Blackburn Empire Theatre proudly welcomes the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Great Britain (NYJO) this February. Legends of Jazz celebrates the greatest jazz classics ever written, featuring tunes by the undisputable jazz masters, such as Ellington and Monk. The 23-strong (NYJO) will take to the stage under the direction of deputy Music Director, Winston Rollins,…

The ultimate show for guitar lovers is coming to Blackburn Empire Theatre this February. Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Hank Marvin, Brian May, and Slash are just some of the outstanding guitar heroes’ tracks you will have the chance to experience in one amazing show! The outstanding Story of Guitar Heroes is a live, concert style, ‘rock-umentary’ performed…

Using the music of one of the most influential girl bands in the world, Diva Mix brings a show like no other. The show takes the audience on a journey through some of the greatest Little Mix hits from Wings, to Black Magic, Shout Out to My Ex, to their latest hit, Power. But what…

An amazing eight-piece show, featuring four stunning vocalists and one of the hottest rhythm sections ever assembled: Baby I Need Your Lovin’ is an epic soul review show paying homage to the immense Tamla Motown back catalogue, 1960 – 1976. Starring the Hitsville vocalists: Lucia Matisse, Emma Kelsey and the Soul Meister himself, PJ Carter,…

Leather & Lace is a dynamic show bringing all the classic rock anthems and power ballads to the stage in a jam packed two-hour show dedicated to the greatest rock legends across the decades. Expect to hear classic rock anthems from Queen, Bon Jovi, Journey, Whitesnake and power ballads from the likes of Heart, Bonnie…

Grab your platforms and flares for a journey back to when ABBA dominated the charts and ruled the airwaves. Featuring all ABBA’s greatest and most memorable hits, Thank ABBA for The Music is the ultimate feel good tribute concert. This two-hour spectacular really does capture all the magic and excitement of one of the world’s…

A fun packed musical journey through the Swinging ’60; the greatest musical era of the 20th century. When skirts got shorter and hair got longer! Sing and dance along with the cast to the music of The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, Manfred Mann, Dusty Springfield, Lulu, Sandy…

Re-Take That are quite simply the biggest, best and most authentic tribute to one of the biggest British pop acts in history. Celebrating ten years as the nation’s favourite tribute show with the incredible new Wonderland show featuring Robbie Live! Re-Take That have brought their multi-award-winning show to thousands of fans in audiences across the…

Hello to you all. Well we are now in the most hectic time of Theatre life here at the Empire. There are over 70 performances of our Pantomime Cinderella and this year we have had a record number of group and private bookings to report. Pantomime is a major revenue earner and it is vital…

Blackburn Empire Theatre is proud to welcome The Shirley Bassey Story this January. Hailed as ‘stunning and moving’, The Shirley Bassey Story charts the life and epic career of legendary Welsh singer, Dame Shirley Bassey. From her birth in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1937 and her dramatic family life, through to her rise to international…

Blackburn Empire Theatre is proud to present Happy Birthday Elvis, a tribute to the career of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll to celebrate what would have been his 82nd birthday. Paul Molloy and the Red Alert concert band bring you a packed two-hour live show, with all the hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s to…

Have you ever seen a Princess more beautiful than Cinderella? Have you ever heard a more enchanting story? Have you ever seen two more sickeningly ugly sisters? You haven’t until you see Thwaites Empire Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella, this Christmas. Cinderella will amaze you with her rags to riches tale, while the two ugly sisters will…

With 70s classics such as “Mr Blue Sky”, “Livin’ Thing”, “Sweet Talkin Woman” and “Roll Over Beethoven” the music of ELO is as memorable today as it always has been. Now, the “Magic” guys, best known for their tribute to Queen, bring their new show to the Blackburn Empire Theatre playing all the hits of the…

Lancashire favourites, Norman Prince and Paul Johnston return to the Blackburn Empire Theatre on Friday 20th October. Their show is two jam-packed hours of songs and humour from their famous comedy & folk backgrounds. Norman was the front-man and leader of the country’s top comedy folk group, The Houghton Weavers, for over 24 years and…

The Sound of Silence, which is still one of Simon and Garfunkels most loved hits, was recorded over 50 years ago! Their music has stood the test of time and & their music is now appealing to a whole new generation of fans, captivated by their hauntingly poignant lyrics and distinctive sound of the 60s.…

Memories of yesterday are sure to come flooding back when a Beatles tribute act perform some of the fab four’s greatest hits at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Friday 13th October 2017 From the depths of Liverpool’s Cavern Club all the way up to that famous rooftop on The Apple Building, The Upbeat Beatles will…

International tribute star Rob-B-Williams is bringing his Heavy Entertainment Tour 2017 to Thwaites Empire Theatre this Saturday 7th October. Rob-B-Williams has previously appeared at the Empire alongside award winning tribute Act Re-Take That and he was so impressed with the audience reaction that he decided to open his Heavy Entertainment Tour there. The star has…

Back by popular demand, Forbidden Nights return to The Blackburn Empire this October with their Sexy Circus and brand new show. Jam-packed with action from opener till finale, it will leave you on the edge of your seat! Get ready for an evening of sultry delights and heart raising tricks with a seductive infusion of…

A local brass band is bringing Switzerland to the Blackburn Empire on Friday 22nd September with a free concert. Blackburn and Darwen Brass Band recently toured Switzerland and are now keen to share their experience with an evening of music, culture, tradition and history of this majestic country. The band have been delighting audiences since…

Over 60s years since Buddy Holly hits the charts, a new show is celebrating his influence on musical history. The Rock and Soul Show will journey through the genres with hits from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Elton John and Hank Marvin. The Rock and Soul show at the Thwaites Empire Theatre will…

A roar-tastic show is stomping into the Blackburn Empire this weekend! The Dinosaur Invasion Show is an interactive journey through the life of the pre-historic era. With over 15 realistic dinosaurs, puppets and characters take you back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the earth. Featuring animatronics from a gigantic Tyrannosaurus-Rex and the fierce Triceratops to tiny…

Take the Mike is delighted to bring the comedy stars out for a special night of laughter in Blackburn, Lancashire, Sunday 15th October 2017! The show features ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ finalist, Danny Posthill, inspirational Canadian comedian Tanya Lee Davis (‘Leaves you breathless for more’, Time Out), plus BBC comedy finalist Lauren Pattison and Pete Phillipson.…

WANNABE – The Spice Girls Show is the first major tour of a Spice Girls themed theatre show and is hitting venues UK-wide this autumn. The 90s have been coming back with a bang over the past few years. TAKE THAT have a new album, new musical and Gary Barlow had the successful TV show…

Let’s twist again to the sounds of British pop from the 60’s as it comes alive at the Empire this summer. Sing and dance along with the cast of ‘musical powerhouse’ Twist and Shout as they travel back to the era of Free Love and Flower Power with music from the ‘Swinging Sixties’ including The…

The recognised number one band that emulates the sound of Johnny Cash is calling into Ewood as part of their Just Listen tour. Keep It Cash formed in 2007 and started playing for fun in pubs and small clubs, until they started to sell out and had to move into bigger venues to accommodate the…

A much-loved comedy icon of the 80’s brings his mix of comedy and music to a local theatre this September. Duncan Norvelle, who suffered a stroke in 2012, brings a touch of laughter in the heartfelt story of his recovery and how he “Beat the Odds”. The 80’s comedian is most famous for his unforgettable…

Celebrating the career of a legendary rock band, critically acclaimed as “The UK’s top Tribute to Freddie Mercury & Queen”, rock into the Empire Theatre this month as they film their live performance. QEII The Very Best of Queen was created to honour the late Freddie Mercury and the musical legends of Queen. A desire to…

Swing it, shake it and move it to a night of songs from one of the biggest girl band of all time at the Empire Theatre this September. Performing all the favourite hits, the Wannabe Spice Girl Tribute Band will spice up your life with performances recreating the hip shaking singles including ‘Who Do You…

Blackburn is paying its own tribute to the King of Pop to mark the 35th Anniversary of Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album this summer. The Empire Theatre is presenting Craig Harrison’s award-winning Michael Jackson tribute show which aims to capture the electrifying energy of Michael’s Live performances that has amazed the world for decades. The Legacy…

It’s now or never to see one of the best tributes to Elvis Presley in the world. Paul Molloy will be serenading audiences back to the era of rock and roll on Saturday 19th August. Earning his apprenticeship in the pubs and clubs in the north of England before progressing on to TV and radio,…

The Thwaites Empire Theatre proudly presents DINOSAUR INVASION! ‘In an old abandoned laboratory setting Doctor Stone is awaiting the arrival of Professor Flint from the world-renowned Dinosaur Museum to see the findings in a part of the building which appear to be some remnants from the Jurassic age.’ Have a fun afternoon filled with dinosaurs for…

Psychic Medium, Author and Teacher is arriving at the Thwaites Empire Theatre. The renowned clairvoyant, Tony Stockwell, will demonstrate his special gift to audiences of The Empire on Wednesday 5th July. He aims to deliver messages of comfort from departed loved ones, to help close the gap of loss and to understand that a friend,…

Well, it’s that time of year when I need to give you a report of what is happening at the Empire Theatre in Blackburn, before you pack your bags and start your summer holidays. The first five months of the year have once again seen an increase in audience numbers, when compared to the same…

A programme of Summer Academies have been announced at the Blackburn Empire for budding performers looking to improve their confidence, musicality and skills. Blackburn’s biggest community theatre, at Ewood, are running the popular academies in association with the successful team from Pendle Productions. The same team who bring the pantomime to Blackburn with the 2017…

With a host of musical theatre performances, celebrated singer, Duncan Heather returns to the Blackburn Empire with his show “More Than A Tenor”. The show, on Saturday 24th June, returns by popular demand to bring an evening of West End musical classics along with anecdotes from Duncan’s years of experience in show business. Duncan told…