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History

The Empire as a cinema in 1948

The Empire in 1948

Way back in the 1970s a dedicated group of enthusiasts set up a charity with the objectives of providing Blackburn with a theatre that would be a focal point for amateur arts and entertainment in the Borough and to aspire to present the very best in professional entertainment. The enthusiasm of the original steering committee was infectious and it was not long before many local organisations were eagerly contributing ideas and committing themselves wholeheartedly to driving forward the work of the 'Theatre Trust', as it had now become.

The Empire in the 1970's
  
   

Over the years countless citizens and companies have made donations to the theatre from a few pence to literally thousands of pounds. The result is the magnificent theatre you see today. Today's Board is committed to ensuring Thwaites Empire Theatre remains at the forefront of arts and entertainment.

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Thwaites Empire Theatre opened it's doors in October 2002. Just 3 years later a balcony was added. On the 14th of November 2005 the major refurbishment of the old Empire building was completed and the New Thwaites Empire Theatre was opened as a complete theatre seating a total of 320. The dream of those early visionaries has been realised. Blackburn once again has a thriving live theatre and arts centre of which it is justifiably proud.

Anthony Valentine

 

 

The Directors of the Trust have been most fortunate in securing a new patron who will take the Theatre to it's next stage of development. On the 12th of November 2005 the public was introduced to Mr Anthony Valentine the star of film, television and stage. Anthony was born on August 17th 1939 within a couple of miles of the Theatre and he remembers it in his childhood memories.

 

 

Anthony is remembered most for his outstanding contribution to the TV drama Colditz along with starring in Raffles, The Dirty Dozen, Performance, The Avengers, Lovejoy, Hammer House of Horror, Minder, Sherlock Holmes Mysteries, Tales of the Inexpected, The Bill, The Detectives and numerous others.

There is no doubting the particular magic of a live performance. Arts and entertainment have the power to change lives and to offer a view of the world from a different perspective. 

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During the time span of October 1997 and October 2005 an amazing total of £750,000 was raised by volunteers and this was spent on the loving restoration of the old building which was built as a Cinema for silent films in 1910. Over the years it was known as the Electric Light Theatre, the Barn, The Empire, The Red Brick, the Thwaites Theatreand now finally the Thwaites Empire Theatre.

The building is 100 years old in 2010 and a bid to the Heritage Lottery for financial help to mark the centenary of the Thwaites Empire Theatre with a community celebration was successful!

Work began in February 2009 on a project called '2010 - One Hundred Years of the Empire Theatre in Blackburn' which will encourage local people to discover the history of the building from its roots as one of the first cinemas in the UK. Chief Executive, Harriet Roberts explained that over two years the funding of £47,900 will support an education project to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by audiences, fundraisers, campaigners, restorers and volunteers.

'During our centenary we want to encourage new visitors to find out about this marvellous building,' she said, 'it's often a surprise when people who've only seen the outside of the theatre, step inside and see what a great job the fundraisers and renovation team did. The project becomes even more amazing when you hear the story of how it all happened and that's what the lottery funding will support us to learn about and tell people.'