Blackpool’s Opera House Theatre will host the 81st Royal Variety Performance on Monday 7th December 2009. The show was last hosted in Blackpool in 1955. Although Blackpool illuminations will officially end in November, the local council have agreed to display the famous illuminations along the route of the royal party on the night of the variety show which is presented annually in aid of the Entertainment Artistes’ Benevolent Fund.

Blackpool is proud to be hosting this year’s Royal Variety Performance in the presence of The Queen who last visited the resort in 1994 to attend the Tower’s centenary celebrations. Winners of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Diversity, will be performing in front of The Queen at the star studded performance which looks set to be one of the best ever. The show will be screened on TV on Sunday 13th December.

The Royal Variety show will undoubtedly bring a great deal of publicity for Blackpool which is a popular world-famous holiday resort. The resort has a large number of attractions such as the Tower with its Ballroom which will soon to be host to the Strictly Come Dancing show. There are also many other shows in Blackpool throughout the year.

The Royal Variety Performance dates back to 1912 when King George V agreed to attend a ‘Royal Command Performance’ at London’s Palace Theatre in aid of the Variety Artistes’ Benevolent Fund. The first staging was a very lavish occasion and the theatre was decorated with three million roses draped around the auditorium and over the boxes. The Royal Variety show was previously staged in Blackpool in 1955 when the monarch was also present. It was the first to be staged outside the capital. On that occasion George Formby, Arthur Askey, Jimmy Jewel & Ben Warriss, Reginald Dixon and a young Morecambe and Wise were on the bill.

If you haven’t visited Blackpool for many years, you will be impressed by the changes which have taken place in the resort in recent years. The beautiful sandy beaches are now showcased by miles of seafront steps which lead down from the promenade. Blackpool is an ever popular seaside holiday resort with three piers, numerous attractions and many events and shows staged throughout the year. The Royal Variety Performance and Strictly Come Dancing are just two of the many shows in Blackpool. The holiday season in Blackpool is extended beyond the summer by the Illuminations which are displayed throughout September and October each year. The miles of illuminations provide an amazing spectacle and attract many visitors to the resort. Blackpool has something to appeal to everyone. A visit to Blackpool is something you will always remember whether you are young or old. Blackpool is among the few seaside resorts in the UK which is still thriving. Whether you are looking for white knuckle rides and excitement or fantastic nights out at the theatre, you will not be disappointed by what Blackpool has to offer.