In a world in thrall to digital hi-tech, never underestimate the pulling power of a glowing Dalek, lighting up a magical night of make-believe. They drive through arcades of electric light, under jewelled arches and chandeliers, past a Dr Who display, past Ancient Egypt and Pirate Pranks, past Ali Baba and the Haunted House. Theatre d’Amour expects you to stand and watch, but the Blackpool tradition is to keep moving – strolling, ideally with a bag of chips, or driving the six-mile route.īehind Ryan, a nose-to-tail cortege of cars is making its steady way along the prom, past the Romany palmists and King Kong’s Burger Bar, past the tattoo parlours and hotels advertising “boudoir theme rooms”. It assumes a more sophisticated response than the traditionally more homely displays: the giant pouting strawberries slung from the lampposts from the Fifties to the Seventies, Humpty Dumpty falling off his wall, Mickey Mouse on the moon. Llewelyn-Bowen’s theatre is ironic and slightly camp. But what to make of Kermit the Frog, the prime minister of Westphalia, or Red Rum? This year, the switch will be thrown by a trio of Team GB Olympic medal winners: the gymnast Beth Tweddle, long jumper Greg Rutherford and bantamweight boxer Luke Campbell. The roll of honour includes predictable names – Gracie Fields, George Formby, Stanley Matthews, Danny La Rue, Les Dawson, the cast of Dad’s Army. Theatre d’Amour, designed by Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, is a wry homage to some of the “personalities” who have switched on the lights over the years, watched by crowds of up to 50,000. The Illuminations are Blackpool's end of summer trump card
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