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Charity Number 508465

Company Registration 1411764

 

2010 Project Web Site

Heritage Lottery Fund

www.empirearchive.net

Dance and Drama Groups for Children

 

Bernese School of Theatre Dance and Drama

 

Blackburn Youth Theatre

 

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What's On - Box Office 01254 685 500

February 2010

SIMON ENTWISTLE - MONDAY CLUB

Monday 8 February 2010 2pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Friday 12 February 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £10

THE FAIREY BAND present THE VERY BEST OF BRASS

Saturday 13 February 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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.

 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £11 & £10

RUDDIGORE presented by BLACKBURN GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SOCIETY

Tuesday 23 February 2010 – Saturday 27 February 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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!

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE 

 

Tickets: £10 Concessions £9 Children £5 Available Jan 11th 2010

March 2010

CENTENARY GALA DINNER in aid of the EMPIRE 100 Raise The Roof Appeal

Saturday 6 March 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Wednesday 10 March 2010 – Saturday 13 March 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £8

THE REX ROMAN PINK FLOYD SHOW

Sunday 14 March 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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/ 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £12.50

MITCHELL & KENYON CINEMA CELEBRATION

Wednesday 17 March 2010 10am, 2pm and 7:30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

JUST........DANCE - SUTCLIFFE SCHOOL OF DANCE

Saturday 20 March 2010 – Sunday 21 March 2010 Saturday 7:30pm Sunday 2pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Monday 22 March 2010 7pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

AN EVENING OF MUSICAL THEATRE presented by Blackburn & Darwen Arts Service

Tickets: £4 Concessions £3 Unallocated seats.

THE HOUGHTON WEAVERS

Saturday 27 March 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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`

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £10 Concessions £8

SILVER STARS

Monday 29 March 2010 2pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Thursday 8 April 2010 2pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Sunday 11 April 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Monday 12 April 2010 2pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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

Wednesday 14 April 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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) 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK ONLINE

Tickets: £12

May 2010

THE WINSLOW BOY

Wednesday 12 May 2010 – Saturday 15 May 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

THE WINSLOW BOY

WRITTEN BY TERENCE RATTIGAN

DIRECTED BY JEAN JONES

Tickets: £8 not available yet

THE KNICKER LADY

Thursday 20 May 2010 7.30pm

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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.

December 2010

MOTHER GOOSE

Wednesday 1 December 2010 – Sunday 02 January 2011 Various times

Booking Office is fully staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday from 10am to 3.00pm and Saturday 10am to 12:30pm (outside these hours service may be available but not always guaranteed) You can also book online.

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: