ACTOR and singer Bernard Wrigley will step into the spotlight on Saturday, 12 September to perform a blend traditional pieces at the Thwaites Empire Theatre after being announced as the Blackburn Heritage Festival’s headline act.
The entertainer, known as the Bolton Bullfrog, promises a combination of songs, stories, humorous monologues and instrumentals.
From starting in folk clubs in the mid-60s and then writing and performing at popular venues in Bolton, he has always combined singing and acting.
Bernard has appeared in TV programmes and films such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Phoenix Nights, Dinnerladies and Brassed Off.
Blackburn Heritage Festival Event Organiser, Harriet Roberts said: “I’m thrilled that Bernard is bringing his unique blend of entertainment to the Empire Theatre as part of the festival this year.
“As a truly talented, entertainment professional, his expertise with a live audience is a joy to watch and he’s genuinely a funny man. The theatre has also told me that they will be opening again for their popular backstage history tours when the volunteers take people behind the scenes and tell the remarkable story of the Empires fall and rise.”
The backstage tours give visitors the chance to explore the stage, lighting, sound booth and dressing rooms behind the scenes. The tours which take place between 1.30pm and 3pm on Sunday, 13 September also explain how the team raise the funds to turn a derelict cinema into a hub for performers.
Saturday, 12 September, 2015 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10 and are available on the website at www.thwaitesempiretheatre.co.uk or from the box office 01254 685500 Monday to Saturday 10am to 12:30pm.