Blackpool centre stage for museum

Blackpool's Grand is the National Theatre of Variety

A new National Theatre Museum could be built in Blackpool.

Council officials and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) are discussing moving the national theatrical collections to the resort.

The V&A recently announced its current Theatre Museum in London's Covent Garden will close in January.

Mark Jones, V&A director, said that Blackpool has a "strong theatrical and entertainment tradition and attracts millions of visitors a year".

A feasibility study is under way by Blackpool Council and the V&A over the plans.

The new building, if it goes ahead, would also reflect Blackpool theatre history with archive material from the Pleasure Beach, the Tower Circus and the Grand Theatre - Equity's National Theatre of Variety.

Several Blackpool locations are being considered

The V&A was approached by Blackpool Council earlier this year following a consultation paper into the future of the V&A's current theatre museum.

Councillor David Owen, cabinet member for culture and Leisure at Blackpool Council said the planned partnership was an "irresistible match".

"Blackpool - the UK's biggest seaside resort, ambitious for recognition as a World Heritage site, and home to the most active theatre land outside London - joined with the V&A's world class performance collections."

The V&A's collections include toys, musical instruments, costumes, scripts, puppets, posters, photographs and programmes.

Mr Jones said: "The V&A is committed to showing the theatrical collections to as wide an audience as possible.

"Blackpool has a strong theatrical and entertainment tradition, and attracts millions of visitors a year.

"A new museum in Blackpool could provide a wonderful platform to tell the story of British theatre."

Several locations in the town are being considered as part of the study.