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With a fabulous line up this show is a wonderful chance to experience the Empire at its liveliest. With all proceeds going to charity this promises to be one of the most memorable events so far this year.

For your delight and delectation performing are:

The Zoe Taylor Dance Academy

Bobby Kay - The hilarious L'pool comic

Billy Bedlam - The unique speciality star

Pamela James - A golden voice and a favourite song

Roy Chappell - A regular draw at The Empire

All under the expert direction of Maestro Colin Hilton and, direct from The Jolly Sailor cabaret bar in The Canary Islands and brought to you at emormous expense, your host Mr. Michael Berry.

He's A Rebel

Andy Kershaw truly has no off switch. Already he’s lived ten lives to everyone else’s one. As a teenager, he was promoting major rock gigs. He was Billy Bragg’s driver and roadie one day and presenting Whistle Test and Live Aid the next.

John Peel

Andy is among the UK’s most-decorated broadcasters, working for Radio 4 and, for fifteen years, as a Radio 1 DJ, where he shared an office with John Peel and legendary producer John Walters. It was Andy’s enthusiasms that made him the central figure in the popularisation of world music. More recently a presenter on Radio 3, he has also worked for the Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen.

Andy Kershaw was born in Rochdale in 1959 and was liberated by Bob Dylan. Barely out of his teens, and looking about eleven, he presented Whistle Test and Live Aid for the BBC. For most of the past twenty-five years he has had a weekly radio show pioneering extraordinary music from all over the world.

Whether it applies to foreign adventures, romances, motorcycles, nervous breakdowns or relationships with a piece of music, Andy has always lived by his most reliable maxim:

"If you’re going to have one, have a BIG ONE"

STEPHN FRY LIKES ANDY KERSHAW.

(This is what he has to say about Andy and his recently published autobiography, "No Off Switch")

"Andy Kershaw has led an extraordinary life. His unrivalled role in bringing World Music to the ears of the West is just part of the story of this man whose zest for life, music, people, experience and travel made him the finest British broadcaster bar none. That his life had had its ups and downs is to say that the Alps have snowy peaks, but throughout this, dizzingly paced and often wildly hilarious book, he brings alive his matchless career and the cultural life of a Britain that seems to be vanishing; forget Media Studies and a life of student debt: read "NO OFF SWITCH" and learn what it is to be a real broadcast journalist, a real acheiver. A real someone." Stephen Fry

***Do not forget a pre-show suppers are available from 4:30 for just £11-50 at “The Clog And Billycock” for this show. See the top of this events listing for full details.***

Blackburn Drama Club contininue their outstanding season with a very funny sex comedy. From the pens of John Chapman and Dave Freeman this amoral farce is designed for people who like their comedy broad and uncomplicated. Harriet is "entertaining" a married man named Gordon who dutifully leaves her household money after complaining about the cost of maintaining a wife, a family and a mistress. Once Gordon leaves the sheets are changed and enter Alec! He too complains about the expense of supporting his mistress as well as his wife. Harriet points out that the toaster and many other household items need replacing. Both Alec and Gordon think they are the only man in Harriet's life.

When Ann, Harriet's close friend, turns up it throws Harriet's double life into dissray.

"Key For Two" is a slick fast moving farce that leaves little to the imagination!!

Starring

Colin Hilton - Musical Director

Michael Berry - Host and Compere

Pete Lindup- Instrumentalist

Jim Fitzgerald - Tenor

J Pasquelle - Doris Day Tribute artist

Will Barrow - Comedian

Miranda Myles - Vocalist

Bernese School of Theatre Dance

Starring

Malcolm Povah - The Banjo Man

Lisa Schilze - Female Vocalist

Ricky Lee - Male Vocalist - Blackburn's Matt Munro

Michael Berry - Compere and Host

Colin Hilton - Musical Director

“Of Mice And Men” by John Steinbeck is one of the best loved novels of all time. Shortly after its massive success as a book Steinbeck adapted it for the stage. The story of George and Lennie and their dreams of a better life is a timeless classic. DJ Theatre Productions has assembled an exceptional cast. The production is in the capable hands of local award- winning director Paul Mason.

One warm evening in 1937 California two men walk down from the highway to a pool by the Salinas River. They reflect on their escape from the last town they were in and their new job at a nearby ranch. So begins the story set over three days and ending tragically. Never sentimental, Steinbeck paints a vivid picture of men caught up in the depression and their hopes of finding a way out of their loneliness and desperation. “Of Mice And Men” was named as one of the most significant texts of the twentieth century. It has a power and a beauty that never fails to move audiences.

“Someday we’re gonna get the jack together and we’re gonna have a little house and a couple of acres an ‘ a cow and some pigs and live off the fatta the land.”

Tickets are on sale now.

For details of school or group booking call 07851910802 or 07772192658.

*** Do not forget to book your pre-show supper from 4:30 at “The Clog And Billycock” for the special price of just £11.50 See the top of this listings page for full details ***