Admission All Classes

The thrilling heritage of fairground, music hall, circus and seaside entertainment will be brought to life in a series of events in Blackpool.

From circus curiosities and side-shows to brilliant burlesque, the spectacular events will be curated by Director of the National Fairground Archive Dr Vanessa Toulmin and have been dubbed `Admission All Classes´.

Larger, grander and more spectacular than any similar project previously conceived, "Admission All Classes" aims to revitalise the entertainment and cultural industry quarter at the UK's premier entertainment resort with a series of events based upon research about the history of fairground, music hall, circus and sea-side entertainments.

 "Admission all Classes", is a partnership between the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield Library and Blackpool Council Department of Leisure, Culture and Community Learning with the full support of Blackpool's Theatre Group.  Blackpool’s premier venues, such as the Grand Theatre (designed by Matcham in 1894), the Central, South and North Piers, the Winter Gardens, the Tower Circus and the Pleasure Beach, will all play host to a series of themed weekends from July 2007 to October 2008.

Over the next eighteen months, a particular aspect of performance history will be selected and will be repackaged in performances by contemporary artists from the worlds of new circus, variety and theatre. The renowned performance agency the Whoopee Agency will be programming the shows and also holding cabaret nights in association with particular themes.

Admission All Classes presents our tribute to the shows that used to be major part of seaside entertainments, the end of the pier entertainments on Blackpool’s historic Grade II listed North Pier. 

The North Pier, designed by Eugenius Birch itself was first opened in 1863 and acts became a prominent part of the attractions both inside the theatre and the outside what is now known as the sun lounge. One of the most popular acts that performed on the piers was of course the pierrot troupes. Although not commonly associated with the North Pier, they did perform summer shows on the South and Central Piers. Alongside the concert party performers, the pierrot troupe were part of the rich tapestry of seaside entertainers.

 This Spring Bank holiday weekend will be a unique opportunity to once again applaud as the Pierroters and other walkabout acts performed by Sheffield and Blackpool students take you down memory way in a modern contemporary fashion but fun for all the family.

The Pierrotters

The Pierrotters - Britain's last-remaining professional seaside pierrot troupe. Now in their 25th Summer season!
Totally unique, and utterly mobile, since 1983 The Pierrotters have provided riotous family entertainment to audiences up and down Britain's balmy coast.

They will be bringing their unique mixture of a capella songs, sweet ballads, musical hall routines and rock'n'roll to this year's fun and sun seekers. A trip back to the heydays of the seaside in truly contemporary style!

Fully clad in white satin and black pom-poms, The Pierrotters will tantalise you to titters and tease you to tears as you lie in your deckchairs and drink tea or sup beers.

 For further information go to www.admissionallclasses.com