Category: 1994

Lytham Academy of Performing Arts

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Lytham Academy of Theatre Arts, or L.A.T.A. as it’s affectionately known, was established in 1994 and is based at 15 St Alban’s Rd, Lytham Saint Annes FY8 1UB. The academy was founded with the aim of providing young people with experience and training in all aspects of theatre production. Affiliated with the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), L.A.T.A. hosts an annual regional awards evening where accolades are presented for the best musicals, plays, and performances from the previous year. The academy has won several awards, including recognition for their productions of The Vackees, and every show since has garnered… Read more »

Dream Town – A Brief Anatomy of Blackpool

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In 1994, the BBC ran a Blackpool theme night. For some, the most interesting programme on it was this documentary where actor David Thewlis explores some of the odder parts of the town. Some of these places are gone now so it’s a bit of a time piece. We see Ripley’s Forteana museum, Louis Tussaud’s Anatomy Exhibition, The Tower Aquarium and tons more besides. Amongst many things, his video features Jayne Mansfield switching on the lights in 1959. You can read more about HERE on Blackpool Timeline.

Three Salons at the Seaside

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An update from December 2022 stated that a visitor returning to Blackpool reported not being able find Tricia’s, but could see that Vanity Box was still there with a new facade and neat as a new pin although apparently not trading – Hillary would be just over 80 at the time. Mary’s Way was also trading then although under different management. Mary herself was interviewed by a radio news programme and sounded in fine fettle then. From 1994, this slice of pure television gold focuses on the staff and customers of three Blackpool hair dressing salons. Stories of love, loss… Read more »

Silcocks Fun Palace

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Situated on Blackpool’s iconic Golden Mile, Silcock’s Fun Palace has been a staple of the town’s vibrant amusement scene since its opening in 1994. Unlike many of the other attractions along the promenade, Silcock’s Fun Palace is open all year round, making it a go-to destination regardless of the weather. Whether it’s sunny or stormy, visitors can count on a thrilling experience indoors, offering a wide array of adult gaming machines, £500 jackpots, and fun-filled ticket games for all ages. Silcock Leisure, the company behind the Fun Palace, is a remarkable 6th-generation family business that has been an integral part… Read more »

The Odeon Becomes Funny Girls

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The Odeon The current location of Funny Girls used to be Blackpool’s Odeon Cinema, which opened on the 6th of May 1939 with the film ‘Three Smart Girls Grow Up’. The Cinema was the largest of all the Oscar Deutsch built Odeon Theatres at the time and could accommodate over 3,000 people on its two levels, stalls and one circle. There was also a large cafe on the first floor, which would later be converted into a bar. Although the main entrance to the Theatre was on Dickson Road there was also an entrance to the front stalls on Springfield… Read more »

The Big One – The biggest rollercoaster in the world when built

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The Pepsi Max Big One is a famous roller coaster that opened on 28 May 1994. Originally sponsored by Pepsi Max, it was built by Arrow Dynamics and quickly gained fame for its record-breaking features. Standing 213 feet (65 meters) tall, the Pepsi Max Big One was the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world when it first opened. It had a first drop of 205 feet (62 meters) and could reach speeds of up to 74 mph (119 km/h). Its impressive height and speed, along with its traditional out-and-back layout with thrilling drops and hills, made it a… Read more »