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- Blackburn Comes To Blackburn
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Company Registration 1411764
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May 2012
STRINGERS LAST STAND - Blackburn Drama Club
For their last play of the current season Blackburn Drama Club bring a very funny play to the stage of The Empire. Written by Alfred Bradley and Stan Barstow ("A Kind Of Loving"), "Stringer's Last Stand" tells the comic story of what happens when the domineering father of a Northern family is discovered to be having an affair. When his daughters find out they exact their revenge with hilarious consequences. Directed by Club Favourite Dorothy Perkins, this is a little gem of a play you can not afford to miss.
pre-show supper is available at “The Clog And Billycock” for this show.
Tickets: £9
May Monday Club
Have you signed up as a Monday Club Member yet? If not why not?
As a Member you will belong to a privileged Club with prioirty booking and discounts on admission. For only £5 you will enjoy a full 12 months top entertainment in the wonderful surroundng of Thwaites Empire Theatre. Each month we offer you something fresh and exciting. It is a great way to meet new friends and relive the memoires that accompany the music and comedy you love.
This month we are privileged to present
DES DAY - Great Comedian! Loved by all who see him.
TOPAZ - Lovely Female Singing Duo.
NORMAN REEVE - Guitar/Vocalist
Plus...MICHAEL (The world's foremost interpreter of "Sweet Caroline") BERRY - as your very own Host and Compere.
And at the Keyboards, playing just for you, the ever popular.... Mr. COLIN HILTON
Tickets: £3.50 (Members £2.50)
RORY BREMNER & FRIENDS
Over the last two decades, Rory Bremner has appeared in many of the top TV comedy shows, Spitting Image and Whose Line is it Anyway, Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, and QI.
Tickets: £16
THE UPBEAT BEATLES
"Yeh, Yeh Yeh" The UPBEAT BEATLES are the nearest you will ever get to the real thing! Since 1997 they have been the best in the business at recreating the raw energy and excitlement of the original Fab Four. No gimmics, no backing tracks just fanastic powerhouse vocals and close harmonies pumped out with a drrving back beat to give you an evening you will never forget.
The Beatles were the band that shook the world let the Upbeat Beatles shake your night!
Tickets: £15 & £13 now on sale.
COOL BRITTANIA - CANCELLED
CANCELLED. PLEASE CONTACT THE THEATRE FOR REFUNDS
Tickets: £16
CHARITY VARIETY SHOWTIME in aid of East Lancs Hospice
A wonderful evening of exceptional talent! This is the sixth year running compere Des Day has presented his marvellous showcase in aid of a very worthy cause. The theatre will be decorated with chandeliers and festive finery to get you in the mood for Her Majesty's Jubilee. The all star line up includes Julie A Scott, star of stage and TV, Brian Sefton, the outstanding magician plus local personality and vocalist Michael Berry. This is a show you must not miss.
Click here to go to the East Lancashire Hospice website
Tickets: £9
June 2012
THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION SHOW
Tickets: £9
THE BEST OF BRASS - Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band
We are delighted to welcome back Blackburn with Darwen Band for their second in a successful series of brass band concerts. The band, along with their conductor Nick Sheppard, are currently preparing a varied programme packed with popular pieces which you are guaranteed to enjoy. From classical jazz, film to chart music and several soloists as well, the band will definitely be offering "The Best Of Brass". Regarded as one of the most entertaining brass bands in the country, B and D will give you a great night out at our wonderful little theatre. A fantastic audience enjoyed the first concert, why not join them and become a B and D fan? If you have not seen this fine band in concert before then come along. You won't be disappointed!
Tickets: £8 Available now.
AN AUDIENCE WITH JACK THE RIPPER
Thwaites Empire Theatre is proud to present...
"An Audience With Jack The Ripper"
Yes, "Whitechapel" comes to the streets of Blackburn!
Since 2002, retired Murder Squad Chief Superintendent Trevor Marriott has been investigating the infamous Whitechapel Murders of 1888.
The identity of the killer known as "Jack The Ripper" has remained a mystery for over 100 years. Now, joining evidence of the 19th century and technology of the 21st century, Trevor has uncovered information from hitherto secret police files pointing to new suspects. These challenge current understanding of the famous case casting major doubt on cherished but now outdated theories.
This is a great opportunity for the audience of Thwaites Theatre to get the full inside low down on the case of "Jack The Ripper" This is a very diverse show for the Theatre to be staging.
After 124 years will the identity of the real Jack The Ripper finally be revealed?
"This is a rare chance to get the real facts about one of the world's most baffling criminal enigmas" - Grace Davies
*WARNING*
Original crime scene and post-mortem pictures of a graphic nature will be shown which some people may find disturbing.
Written by Grace Davies
Tickets: £12
June Monday Club
Presenting
THE 40's SHOW with
ROY CHAPEL and BETZEE
MICHAEL BERRY & COLIN HILTON.
Tickets: £3.50 (Members £2.50)
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare
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PAGE2STAGE is proud to present...
"A Midsummer Nights Dream" by William Shakespeare.
Take some troublesome fairies, four runaway lovers, and a man with the head of a donkey and what do you get?
A Midsummer Night's Dream. .. still one of Shakespeare's most performed,most taught, most accessible plays.. and a whole lot of chaos of course.
PAGE2STAGE have an outstanding reptuation in providing engaging, entertaining professional theatre in wonderful settings.. as Shakespeare intended.
Special ticket prices for school groups - £5 plus vat and one free adult per ten students. N.B. All schools booking 120 or more tickets are entitled to recieve free Shakespeare workshops lead by the actors themselves.
"Accessible to a modern audience thanks to the company's lively sense of humour"
Tickets: £8 for daytime productions with students up to age 16 £5 (£10 for the evening production)
NORTHERN SOUL NIGHT
EDWIN STARR’S BAND THE TEAM
With Lead Vocalist ANGELO STARR + Special Guest Northern Soul legend LORRAINE SILVER
Performing Soul & Motown hits including
AGENT 00 SOUL * LOST SUMMER LOVE * 25 MILES
THE HAPPY FACES * STOP HER ON SIGHT * I’LL KEEP HOLDING ON * TIME * LANDSLIDE * WAR * GOODBYE NOTHING TO SAY * HEADLINE NEWS * I’LL DO ANYTHING * EYE TO EYE CONTACT
Summer is certainly not over and we have not yet parted because we welcome the late great EDWIN STARR’S brother ANGELO STARR is the original musical director of THE TEAM. He has now taken over lead vocals performing all the fantastic Edwin Starr classics, plus dynamic performances of some great Northern Soul covers. EDWIN STARR’S original 8 piece band THE TEAM who backed Edwin on all his shows are still intact, with sax, keyboard, lead guitar, bass guitar, drums, percussion & female backing vocalist.They have a new CD out called “Keeping the Faith ”The first track is titled “Bless My Northern Soul” www.theteam-online.co.uk
‘Northern Soul legend’ LORRAINE SILVER recorded “LOST SUMMER LOVE” when she was 13 years old in 1965. It became iconic at the legendary Wigan Casino in the 70’s without her knowledge. It is still a massive record on the Northern Soul & Scooter scene and is featured on numerous compilations. Find out more of her at www.lorrainesilver.com
Tickets: £20
DANZWIZE
A wonderful showcase spectacular to buy a wheelchair for 8 year old Enola Halleron-Clarke who has a very rare disorder, Mucopolysaccaride Disease.
Dancers from 4 to 21 will display a variety of techniques to perform classical ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and musical theatre ending with an extract from the West End smash musical "Wicked".
Please support this event to raise funds for this excellent cause.
Tickets are now on sale
Tickets: £8-50 & /£7-50 (Seniors and under 12's) Stalls. Balcony seating £8. 11 tickets for every 10 booked
July 2012
THE 39th NDFA BRITISH ALL WINNERS DRAMA FESTIVAL
39th
BRITISH ALL WINNERS FESTIVAL
From Sunday 1st to Saturday 7th July 2012
Adjudicator: Russell Whiteley (GODA)
Drama Groups which have won Full Length or One Act Member Festivals between 14th June 2011 and 16th June 2012 are eligible for invitation to take part in the 2012 NDFA British All Winners Festival (BAWF).
Drama Groups which have won the Shakespeare-themed category in their local Festival in the period July 2011 - June 2012 with a Shakespeare-themed play, are eligible for consideration for the Open Stages special category.
For an update on the RSC's Open Stages project, please go to RSC Open Stages where you will find news, a timeline of events and future steps.
Tickets: £9/8. "SEASON" tickets for all 7 days only £45.
August 2012
WEST END WORKSHOP WEEK BASED ON "ANNIE" - For students aged 7 to 18. Presented by POLKA DOT PANTOMIMES
Polka Dot Pantomimes (as seen on BBC2'S Dragon's Den) join with Thwaites Empire Theatre to bring you "West End Workshops". Join professional performers direct from London's West End and learn new skills in acting singing and dancing as you work towards an end of week Showcase performance based on the smash hit musical "ANNIE." This is an amazing opportunity for students aged 7-18 to make new friends, build confidence and have lots of fun in Blackburn's best loved theatre. The cost is just £75 per child for the whole week which includes 2 free tickets to the end of week showcase.
Times are Monday 6th August to Friday 10th August 9:30-4:30 daily with a Friday Showcase performance for friends and family at 6:30pm.
For full details and an application form ring 01254 685-500. Places are strictly limted.
There is a second workshop week based around "Wicked" commencing 20th August.
Tickets: £75 for the full week inclusive of 2 free tickets for the Friday early evening Showcase.
FUNKY FUSION 2012 PRESENTED BY THE BERNESE SCHOOL OF THEATRE DANCE AND DRAMA
This is a great opportunity to learn all about how to put on a musical. You will receive instrucion in dance and drama based around the wonderful smash hit THE WIZARD OF OZ. The week will be packed full of fun.
A Showcase performance for friends and family will be staged on the Friday afternoon.
Tickets: £85 for the full week including tickets for the Showcase.
AUGUST MONDAY CLUB VARIETY SHOW
Jack Bennett from Blackpool - 60's Tribute
Carole Crowther - superb vocalist from 'apton.
Tickets: £3.50 (Members £2.50)
WEST END WORKSHOP WEEK BASED ON "WICKED" - for students aged 7-18. Presented by POLKA DOT PANTOMIMES
Polka Dot Pantomimes (as seen on BBC2'S Dragon's Den) join with Thwaites Empire Theatre to bring you "West End Workshops". Join professional performers direct from London's West End and learn new skills in acting singing and dancing as you work towards an end of week performance based on the smash hit musical "WICKED." This is an amazing opportunity for students aged 7-18 to make new friends, build confidence and have lots of fun in Blackburn's best loved theatre. The cost is just £75 per child for the whole week which includes 2 free tickets to the end of week showcase.
Times are Monday 20th August to Friday 24th August 9:30-4:30 daily with a Friday Showcase performance for friends and family at 6:30pm.
For full details and an application form ring 01254 685-500. Places are strictly limted.
There is a previous workshop week based around "Annie"" commencing 6th August.
Tickets: £75 for the full week inclusive of 2 free tickets for the Friday early evening Showcase.
September 2012
ROY ORBISON and FRIENDS with BARRY STEELE
Tickets: £18
LET'S HANG ON
Thwaites Empire Theatre is proud to present...
LET'S HANG ON (The music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons)
The World's number one tribute to Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons.
Discover how four New Jersey boys from the wrong side of the tracks invented their own sound, wrote their own songs and became one of the biggest pop sensations of all time. The story...the music...the sound.... Let's Hang On gives you it all in this remarkable live production, so book your tickets now and find out why audiences are left saying.. "Oh what a night!"
"What a fantastic opportunity to relive the music of the 20th century in your local theatre! An outstanding group with oustanding hits, joined together in one tremendous show!" (Grace Davies)
Don't miss your chance to see one of the most popular and electrifying shows to hit the stage...
Written by Grace Davies
Tickets: £16
AROUND THE WORLD - Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band
Tickets: £8 Available soon
BUZZ HAWKINS presents THE BRADSHAWS in "Just Horsing About"
Unbutton your cardigans for a rib tickling night out with Buzz Hawkins, singer, songwriter,story teller, all round funny man, and of course award winning writer, producer and voices of the wickedly funny "The Bradshaws".
This unique and healthy, (laughter is good for you) experience with Buzz Hawkins could cause face-ache, wheezing, loss of breath, loss of dentures sore ribs and temporary incontinence due to the unavoidable amount of laughing you have to do.
Beware and be ready for a night out you will never forget!
Tickets: £14 & £12 Concessions
A CELEBRATION OF NEIL DIAMOND
Neil Diamond's career spans 5 decades. He is third only to Barbra Streisand and Elton John for numbers of entries on the Billboard Hot 100. He has had 8 number 1 singles including "Cracklin' Rosie", "Songs Sung Blue" and "Love On The Rocks".
He is without a doubt one of the most influential and significant artistes ever. Tonight's concert is a celebration of the great man. It will include all the hits for you to sing along to, for after all, eveybody knows one!
On sale soon.
Tickets: All tickets £16-50
October 2012
SWEET SOUL BLUES BROTHERS
Come along and witness a memorable night of music by one of the UK's hardest working party bands.
Tonight's show brings you the very best material from the original Blues Brothers movies, plus other classic blues, funk and souls tunes, capturing the sound and energy of the originals. Everybody bring your trilby hats and Ray Ban Wayfarers to this night of entertainmnet featuring some of the country's most talented musicians.
Tickets: £16 Not available yet
CIRCUS HILARIOUS
Tickets:
November 2012
JAMES BYRNE
Tickets: £15
BLACKBURN AND DARWEN BRASS BAND
Tickets: £8 Not yet available