What’s On

The Vienna Festival Ballet present The Nutcracker. This October at King George’s Hall, be swept away on a magical adventure in one of the most famous classical ballets of all time – The Nutcracker. With its combination of enchanting choreography and unforgettable music, this fabulous ballet is a treat like no other. Set to Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous score, the traditional tale …

This is a public safety announcement… Please keep your head firmly on your shoulders, and your arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times – Ministry of Science Live is about to explode onto the stage! Ministry of Science Live is not your ordinary science show; it comes with a BANG. It comes with a whoosh. But most …

Join us this October at Blackburn Empire Theatre for Buddy Holly and the Cricketers’ autumn tour. There’s much to celebrate in what is the 60th anniversary year of Buddy’s one and only UK tour. Although he lived a short life Buddy certainly left a great musical legacy that lives on today. As the summer holidays fade to a distant memory, …

This October at Blackburn Empire Theatre, Mick Miller returns to the UK with his Back from Vegas tour! In 2017, ITV offered Mick chance to perform at a major showroom in the entertainment capital of the world, Las Vegas as part of their 2018 show. Last Laugh in Vegas. He was a part of a team nine British showbiz stars …

This October at King George’s Hall, prepare to relive the magic of Fleetwood Mac with the world’s first and one of the best tribute bands. Endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself and raved about by Peter Green’s biographer, Fleetwood Bac are one of the only Fleetwood Mac tribute band in the world to authentically replicate the classic Stevie/Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick Rumours line-up. With rave …

The Older Peoples Forum (Blackburn with Darwen) is hosting a Civic Ceremony on Monday 1st October (12:30 pm outside Darwen Town Hall) to mark the annual United Nations Day of Older Persons. During the morning there will be activity raising awareness on Older Peoples Issues (10:30am TO 12:30pm in Darwen Market), and followed by refreshments at the Darwen Library Theatre …

The Giant Killers, the inspiring true story of Darwen FC, heads to Darwen Library Theatre this October. Set in the early years of Association Football, The Giant Killers follows a ragtag bunch of Lancashire mill workers who defied all odds to become the first working-class team in the country to play in the FA Cup. Left tired and despondent from …

This October, Darwen Library Theatre welcomes the second best reviewed show of Edinburgh Festival 2017 from award winning star of the West End hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Phil Nichol. Trump. Your wrong. Brexit. Your wrong. Facebook. Your wrong. Tinder. Your wrong. Religion. Your wrong. Fashion. Your wrong. Grammar. Your wrong! We are being watched. Whether it’s the grammar Nazis on …

This October, The Three Degrees head to King George’s Hall with original members Helen Scott & Valerie Holiday, along with Freddie Pool, for their 50th Anniversary Tour! The Three Degrees are an American female vocal group, formed in Philadelphia in 1963. The group has remained a trio with two original members since Sheila Ferguson left many moons ago. A firm …

This October at Blackburn Empire Theatre, prepare yourselves for hit after hit in this blockbuster show paying tribute to the one and only Barry Manilow. Worldwide performer, Vancouver born Bryant Olender takes audiences on a musical journey through the life of this megastar. This outstanding vocalist genuinely loves Barry’s music and has, by his own admission, been a fan for …

Britain’s Ultimate Pop Star, Cliff Richard is celebrating 60 years in the music industry and he wants to invite you to the most fabulous big screen party at Darwen Library Theatre this October! His incredible energy and passion on stage will sweep you off your feet and be sure to have you swaying in the aisles. 103 album releases, 123 …

From the team that brought you Dirty Dusting, this brand-new comedy will make you die laughing this October at Blackburn Empire Theatre! Seriously Dead is an up-lifting tale guaranteed to make you feel like there is nothing serious about being dead at all, because life’s party never ends! It simply moves to another location. The show tells the hilarious tale of deceased bank …

It’s been nearly 40 years since ABBA last toured, but this October at King George’s Hall, you can dance, you can jive, and have the time of your life with ABBAMANIA. ABBAMANIA’s widely acclaimed tribute to ABBA is a sensational two-hour show featuring record breaking and timeless hits such as ‘Waterloo’ and ‘Dancing Queen’. Their aim is for to you …

This September at King George’s Hall take a journey back in time as we remember the man, the music, the magic: Michael Jackson. Michael starring Ben is the latest smash hit theatre production from renowned producer James Baker and features the UK’s ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman. James not only looks and sounds like Michael Jackson but has …

“George don’t do that.” Joyce Grenfell was a British comedienne, and queen of the comic monologue. An acclaimed comedy performer on stage, radio and television. This October at Darwen Library Theatre, Kimberley Russel re-imagines her iconic creations in a one woman show, performing Joyce’s monologues and songs, as she takes us on a journey through smiles and thoughts and tears. …

World-touring acoustic blues pioneer Catfish Keith has established himself as one of the most exciting country blues performers of our time, and this October he’ll be taking to the stage at Darwen Library Theatre. Catfish’s innovative style of foot-stomping, deep delta blues and American roots music has spellbound audiences the world over. He has reinvented the guitar with great power …

Join us at Blackburn Empire Theatre this October for a celebration of Roy Orbison’s musical legacy! This show is quite simply unmissable as Barry Steele takes audiences on a specially revamped journey; from the early sun years through to the late 80’s, plus a special tribute to the time Roy spent with The Traveling Wilburys and Jeff Lynne. The show …

Fred’s House met whilst working on a show at Darwen Library Theatre; this October we’ll be welcoming them back! Fred’s House make summery 70’s West Coast inspired folk/rock but have their own distinctively fresh sound that is very much part of now. This group of musicians have the rare ability to sweep you away with their gorgeous harmonies, moving lyrics, …

Join us at Blackburn Empire Theatre this October for one of the most highly rated tribute acts on the circuit: Limehouse Lizzy. Renowned for an action-packed pyrotechnic-fuelled explosion of a show, Limehouse Lizzy continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, well and dominating stages worldwide. Attention to detail, playful audience …

The legendary Joanna Lumley will embark on her first ever live tour, It’s All About Me, with a stop at King George’s Hall this November. Joanna will take audiences through her hilarious and interesting adventures, from her incredible career spanning more than four decades, recounting some never heard before stories. She will also be joined on stage by friend and …

With 11 solo albums and five Icicle Works albums, no two of Ian McNabb’s shows are ever the same. Mixed with wit, tales and political critique, join us for a night to remember this October at Darwen Library Theatre. McNabb’s first gig was way back in 1974 and he’s barely stopped since! When he’s not being banned from Facebook, Ian spends …

This October Irish wildlife cameraman and television presenter, Colin Stafford-Johnson, shares his hair-raising stories at Darwen Library Theatre. Colin is one of the world’s most acclaimed and internationally awarded filmmakers. Throughout his legendary career, Colin has won countless awards from wildlife festivals and events around the world. He’s lived first hand with tigers for many years in India, filmed some …

Selladoor Family presents Guess How Much I Love You. Join Little & Big Nutbrown Hare from the bestselling ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ and ‘I Love You All Year Round’ collection, as they leap off the page and into King George’s Hall this October, in this magical journey through the seasons. Watch Little & Big Nutbrown Hare settle down …

The Vicar of Dibley by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter The stage adaptation of the television programme takes its source, primarily, from the first two series of the show, aired between 1994 and 1998. This September, Blackburn Empire Theatre welcomes the stage adaptation of one of Britain’s greatest comedy series, The Vicar of Dibley. The show begins after the death …

With special guest Vicky Jones as Cilla. This September, the UK’s official Cliff Richard tribute heads to Blackburn Empire Theatre for an evening honouring one of the world’s greatest stars. As winner of The National Tribute Music Award 2018, Jimmy Jemain has been hailed as Europe’s finest tribute to Cliff Richard. Having met Sir Cliff and The Shadows on many …

This September at Darwen Library Theatre, Hope and Social celebrate 10 years of making music, merriment and magical moments. Eight years, five albums, thousands of gigs, Glastonbury, Leeds Arena, and many a pub and front room up and down the country – Hope & Social do the things every band does. But then so much more! A people’s band at …

Quest is a radically eclectic show that sustains fast action with great choreography as well as being totally immersive. This September at Darwen Library Theatre, Breaking Tradition, the UK’s leading folk and hip-hop dance company, comes together with award-winning folk powerhouse ‘The Demon Barbers’ to invite families, gamers, live music and dance lovers of all ages on an unforgettable adventure. …

This September, eighties rock band, Spear of Destiny celebrate their 35th anniversary at Darwen Library Theatre. Spear of Destiny were formed in 1983 after the demise of Kirk Brandon’s post punk iconic rockers Theatre of Hate. Brandon was also the main man in every punk rocker’s favourite band of the era, The Pack. The current line-up of Spear of Destiny …

This September, a premier tribute to the legendary Freddie Mercury heads to Blackburn Empire Theatre, performing with a live Queen tribute band and professional Brian May tribute, Craig Farley. Along with the many fans who mourn the loss of Freddie Mercury, Freddie and The Queen Experience, aim to celebrate the wealth of talent that came together in Queen by recreating, …

The North West’s Longest Running Soul Night is back for a celebration of Wigan Casino 45th year with a double header of Mr M’s 44th year. This September, King George’s Hall is excited to welcome Wigan Casino’s Soul All Nighter for the 45th anniversary of the celebrated club first opening its doors. The Wigan Casino first opened its doors on …