FORGET the technicolour dreamcoat, it's Joseph and his amazing free tickets!
Children from disadvantaged backgrounds will get the chance to see theatre stars, such as Joseph star Craig Chalmers, with a new free ticket scheme.

Blackpool's Grand Theatre has already welcomed the Art's Council's scheme to give away more than 63,000 tickets to 16 to 25-year-olds over the next two years, and now it has teamed up with 12 children's organisations to offer access to tickets.

Ian Lamond, education and access officer at the Grand, said: "It's such a wonderful opportunity to allow children who have received a few setbacks in life to witness the magic of live theatre.

"In March, we joined the first stage of the Art's Council Scheme. We've now joined the partnership scheme, which means 12 children's organisations in the area can have access to 10 tickets every week."

Among the organisations benefiting are Barnados, Bay Housing, Blackpool Explorer Scouts, Blackpool Foyer, and Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Society for the Blind.

The Blackpool Boys and Girl's Club are another organisation to gain, with three members getting tickets for Joseph, starring ITV talent show Any Dream Will Do's Mr Chalmers.

The other deserving groups are Connexions, Hornby Road Young Parents' Centre, Stonham House, Street Life, Tram-shed Theatre Company, and VInvolve.

Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat runs at the Grand until August 23, with performances on Tuesdays at 7.30pm, Wednesday to Friday at 2pm and 7.30pm, Saturdays 2pm, 5pm and 8pm, and Sunday 1pm and 4pm.

Source: Blackpool Gazette