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Community Performance

Blackburn businesswoman and celebrity, Margo Grimshaw has voiced her support for the Community Performance being staged at the Thwaites Empire Theatre and signed up to be part of the cast.

There are over 125 parts written into the script of 'If These Bricks Could Talk ...' a passion-play style pageant which tells the 100 year story of the history of the Thwaites Empire Theatre in less than three hours.

The piece is professionally written and directed by producer Tim Lince of Pendle Productions. He has been associated with the theatre for over 20 years, is the Artistic Director of Blackburn Youth Theatre and is a past member of the board.   

Production Co-ordinator, Harriet Roberts took the call from the town's  self-named Baroness after publicity in the Lancashire Telegraph asking for men, women and children of all ages and performing ability and experience.

Margo Grimshaw

Margo pictured at the Recent Gala Dinner

 

'Margo's been a big supporter of the theatre from the start, and it would be great if more community figures would come forward in this way.  I think Margo quite fancies the role of Elma Yerburgh. This is a small part at the beginning of the play.  She sold the land that the cinema was built on to the original founders.'  

The only child of Daniel Thwaites II, she assumed complete control of the firm on her father's death when she was only 24. Nine years later, when the limited company was formed, she was appointed Chairman, which she remained until her death in 1946.

A shrewd businesswoman, she had no time for inefficiency. However, despite her cool, calculating business brain, she still remained a sentimental woman, who was always aware of other people's needs. The many appeals for help received by her rarely, if ever, fell on deaf ears.

As one of the most generous benefactors of Blackburn, her kindness earned her the title of 'Lady Bountiful'. Blackburn Royal Infirmary, of which she was president for 11 years, received a lot of help from her. She and her husband gave approximately £40,000, laid a foundation stone in the War Memorial Ward and subsequently opened the ward in 1928. Nine years later, the ward was named after her.

In 1888, the year she took control of the brewery, she married Robert Armstrong Yerburgh, MP for Chester for 26 years, who died in 1916. She was given the freedom of Blackburn in 1935 and was a County Magistrate. She was also invited to become the town's Mayor, but decided to decline the offer.

One story of Elma Yerburgh sums up the traditional family way she ran her business. She was well known in the brewery for walking around and asking about the welfare of her employees. If there had been a long illness in the family of a worker, an envelope containing a pound or two found its way into needy hands. When told that, now and again, someone had taken advantage of her generosity, she splendidly replied: 'As long as I do not miss helping someone in real need, I can stand being bitten.'

'Like Margo, Elma certainly became a legend in her own lifetime!   We'll be looking at all the roles to see which suits her best', said Harriet. 

Due the growing size and interest in the project the performance dates are now being split either side of the summer, with the shorter school project versions taking place in June and  the longer Community Version of the Play being presented in two parts around the time of Heritage Open Weekend - 11th/12th September.  The September dates will coincide with some free tours and local heritage walks along with the burial of a time capsule to mark the 100 year landmark of the theatre.  For more information contact Harriet Roberts:  07850 959 898.

Information Meeting:  Tuesday 30th March 2010,  7.30pm  Thwaites Empire Theatre

Release Date: Tuesday 23 March 2010