CHILDREN can enjoy one of Roald Dahl’s beloved classics when a new show takes to the stage at the Thwaites Empire Theatre next month. ‘James and the Giant Peach’ adapted by Richard R George and directed by Lisa-Marie Hunt will be showing at the theatre on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th June. The audience can…

One of Blackburn’s most popular monthly community clubs returns to Thwaites Empire Theatre next month after taking a short break due to theatre repairs.   The ‘Monday Club’ returns to the popular entertainment venue of Monday, 6th June with a full programme of entertainment including musical performances from Roy Chappell, Betzee, Pete Lindup and vocal…

Well what a month April 2016 has been for the theatre. On the 3rd of April we suffered a partial collapse of the ceiling above the stage rigging. Fortunately, no one was injured and the auditorium was cleared very quickly. The dance school that had hired the theatre for the day for a presentation were…

The Thwaites Empire Theatre has announced a new date for the UK’s longest-running tribute to Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry. Due to theatre repairs at the venue, Roxy Magic’s performance on Friday, 20th May was postponed and has now been rescheduled to take centre stage at the Blackburn Empire on Saturday, 18th June. This band…

Fans of David Bowie will come together to celebrate the late musician’s life at the Thwaites Empire Theatre.  ‘STARMAN – The David Bowie Story’ is a highly entertaining, emotional and thought-provoking musical celebration fans will want to see again and again. Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Thin White Duke and Major Tom will all make appearances…

It’s hard to believe that 50 years have gone by since the most successful folk-rock duo of all time Simon and Garfunkel recorded their first number one hit The Sound of Silence. The duo is still as popular today with their music appealing to a whole new generation of fans, captivated by their hauntingly poignant…

Jimmy Cricket named as new ambassador for Thwaites Empire Theatre after supporting Restoration Fortnight with a special fundraising show. During a question and answer session with the audience, the Irish comedian was asked to become the theatre’s honorary patron. A delighted Jimmy accepted immediately saying that it was a “great honour”. “I am proud to…

A 94-year-old patron of the Thwaites Empire Theatre is urging people to support a monthly community theatre show as it nears its 10th birthday.  Feniscowles resident, Jim Kendall, a long-time supporter and first-ever member of the crowd-pleasing ‘Monday Club’ is commending the community initiative and urging more locals to join. The once-a-month gathering, which takes…

One of Blackburn’s volunteer led theatres has been recognised for their creative approach to marketing and community work after being shortlisted for two Blackburn and Darwen Hive Business Awards. The theatre has been announced as a finalist for both the Buzz and the Creative and Digital Award. Both categories recognise businesses in the creative sector including theatre and…

Due to unavoidable repairs at the theatre a number of shows have been rescheduled. All tickets purchased for performances will be valid for the new date. For any other queries please contact the booking office on 01254 685500 Monday to Saturday 10am – 12.30pm. List of new dates for rescheduled shows The Graduate – 18th…

VOLUNTEERS at the Thwaites Empire Theatre are holding a ‘Restoration Fortnight’ with a host of acts performing to raise money for theatre repairs. Irish comedian, Jimmy Cricket has been announced as the first act to perform on Monday 25th April at the two-week long fundraiser with a madcap comedy show and Q&A session.   More…

Celebrate smash hits from the 50s and 60s at the Thwaites Empire Theatre’s throwback Summer Dreaming show. The swinging summer celebration will pay homage to the iconic music from the 50s and 60s during a hugely entertaining five-star show. Set to have the audience jiving away on Friday, 10th June, the rocking event features a…

You may already be aware that on Sunday afternoon some plasterboard from the ceiling above the stage area of the theatre fell onto the rigging over the stage. It has been a shock to the volunteers & staff at the theatre and this event was, of course, totally unforeseen. We appreciate the hard work that…

THE UK’s longest-running tribute to Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry will perform in Blackburn next month. Roxy Magic will take to the stage at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, based on Aqueduct Road on Friday, 20th May. This band of experienced and talented musicians recreate the diverse music and imagery of the hugely influential Roxy Music and…

Due to popular demand The Kilkennys will be returning to the Thwaites Empire Theatre with an evening of live music on Wednesday, 22 June. Renowned for their musicianship and vocal abilities, The Kilkennys have gained a reputation for revitalising traditional Irish music and adding their own touch of passion and youthful energy. Formed at a…

One of the finest tributes to Queen, Magic, are set to perform all of their greatest hits at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Saturday, 2 April. Well known on the UK theatre circuit for their tributes to Queen, the Electric Light Orchestra and even the Beach Boys, Magic has been entertaining with a truly live show for more…

A brand-new spectacular stage show featuring all the hits from everyone’s favourite dance movie is coming to the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Thursday, 7th April. No film has captured the hearts of a generation quite like Dirty Dancing and now it’s time to relive the passion with ‘A Night of Dirty Dancing’ the ultimate tribute…

With Easter holidays on the horizon, there’s an opportunity for children and young people to create a piece of theatre in a week. Pendle Productions and the Thwaites Empire Theatre are offering youngsters the chance to develop, devise, rehearse and perform a play under the guidance of a professional director. Throughout the week, the group…

The ultimate Kate Bush tribute show, will take the audience through the career of one of the world’s most iconic artistes at the Thwaites Empire Theatre.  Featuring many of the hits from the catalogue of Kate Bush, The Red Shoes tribute show brings classic album numbers to the theatre on Sunday, 20th March. The tribute…

A TRIBUTE act to legendary singer Roy Orbison is set to delight audiences at The Thwaites Empire Theatre on Friday, 18th March. This year, would have been Roy Orbison’s 80th birthday and to celebrate this, Barry Steele and his band have created a brand new production featuring the greatest hits of the rock legend. Orbison,…

The only tribute act endorsed by Take That are performing at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Friday, 11th March. Hailing from all corners of the industry, the individual performers who make up Re-Take That each bring their own unique qualities. More accustomed to playing larger music venues and festivals, the cosy theatre gives fans a…

Top variety performers will be taking to the stage at Blackburn’s Thwaites Empire Theatre next month for a special charity show. Local comedian Des Day, will be introducing the special one-night only event to raise funds for The Christie Charity on March 10, from 7.30pm. The ever popular variety show now in its ninth-year features…

Fans of song and dance will no doubt be flocking to a stage tribute to Broadway at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Sunday, 6th March. Brought to the theatre by Clearer Productions, the show is said to be a ‘breezy, all-dancing extravaganza with a mix of music, movement and wit. The production is an uplifting…

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 27th May. From the depths of Liverpool’s Cavern Club all the way up to that famous rooftop on The Apple Building, The Upbeat Beatles will take…

Having headlined the 2015 Glastonbudget Festival in May last year, Totally Tina comes shaking her tail feathers, to Blackburn. Totally Tina is an award-winning tribute to the Queen of Rock and Roll, she plays at the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Saturday, 12th March. She was given the ‘official UK number one’ honour by the Agents…

Rebel Dean celebrates Shakin’ Stevens in a brand new-show coming to the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Friday, 19th February. ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ is an exclusive tribute show following the steps to stardom of the young Welshman through his 70s touring band era. Dean, dressed in the famous pink jacket and classic denim jeans, will perform…

Due to popular demand, the Thwaites Empire Theatre are pleased to announce that The Billy Joel Songbook will be returning to the entertainment venue on Saturday, 21st May. Following a massive demand for tickets at the Empire last year, dynamic singer and songwriter, Elio Pace and his magnificent 6-piece band have added a new date…

A country music tribute show featuring eight of the biggest icons on the American Country scene is coming to the Thwaites Empire Theatre. One of Europe’s number one tribute shows, The Legends of American Country, will be coming to the theatre on Wednesday, 17th February at 7.30pm. The ‘hit show’ features the music of eight…

The producers of the smash-hit ‘Hansel and Gretel’ are coming to the Thwaites Empire Theatre this February half-term with another magical family show after wowing sell-out audiences in 2015. This time, promising fun for all the family, LP Creatives present ‘Treasure Island’ over the February school holidays. The audience will be taken on a magical…

It was with great sadness that the Thwaites Empire Theatre heard of the death of one of the great supporters of the venue on Friday the 22nd of January 2016. Joe Fish was a well known local radio presenter with Radio Lancashire and over many years had other business interests such as a touring company…

A charity theatre in Blackburn has made a plea to people across the borough to support their local theatre and volunteer their services.   Thwaites Empire Theatre, a popular focal point for entertainment in the borough, is appealing for more volunteers to help due to an increase in demand. The volunteer led theatre and former…

DANCING queens are in for the night of their lives as a new Abba tribute concert lands at the Thwaites Empire Theatre.  A two-hour theatre spectacular featuring all of Abba’s greatest and most memorable hits takes centre stage with a string of records on Saturday, 30th January. ‘Thank ABBA For The Music’ is the ultimate tribute concert capturing…

One of the UK’s premier tribute bands are set to rock into the Thwaites Empire Theatre bringing with them all the energy and excitement of a live Rolling Stones concert. ‘The Stones’ will perform an array of classic hits and timeless Rolling Stones tracks on stage at one of Blackburn’s most popular entertainment venues on…

Phew!! It was such a remarkable final quarter of 2015. October and November saw audience numbers rise for all of our shows on a like for like basis. In December, we had a record number of ticket sales for our Jack and the Beanstalk Christmas pantomime. Whether we look at audience numbers, novelty sales, programmes,…

A Led Zeppelin tribute band will be bringing a ‘Whole Lotta Love’ to the Thwaites Empire Theatre on Friday, 5th February. Mothership, described in the press as one of the ‘most-authentic-sounding’ Led Zeppelin tribute bands in the UK, kick off their brand new multi-media tour at the theatre based on Aqueduct Road, Blackburn. The centrepiece…

One of Blackburn’s biggest entertainment venues has revealed tickets have already been sold or reserved for this year’s Christmas pantomime following record-breaking ticket sales in December.  Multiple showings of this year’s Christmas production, Sinbad at the Thwaites Empire Theatre, have already been sold out despite tickets only going on sale for group bookings in late…