Pride Beside The Seaside

Join us for a fascinating journey through Blackpool’s bold, brilliant and often overlooked queer entertainment history!

Step behind the curtain with Emily Langridge (Curator at Showtown) as we explore the stories that defied convention and lit up the stage — from drag royalty to magical transformations.

In this 45-minute tour (plus 15 minutes for questions & discussion), you’ll uncover:

Colonel Barker – the infamous sideshow feature who shocked seaside crowds and scandalised the press.

Terri Rogers – the trailblazing magician and ventriloquist whose career soared after her public transition, becoming a star of the Magic Convention.

Drag in Blackpool – from pioneering drag artists like Vesta Tilley to the glitz and glam of Funny Girls, discover how Blackpool became a hub for LGBTQ+ expression and celebration.

Set against the backdrop of Britain’s favourite seaside resort, this tour dives into powerful themes of:

• Gender diversity in entertainment.
• Trans lives in the public eye.
• Blackpool’s legacy as a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ communities.
  

🎉 This event is part of Heritage Open Days, England’s largest festival of history and culture.
Every September, thousands of free events offer the public a chance to explore hidden stories and iconic spaces — and this is your chance to join the celebration for free.

💬 Expect stories that challenge, inspire, and celebrate the people who reshaped the stage — and society — one performance at a time.