Dr Who to launch Victorian-themed Blackpool Illuminations

Published Wednesday 22 August 2007 at 17:10 by Lalayn Baluch

Victorian-inspired live entertainment features at this year’s Blackpool Illuminations, which are to be switched on by Doctor Who star David Tennant on August 31.

Acts will include performances by equestrian gymnasts the Bareback Burlesque troop, and showgirls the Whoopee Beaux Belles, who will dance beneath the world’s largest mirrorball.

The illuminations will also have a burlesque theme, with a new section called Decodance, created by celebrity designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen. It will also feature a Doctor Who lights display inspired by the TV Time Lord.

Vanessa Toulmin, curator of the series of events, said: “Blackpool Illuminations are a time-honoured tradition in themselves and a unique chapter in this town’s matchless entertainment history. It is for this reason we have chosen to dedicate the second of the ten themed events in the Admission All Classes series to them.

“Our acts add an extra dimension to the light show by introducing beautiful live entertainment beneath the twinkling illuminations, which have entertained Blackpool visitors for over a century.”

Councillor Tony Williams, cabinet member for culture and communities, added: “It is truly an incredible achievement that we are able to combine a Time Lord from the future with a series of amazing entertainment from the past to offer an incredible star-studded range of different and exhilarating experiences during the 2007 Switch On event.”