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- REHEARSAL UPDATE
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- If These Bricks Could Talk - School productions
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Hot Tickets
- THE RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR
- AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP IN AID OF MADISON ALLAN
- A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS WITH CHRIS CONNOR & STEVE PRESTON
Months
Information
Charity Number 508465
Company Registration 1411764
2010 Project Web Site
What's On - Box Office 01254 685 500
July 2010
'A BIG NIGHT IN' - FITTER FOR WALKING AWARDS
‘ A Big Night In'
Presentation of Fitter For Walking Awards
Led Walk of People and Picture Houses Centenary Walk
Presentation by Local Author Nick Burton of stories and pictures that celebrate our walking heritage.
This event commences with a guided walk (1.3m-easy) setting off at 6.15pm from outside Thwaites Empire Theatre,Blackburn
Returning for the Theatre Presentation which commences at 7.30pm
For more details contact;
Bernard Kennedy
Regional Coordinator
Fitter for Walking (North West)
07590 048494
Tickets: This is a free event
August 2010
DANCE SHOW
Tickets: £7
WHISTLE DOWN THE WEST END
Tickets: £7
THE RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR
Fun all the way as the “Purveyors of Cool” come to town with a sensational show featuring the greatest music of the 20th Century.
This show has been successful all over the world from the USA to Turkey, is totally live, and every song is an absolute classic – Come Fly With Me, Under My Skin, Mr Bojangles, Lady Is A Tramp, Mack The Knife, and many more of your favourites. Interspersed with lots of hanky panky, their timeless soiree remains the hottest party around.
See for yourself at www.ratpack.biz
Tickets: £17
DAPA (Drama and Performing Arts Centre) Monday Club
Song, Dance and Drama variety show.
(Children welcome)
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP IN AID OF MADISON ALLAN
Tickets: £10
CENTENARY COMMAND PERFORMANCE
A fabulous night of music and comedy, celebrating 100 years of entertainment at Thwaites Empire Theatre.
Apprearing
NORMAN PRINCE
DONALD BANKS
SARAH LOUISE
JAMES LOYNES
MIRANDA MYLES
THE BERNESE SCHOOL OF THEATRE DANCE
COLIN HILTON - MUSICAL DIRECTOR
MICHAEL BERRY - COMPERE
Tickets: £10
PINOCCHIO
PINOCCHIO
T.J.Lince, writer/director of our pantomime presents a new take on the classic story - for all the family.
Tickets: £5
A TRIBUTE TO ELVIS WITH CHRIS CONNOR & STEVE PRESTON
Don't miss A Tribute to Elvis starring two of the world's finest Elvis acts - Chris Connor and Steve Preston.
As if from nowhere, Chris exploded onto the Elvis scene only last year and has already built up an endless list of awards and achievements including being voted The World's Number One Look-a-like by E.P.I.M and touring the UK with Elvis's original backing singers, The Sweet Inspirations. After his recent performances many fans now believe he could be remembered as the world's greatest ever Elvis tribute artist.
The show also stars the legendary STEVE PRESTON. In a professional career spanning 20 years Steve has also notched up an incredible list of achievements. He has toured internationally in the highly acclaimed Legen ds show and in1995 he became the only tribute artist ever chosen to appear on the Royal Variety Performance for Her Majesty the Queen. Steve also performed with members of Elvis's original band at the 2008 World's Greatest Elvis Concert at the Bolton Arena
Book your seats now for A Tribute to Elvis... You won't believe your eyes!!!
A show not to be missed!
TO BOOK ONLINE PLEASE CLICK HERE
Tickets: £11
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tickets:
NORTH WEST FILM ARCHIVE
Tickets: £4
LEWIS COSTELLO
Tickets: £5
THE DRAGON WHO LOST HIS HOME
A charming, original family tale from Pendle Productions.
Tickets:
OUT OF THE ARK PRODUCTIONS - Monday Club
Variety Show staged and produced by local young people presented by Chris Arkley.
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
MEATLOAF & CHER
Tickets: £10
September 2010
IF THESE BRICKS COULD TALK
A specially-commissioned play combining theatre, dance, and video to tell the history of Thwaites Empire Theatre and the part it has played in Blackburn life. Spanning over 100 years, with 125 speaking parts and the involvement of local community groups this ambitious production celebrates a century of great entertainment at the venue.
Written and Directed by TJ Lince of Pendle Productions.
Tickets: £5 Concessions £2.50
CENTENARY THANKSGIVING SONGS OF PRAISE
On our Centenary Anniversary this is an opportunity to give thanks for everything the venue has given to the lives of local people, the joy of friendship and community, and of the talents that we share.
An ecumenical act of Christian worship featuring Bible readings, multi-media images, solo performances and hymns accompanied by the Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band, led by the Reverend Yvonne Pearson, this event is produced by Mike Johnson.
The tickets are free (there will be a collection on the evening for the Empire 100 Raise the Roof Fund) - book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tickets: FREE
REBECCA JOY - Monday Club
Effortless entertainment with a stunning blend of classic jazz, swing and contemporary ballads.
her soulful vocal style will enchant those who hear her sing.
A 'Sultry Soloist Show'
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
JOANNE GREGORY - CLAIRVOYANT
Widely recognized as an extremelygifted psychic medium, Joanne Gregory's reputation for accuracy and honesty hasfilled venues across the country. Now, following an amazing first visit to theThwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn in April, audiences will once again have achance to see Joanne demonstrate her remarkable gift, as she seeks to provethat we all survive death by relaying messages to the audience from the spiritworld.
It is hard to find a medium today that commands the stage with such ability, as shecommunicates with loved ones across a compelling and uplifting evening, oftenfilled with humour, laughter and joy. Her increasing popularity and growinginternational acclaim has brought her many celebrity clients from Hollywood,TV, film and the music industry. Her first book, Ask and It Will Happen, is published by Cico books this September.
Join Joanne, as she returns to theThwaites Empire Theatre for what promises to be a memorable evening as shedemonstrates her medium-ship, narrowing the divide between here and other side.
Tickets: £12
WIFE BEGINS AT FORTY CANCELLED
Tickets:
BOUNCERS by John Godber
It's Friday night, it's disconight ? time for Bouncers to come alive!
In this outrageous and hilariousparody of the contemporary club scene, four Bouncers portraying over 20different characters invite us for a night out on the town. We meetgiggly girls, Lager louts on the pull, Hooray Henrys and a smoothtalking DJ, all against the tatty, glitzy glamour, flashing lights andpulsating beat of the disco floor. Bouncersis a celebration and a warning of the nightlife of modern
Britain, its excitement anddisappointments, its comedy and tragedy and its winners and losers, allportrayed with a technique and energy that will leave you breathless to keepup!
"Down in the disco is theplace to be The lights are so bright like a colour TV The music is loud and thebeer flows free it's a disco place for you and me" Godber's cult classicis back in town, bigger and badder than ever before!
Feelthe weekend come alive before your eyes. Meet the smooth talking DJ, the lager chugging ladslooking for a lay and the lipstick, lacquered girls gyrating to the pulse ofthe dance floor. Whilst outside in the freezing cold, skulk the ever watchful,ever ready, Lucky Eric,
Judd, Les and Ralph, Hold tight,for a white knuckle ride to remember!
"You'llbe rolling in your seats and bursting at the seams" Daily Mirror
"Awhirlwind mixture of witty one-liners" The Hull Daily Mail
WINNEROF 7 LOS ANGELES DRAMA CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS
VOTEDAS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYS OF THE 20TH CENTURY BY THE NATIONAL
THEATRE
Tickets: £9
THE UPBEAT BEATLES
Since their formation in 1997, The Upbeat Beatles areconsidered to be The Premier Beatle tribute band. 4 professional musicians,with no tricks, perform all the Beatles greatest hits. No backing tracks,authentic equipment to recreate The Beatles sound. Great powerhouse vocals,close harmonies, a dedication to their craft that will give you a night toremember.
So expect a night packed with audience participation, they’ll have you rollingas well as rocking in the aisles - the nearest you get to the real thing.
K.K Downing guitarist of Judas Priest says:
The UpbeatBeatles are a great tribute band, musically they are faultless, with tight,
accurate harmonies and instrumentation, the boys will not disappoint you!
I saw them in my home town ofBridgnorth in Shropshire and they bought the house down.
NOT TO BE MISSED!!!
K.K. Downing guitarist of Judas Priest!
Tickets: £12
HOWARD JONES ORDINARY WORLD ACOUSTIC TOUR
This acoustic showwill feature Jones on piano and vocals, accompanied by Jonathan Atkinson onpercussion. With stories andanecdotes from his 26 year career, Jones will take you on an emotional rollercoasterride not to be missed. Get yourtickets now!
"An album that's not just his most consistentlyfulfilling but also his most promising." **** MOJO on Ordinary Heroes
For more information www.howardjones.com
Tickets: £15/£14
October 2010
A NIGHT ON BROADWAY - Blackburn & Darwen Brass Band
Tickets: £7
FREDDIE STARR - CANCELLED
Due to Freddie Starr having a heart attack his public appearances have been cancelled for the next six months.
If you have booked any tickets for this show, please contact the Theatre for a refund or a transfer to another show.
For more information visit Freddie's official website
Tickets: £21 Concessions £20
CANNON & BALL
Stepping in after Freddie Starr pulled out, we're delighted that one of the UK's top comedy double acts are returning to Thwaites Empire Theatre.
Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball have been entertaining audiences since the late 1960s and are now as busy and popular as ever, touring the country with their Laughter Shows which appeal to fans old and new.
More recently, the duo have starred on ITV's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, which has won them a whole new generation of fans, and were the headline act on the Great British Variety Show that toured large theatres across the UK.
Come along and enjoy longest-running double act in British Comedy, still at the top of their game.
Tickets: £20
THE AMERICAN FOUR TOPS
Back for a third sensational year!
From Atlanta, Georgia, USA, William Hicks has become the most prominent ambassador internationally of Motown sound in the last two decades.
He formed Soul Satisfaction in 1990 and has taken the show across the globe from its roots in Atlanta to Europe and Asia performing on land and sea.
The show features the star and backbone Mr William Hicks on lead vocals. His superb vocal range seems to know no limits and his unique voice has been compared to that of Levi Stubbs of the original Four Tops.
William is responsible not only for arranging the splendid vocal harmony structures of his backing singers but also for choreographing the high stepping impressive dance routines keeping things pure Motown.
Plus Special Guest - the return of Jeff Lee!
Tickets: £12
COLIN HILTON & FRIENDS
Tickets:
GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
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GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU
Adapted by David Wood OBE
Directed by David Wood OBE
Produced by Rose Theatre Kingston
and Sally Humphreys Productions
The classic story of Little and Big Nutbrown Hares' efforts to express their love for each other can now be enjoyed LIVE ON STAGE.
This publishing phenomenon has sold more than 22 million copies worldwide, 2.5 million copies in the UK alone and has been published in 37 languages. It remains one of this country's top selling books for young children.
Running at 55 minutes, this new show with songs has been adapted for the stage by the nation's favourite children's writer David Wood OBE, and will also feature the stories included in 'Guess How Much I Love You All Year Round'.
Tickets: £12 Schools £7
AUSTENS WOMEN
Directed by Guy Masterson
SUPERB HIT AT EDINBURGH 2009 & ADELAIDE FESTIVAL 2010!
Some of the most rewarding and exciting moments from the complete works of Jane Austen, the queen of English Literature! Brought to the stage in a superb performance of extraordinary virtuosity by Rebecca Vaughan, thirteen of Austen's beautifully observed women are assembled in one glorious distillation of 19th century feminism. From scenes of high comedy to moments of profound pathos, Vaughan takes us on a rich journey into Austen's "two inches of ivory" featuring Lizzy Bennet, Emma Woodhouse, Anne Elliot, the Dashwood Sisters and many more, as they fall in and out of love, make friends with some, alienate others and commit notorious improprieties!
"Vaughan's performance is unfaultable...this is a thoroughly enjoyable exploration of women & is thoroughly recommended" (Edinburgh Guide)
"A startling feat of performance, portrayal, writing & direction...each character has been carefully created and each is a piece in itself... a strongly recommended show" (Fringe Review)
Tickets: £12
THE GO'S SHOW - Monday Club
the Golden Oldies sing and dance to songs old and new.
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
Blackburn Drama Club
Tickets:
WOLFMAN INVESTIGATIONS: THE CURSE OF THE MANIC MUSEUM
Wolfie returns in an all-new Spooktacular adventure for Halloween!
Join Wolfie once again for an exciting adventure in the haunted corridors of the old museum, as he battles evil mummies and Doctor ClockVerk - the most villainous villain he has ever faced!
He's once again joined by Lydia, M.A.G.I.C. - and you! Help him save the world before teatime (again).
Panto-style fun for the whole family. All tickets just £5.
Tickets: £5
BLOWERS - CAUGHT SHORT AND GRUMPY
When Blowers is at the microphone, laughter and a touch of wickedness are never far away. He is constantly laughing at himself and tells great stories about his life and famous friends. He is a self-confessed stuffy old fart and a good deal of modern life gets up his nose. Political Correctness, ‘Elf and Safety and the EU all get it in the neck.
For the last half an hour Blowers hands the show to the audience and does his best to answer questions on anything and everything. It's terrific fun. Don't miss it.
Tickets: £16.50/£15
CIRCUS HILARIOUS
Now 15 years old, Circus Hilarious is creating laughter and mayhem all over the UK.
Featuring the award-winning father & son duo Clive Webb and Danny Adams together with Cousin Timoni and Mad Mick's Clownforce they create side-splitting humour with all the fun, magic and excitement of the circus - live in the theatre.
Guaranteed to make all the family roar with laughter - we can confidently say you should be prepared to laugh your socks off!
Tickets: £10 or Family Ticket £36
November 2010
SARA - Monday Club
Tickets: £5 Members £2.50
DAVE SPIKEY WARM UP
Tickets: £12
THE GRUMBLEWEEDS
Celebrating over 40 years in Showbiz, The Grumbleweeds are not an act to rest on their laurels. With hit TV and radio series behind them they've drawn on all their years of experience and know-how to develop a brand-new, exciting, fast moving act still firmly based on music, comedy and impressions.
Constantly updated, the duo comprises of founders Robin Colvill and Graham Walker who are firmly established as a top comedy duo the whole family can enjoy.
Tickets: £10 or Family Ticket £36
JUNIOR SHOWTIME 2010
Tickets: Adults £9 Children £6
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
SCHOOL AND GROUP BOOKINGS HOTLINE
07971 167946
Click here to go to the Pantomime Website
email: panto@thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk
Public tickets on sale from 1st September
Tickets: Available from 1st September