cheers mate!🇬🇧🙂👍🇺🇸
What you show on this video is completely and historically amazing. There's so much left of the original building's workings to be seen, it's like a maze of Victoriana! Going high up into that loft to see those oak beams of such large proportions must have been an experience for you. The vacuum pump sockets and machinery, I'd never heard of before. Incredible the lot, so many thanks, Darren.
Thank you very much!
Absolutely fascinating Darren!
You know how much I love these blackpool vids you never fail. Thanks for sharing with us👍
No problem 👍
@@AdventureMe shared on my little community page..every little helps I say😁
Fascinating stuff. Victorians built things to last
Another interesting video, thank you!. I find Theatres interesting, the way they work and operate. I think Most Haunted actually filmed there at one point. Should be on UA-cam somewhere. Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video Darren. 👍
Loved this one I learnt a few things from this like the origin of the name Box Office. I never knew about the vacuum systems either.
Been i the grand theatre many times in the late 1970s, thought it was lovely in there so glad it has been restored.
Love these vlogs ! I wish for many more ! Thank you Darren x
Why is it when I watch you great videos I get goosebumps love your videos
Absolutely fantastic - Thank You !
Fabulous Darren. You are a great Documentary Explorer and Narrator. Superb. Well done.
Thank you so much 😀
That was amazing video Darren its
surprise how big and beautiful the building really its and there lots of history with the building its great to see its enit every day you see it its excellent you can show us about blackpool history on this amazing channel I can't wait for more of Blackpool video keep up the hard work and amazing work up mate I hope you and your family and friends are well and safe
Thanks Wayne. All good here
Yes, thanks Darren and the grand theatre people.
Thank you
Another great tour and video Darren. Very interesting! Thanks for sharing mate. 👍
I remember you working to save the Grand. Good for you Bill
This is the kind of thing I adore to see. And one of the many reasons I fell in love and eventually worked in the industry.
Been a regular visitor to Blackpool since the 70's, absolutely love every single one of your Blackpool videos. It's great seeing how everything has changed and what remains.
Glad you enjoyed it
More excellent content Darren. Thank you.
Thank you
16:35 Nice little English Electric switch box there
Das war großartig. Danke für den Einblick.
Als normaler Zuschauer würde man dorthin nicht kommen. Ganz toll gemacht. LG
Excellent part 2 Darren. Really enjoyed the history of Grand Theatre - Thanks 👍🏻🎄⛄️
Hi Darren, great pt2 again my scroat was drawing up tight when you ventures up the ladder into the roof void!!! The commercial size Henry Hoover central vacuum system as you say is common in USA and a few YT vids of trades guys who unclogg the pipes if they are not cleared regularly 🧐 Cheers DougT
Yes that's a reaction not generally talked about, more like testicles running for cover!
@@nonoyorbusness nah I'm a plain speaking type of bloke😇 as Darren knows Cheers DougT
you certainly go to the unknown depths darrento bring us great vids
Thank you
Another great video Darren.
We have that walled vacuum system in the Hospital i work in in New Zealand
Thanks. That would be good to see running
hi,another really great video,so so interesting,well done
Bravo for another brill vid and thanks.
I was hoping that the cut off tubes at 13:30 would be a little more exciting.
You see they reminded me of a schoolboy nose around the similar area of the Bristol old Vic. We were told that there was a thunder making thing up in the attic by a guide.
Sure enough on an unauthorised exploration my mate and I found this wooden trough which ran from the back of the auditorium all the way down through the fly area above the stage.
And there was a cannonball, it looked like, sitting quietly behind a guard.
I got double detention for setting it off. A small price to pay for the wonderful row that it produced as well as a good dose of playground fame. For a day.
Intriguing documentary, as promised showing the bar from Blackpool Central ! I wonder if somewhere there is a photo of it in its original home
I tried to find one, but nothing...
Another brilliant video and I need that hoover 🤣🤣 but how far did it stretch that's the thing 😂. It's such a beautiful theatre 😊
Thanks so much 😊
Superb seeing the grand again as an old sand-grown boy ,my time was 1961 until 1984 before moving out of town after being hospitalized by clowns and spending 4/nights in Blackpool Vic …..
I worked central beach boats with Jim Stanhope and Frank Cornell from the lifeboat until I joined
And did 196 all outs and over 115 bodies dead soles …..I loved Blackpool my gran had boarding houses as did my mother bed and breakfast £6:50 a night chapel st central……and please do more Blackpool videos this made me cry to see how Blackpool is on some peoples videos and yours pure nostalgia ….brilliant let’s see more history of my town even the lifeboat house has gone of the prom….how sad …is the original lifeboat house on lytham rd still round or the lifeboat pub ?????
Thanks for the memories
Yes I believe the lifeboat house is still there
It must be quite some time since a cherub has been down into the boiler room. Strangely, you don't look entirely out of place, Darren! Bravo - very interesting!
Good point!
Absolutely fascinating
I love all your videos me and my husband love the history of blackpool did you know there's a time capsule under the tower before they lay the foundation stone
Yes apparently so.
Great video as always 👍
Thanks again Darren, I have been on a theatre tour, but only got to see a fraction of where you went. Keep up the good work
Glad you enjoyed it
Your tours of secret placed are unique. Those spaces between the ceiling and under the roof are interesting places to be in swimming pools it was where the water polo nets were lowered from in some pools the 1930vintage pools
Rear projection onto a screen is called a “Kinema”!
Fantastic video Darren - I could watch your videos and listen to you all day long! Look forward to them every week! 🙂
Wow, thanks
Love seeing behind the scenes to places I visit so often
brilliant, thank you x
You’re welcome 😊
Really enjoyed this, superbly done.I have seen the vacuum system in an American hotel on line it made quite an impression but I'd have never of guessed we'd have one right here in Blackpool.Modern conduit in a public place is none arcing used with none arcing cable.Cheers for these vlogs!
I'd never heard of it before
Thank you for showing us this
Hello from New Jersey, USA. That hole in the wall for the vacuum. I have never seen anything like that in my life.
Me neither until this.
Great video and it's fantastic that you're being invited and granted access to these places. Shows that you're well rated by people, an quite rightly so. Well done once again.
Thanks mate. More to come.
@@AdventureMe Just been watching the under Leeds Station double bill. Really good stuff.
Great video Darren it must cost a lot to maintain these big theatres, Nice One!
Thank you for the info lots of rooms here and there in these old buildings fascinating.
Marvellous..
Thanks for another cracking trip into the hidden parts of a wonderful building so interesting,thanks for the staff for letting you in
Thanks again!
Fascinating stuff great seeing what’s hidden away
Thanks Keith
Hello Darren how are you merry Christmas love your vidio on Blackpool the grand theatre how is Barney are you both looking forward to Christmas have you been on the sky flyer yet best wishes stay safe xx
Thank you. Barney is doing ok at the moment
I think the hoover suction system was only in Matchem's designed buildings as never seen them in other places Great vid as always
Great series, and being from the area it's amazing what history is in these places. I agree on the tunnel that was probably the correct route, I remember in an old job which was at an old WW2 airfield and they had tunnels which were all under the roads around the site, they too ended up carrying utilities in more recent times, Keep up the good work
Thanks matey
Superb content as ever Darren, my aunty had those inbuilt vacuum cleaner in her home in Canada back in the 80s.it looks nerve wracking on that wooden floor above the ceiling.
Thanks 👍
Thank you 🙏 your videos are fascinating behind the scenes where us Joe public would never see if it wasn't for you Keep up the great work pal. My mum worked behind the bar at Matcham bar at side of grand theatre (the theatre designer) but believe changed names now. I would often wait to pick her up from work but when ken Dodd was on she knew she wouldn't finish on time great guy couldn't get him off stage 😂
Much appreciated
Would love to see a ‘Hidden Secrets Of Blackpool Tower’ video! 😃
Working on it....
Subscribed recently and really enjoying the videos Darren. Especially the Blackpool ones, not been there for a good few years and want to revisit now to see what's changed. Hoping the Blackpool Tower visit comes off as that will be really interesting.
Thanks Charles, welcome aboard. Yes fingers crossed.
The grand tour was amazing mate
Must be circus time soon
Hi mate what's up sounds intriguing
At 6: 16 water pressure was said to be 50 bar , that would burst many things . 50 psi would be the maxium to be expected from the supply !
Fascinating, TY
Thanks John
A couple of great videos, thank you! I wonder if the pipe under the stage was for gas rather than electric? The joints look rather well sealed which electric conduit doesn't need to be. Just a thought.
You can definitely see the class system in that foyer - the obvious route is up the stairs to the expensive seats, whilst the stalls and the "gods" seem tacked on at the side to persuade you not to go there!
Loved it grand vid 😂😂 👍👍💪💪🙏🙏💞💞🍺🍺
Technophile is the term, not nerd which relates to computers, LoL.
And it was set-up as a rear projection picture theatre which was generally only done on theatres that had stages and large seating areas as there was no room or location for a projection booth without either losing seats or modifying the structure.
Many of the houses I lived in America, had a central vacuum system. I wouldn’t say it’s common, but it’s not unusual
Let me grab a beer……. 🎥 🍿 🍻…. Sorted
Hope you enjoyed the beer
Interesting!
Commentary mentions the original "pipes" that supplied electricity to the theatre. These "pipes" are usually referred to as "cables" and not pipes.
Please consider slowing down "camera" movements. The often quick camera movements can be distracting. Also, with quick camera movement, there is less time for the viewer to see what is trying to be shown. Also, rapid camera movement can cause disorientation and can lead to, in extreme cases, viewer nausea!
Consider using a stabilized camera mount (gimbal) to keep the camera as steady as possible when taking (static) shots.
I don't need a gimbal. The stabilisation on this camera is far better. Unfortunately it doesn't work as well in low light as I discovered after filming this. That's why it looks jarred. I learnt from this.
Cables are in pipes. Or they were in the Victorian period.
Why don’t they sell copies of those old posters Darren? They would fly off the shelves, your overseas viewers would love them, I’d buy a few. Another sterling effort btw
@_writemeontele_gramadventureme I have something for you too….🤌🤏🏼👌👆
Where are you from by the way?
From Bradford but live in Leeds
Dodd wouof fin about 0130 in the.morning
Long shows always busy
Is this the full tour you did
They go each.month
People should see a show visit tramtown too
Why do you have to have the escorts I find this very interesting but keep seeing these men
They're showing me round
Consider researching dangers of asbestos. When I see you poking around old roofs it comes to mind how you may encounter dangerous substances
No chance it has it otherwise it wouldn’t be frequented and used. Extremely strict H&S in the UK preventing what you’re saying. It would be out of bounds otherwise if any was found and areas would be off limits. You’re talking a bit of nonsense (with respect!) you need to research how the UK operates in regards to regs haha.
@@EnterShikari01 cool. And what is your experience in this field?
50 bar is excessive!
👍
Definitely don’t make building like this anymore
Fun fact. This guy did not have any permission to film, he just turned up with a camera, and started walking around.
I shouldn’t think ,….?
The theater's employees don't seem to mind.
If only it was that easy lol.
@@AdventureMe us true fans know exactly what goes into your brilliant productions, the legwork, the research, the planning & finally the execution………Thankyou Darren….
Is this guy serious? He cant pronounce Fol Di Rol? Think I’ll be skipping this tripe.
I can pronounce "what a nob" though for you. I think I'll skip this tripe.
@@AdventureMe👍👍👍 way to go Darren
I'll bet you're one of our American cousins 🙄 BTW do you even know what tripe is? It's an acquired taste but lovely 😉
Click bait wanker that wakes up every morning to see what replies he’s got…….we’ll enjoy this one mate…..
@@AdventureMe don’t rise to these idiots Darren……
Awesome video thank you! I loved seeing the cables for the stage pieces, that is insane, I have a new found appreciation for the hard graft that goes into theatre work. There’s a lot of hard work which needs to take place to make a show happen. I’d love to see those areas while a performance is taking place, you can feel the rawness of it all. All these years of performance and dedication to the arts. The place is alive !
Awesome, thank you!
Had to watch this and part 1 twice. Fascinating and astonishing at what is original to the building. As @lindseykaine-walley6339 says you need your own show.
Being a bricky all the hidden architecture just blew me away.
Fantastic 😁🧱👍🏽
You and me both! Check out the winter gardens series if you haven't seen it.