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- 'Dancing on Ice' star gets her skates on for theatre
- DR WHO'D WANT THIS!
- EMPIRE100 Raise the Roof appeal Online Auction
- Harriet heads up Happy Birthday Year for the Empire
- "Shearer or Me!" NODA Award
Hot Tickets
- THE FAIREY BAND present THE VERY BEST OF BRASS
- CENTENARY GALA DINNER in aid of the EMPIRE 100 Raise The Roof Appeal
- OUTSIDE EDGE - Blackburn Drama Club
Months
Information
Charity Number 508465
Company Registration 1411764
2010 Project Web Site
What's On - Box Office 01254 685 500
February 2010
SIMON ENTWISTLE - MONDAY CLUB
The Ribble Valley has mystical legends and Simon Entwistle, dressed in his authentic Victorian costume will be delighted to recount some of his favourites complete with sound effects.
Simon is renowned for his flair for storytelling. He has the ability to make local history come to life, with his accounts of stories from a bygone age.
Most people know a ghost story or two but Simon has over 30 under his belt that he can call on whenever the time or the surroundings are eerie enough.
Born in Colne in 1955, Simon has been telling ghost stories since 1996 after taking an interest in local tourism.
Tickets: £5 & £2.50 Members
THE MUSIC OF THE KNIGHT - Old Time Music Hall
A & P PRODUCTIONS PRESENT
THE MUSIC OF THE KNIGHT.
An Old Time Music Hall with a chance for the audience to participate in Period costume.
Tickets: £10
THE FAIREY BAND present THE VERY BEST OF BRASS
The world famous Fairey Band bring The very best of Brass to Blackburn.
14 times British Open Champions and 9 times National Champions the band bring some classic brass band and poplar favourites for what promises to be a great night out.
Tickets: £11 & £10
RUDDIGORE presented by BLACKBURN GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SOCIETY
MONDAY NIGHT CANCELLED DUE TO THE BLACKBURN ROVERS V BOLTON WANDERERS MATCH.
RUDDIGORE OR THE WITCH'S CURSE
In the coastal village of Rederring all is not well. The professional bridesmaids are out of work, with nary a wedding in sight. Nearby Castle Ruddigore labors under a centuries old curse.
In the village lives a fair maiden, Rose Maybud, who pines for the love of a local farmer, Robin Oakapple.
In the castle, the current Baronet, Sir Despard Murgatroyd, longs to be rid of the curse. Robin has a faithful servant, Old Adam Goodheart, and together they share a secret. Into town returns a sailor, Richard Dauntless, the best friend of Robin, who casts his eyes upon Rose. Robin also longs for Rose.
But as Old Adam knows, Robin isn't Robin, but the rightful Baronet of Ruddigore, Sir Ruthven Murgatroyd! Fear of the curse had driven him from his duty and left his younger brother, Sir Despard, who thinks Ruthven dead, to wallow in the family misery.
In doing so, Despard had rejected the woman he loved and driven her insane: Mad Margaret now roams the town and casts an eye to the castle and what might have been. Meantime, Dame Hanna, a bitter yet hopeful spinster who is Rose's aunt, knowingly watches all, she the victim of the curse and the unrequited love of Robin's late uncle Sir Roderic Murgatroyd.
But just when dark seems darkest, after the ghosts of bygone Baronets come to life, the curse is lifted, evil turns good, love conquers all, and in true Gilbert & Sullivan fashion, happiness reigns supreme!
Tickets: £10 Concessions £9 Children £5 Available Jan 11th 2010
March 2010
THE SOUNDS OF THE MUSICALS - STAR CAST
Tickets: £8
CENTENARY GALA DINNER in aid of the EMPIRE 100 Raise The Roof Appeal
Saturday 6 March 2010 is a date for your diary, when we're holding a Black Tie and Posh Frocks Centenary Gala Dinner at Ewood Park.
After a Cranberry Bucks Fizz reception and sumptuous three course dinner there will be an auction of our reserved ‘gold cabinet gifts', by Michael Berry.
We'll be announcing the total sum raised in this Centenary Gifts Auction and dancing the night away until 1am.
Please spread the word and help us secure the future of the Empire Theatre for another 100 years as we use this very special anniversary to attempt to raise £100,000 to replace the roof of our complex.
Tickets: £30 drinks reception, 3 Course Dinner & Disco
OUTSIDE EDGE - Blackburn Drama Club
Love or hate cricket it doesn't matter because it's all about the characters:
Roger desperately tries to assemble a team to play against BR Yeading East.
Bob dodges his ex and his wife Ginnie, who's busy soaking up the sun and the Valium.
Alex and his 'hysterical' nymphet girlfriend, Sharon.
Dennis the ageing Casanova.
Maggie 'mothers' her tiny but lethal Kevin and last but by no means least, Roger's wife Miriam, the long-suffering champion tea-maker ... that is, until she uncovers his little 'secret'...
BY RICHARD HARRIS
DIRECTED BY JENNY HODKINSON
Tickets: £8
THE REX ROMAN PINK FLOYD SHOW
The Rex Roman Pink Floyd Show
Fun for all the family, this fast-paced nostalgic musical play is a real gem. Revisit the 70s and take a trip down memory lane to discover the highly amusing, poignantly moving, life story of British actor & air guitar hero Rex Roman.
Complimented by stunning visuals and a fantastic live band, playing Floyd classics such as Comfortably Numb & Money, this Edinburgh Festival Highlight offers a great night's entertainment.
An engaging blend of live music, comedy and theatre there is absolutely no other show like this.
Show info : http://www.rexroman.com/
Tickets: £12.50
MITCHELL & KENYON CINEMA CELEBRATION
Supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in aid of the "Empire100 Raise the Roof Appeal"
For around 70 years 800 rolls of early nitrate film sat in sealed barrels in the basement of a shop in Blackburn. Now miraculously rediscovered and restored the Mitchell & Kenyon Collection is an amazing visual record of everyday life in Britain at the beginning of the 20th Century.
These showings will be accompanied by live narration by Vanessa Toulmin, Research Director of the National Fairground Archive at Sheffield University and accompanied by silent film pianist, Stephen Horne.
10am Schools Performance - free - must be booked in advance.
2pm Schools Performance - free - must be booked in advance.
Monday Cub Members £2.50
(Limited availability - book early !)
7:30pm Public Performance
CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE FOR THE 7:30pm PERFORMANCE
Tickets: 2pm Monday Club £2.50 7:30pm Stalls £7 Balcony £6
BIG BIG VARIETY SHOW - FREEMASONS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER
Tickets: £12 AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13th
JUST........DANCE - SUTCLIFFE SCHOOL OF DANCE
A variety of dance styles performed by local children approx 80/90 children ranging from 6 - early adults. There is a Michael Jackson tribute section, music from the Wizard of Oz, A Bollywood section and lots more and will lead into a finale of Irish Dance.
A spectacular event not to be missed!
Tickets: £8 Child £5
AN EVENING OF MUSICAL THEATRE presented by Blackburn & Darwen Arts Service
Tickets: £4 Concessions £3 Unallocated seats.
THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS
THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS return with their unique blend of popular folk music, humour and audience participation.
The UK's premier Comedy/Folk group, The Houghton Weavers' have been at the forefront of the country's music scene for over three decades with a hectic concert schedule.
Since cutting their teeth in folk clubs in their native North West, they have enjoyed non-stop success, with a great following at their concerts, and a large fan club with members worldwide.
They have recorded twenty-five albums and can even boast a Number 1 hit in Tasmania with their perennial favourite "The Blackpool Belle", a song that also reached Number 3 in New Zealand.
The Houghton Weavers guarantee a wonderful evening of entertainment suitable for all the family.
Their experience in the business together with their style and professionalism ensures that, as their motto says, they will always `Keep Folk Smiling`
Tickets: £10 Concessions £8
JUNIOR SHOWTIME presented by Alison Power
Tickets: £9 & £5
SILVER STARS
STARRING
BRIAN PINDER (Music of the Shadows)
ANDREW LITTLE (George Formby)
MADDY LANE (Vocalist)
ANNETTE (Vocalist)
Tickets: £2.50
April 2010
WACKY WONDERLAND ADVENTURE - 2pm
The Wolfman is back for another fun filled adventure and he needs your help to save the world!
But this time it's a different world that needs saving as Wolfie is transported to the Wacky World of Wonderland where he will have to defeat the White Rabbit who wants to take control and rule the land! Will Wolfie be able to stop him in time?
Only if he's got you to help him!
Tickets: £4.50
WE'LL MEET AGAIN - TONIGHT
BILLY BEDLAM - Instrumentalist
WILL BARROW - Comedian
ROY CHAPPELL - Just like BING!
BETZEE - Forces Forever songs
THE GREAT HARWOOD DANCERS (Glamour in numbers)
COLIN HILTON - Musical Director
MICHAEL BERRY - Singer & Compere (and not much else!)
Tickets: £10
COLIN HILTON & FRIENDS - MONDAY CLUB
SAPHIRE - SINGING DUO
LEE CONSTANTINE - SINGER
COLIN HILTON - Musical Director
MICHAEL BERRY - Compere & Singer
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
JOANNE GREGORY - PSYCHIC
Widely recognized as an extremely gifted psychic medium, Joanne Gregory’s reputation for accuracy and honesty has filled venues across the country.
Now, on her first visit to the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn, audiences in the North West will have a chance to see Joanne demonstrate her remarkable gift, offering messages from loved ones on the other side.
Joanne’s growing international acclaim has brought her many celebrity clients from Hollywood, TV, film and the music industry and she has been seen a number of times as a guest medium on Living TV’s popular series, Most Haunted.
Later this year will see the publication her first book.
Join Joanne, on her first visit to the Thwaites Empire Theatre for what promises to be a compelling and memorable evening as she demonstrates her medium-ship, narrowing the divide between here and the other side.
(Also appearing on Wednesday 8th September 2010)
Tickets: £12
Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band
Tickets:
A MULTICULTURAL EVENING - THE INDIA LEAGUE
Tickets: TBA
ROSSENDALE AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY
Tickets: Not Available yet
May 2010
SWEET CHARITY - Blackburn Musical Theatre Company
Tickets:
THE WINSLOW BOY
WRITTEN BY TERENCE RATTIGAN
DIRECTED BY JEAN JONES
Tickets: £8 not available yet
JAMES COCKERILL - MONDAY CLUB
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
THE KNICKER LADY
Rosemary Hawthorne is
The Knicker Lady
AN HILARIOUS ROMP THROUGH THE HISTORY OF THE HUMBLE KNICKER
The hit show that romps through the history of the humble knicker with a tempo and hilarity that leaves audiences, both male and female, spellbound and dying for more ... there isn't a brief left unturned.
"Has a style and timing of pure comic genius" Angus Wolfe Murray, Theatre Critic
Directed by: Phoebe Hawthorne & Rachel Longstaff
Original Music & Sound Design: Robin Stout
For more information visit www.theknickerlady.co.uk
Tickets: £10 Buy 10 get one free.
June 2010
DENISE NOLAN - STARS IN THE MAGIC OF JUDY GARLAND
Tickets: £14 & £12 Not availabe yet
July 2010
BLACKBURN & DARWEN BRASS BAND - JULY
Tickets:
PETE RILEY - MONDAY CLUB
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
September 2010
Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band
Tickets:
October 2010
Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band - October
Tickets:
FREDDIE STARR
Tickets: £21 Concessions £20
December 2010
MOTHER GOOSE
CENTENARY PANTOMIME - MOTHER GOOSE
GROUP BOOKINGS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR MOTHER GOOSE.
PRESENTED BY PENDLE PRODUCTIONS
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY TIM LINCE
Contact Group Bookings Coordinator Harriet Roberts 07850 959898
email: harriet.roberts@thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk
Tickets: