What’s On

Inspired by the touching children’s story, The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde; this February at Darwen Library Theatre, Soap Soup Theatre and Tessa Bide Productions explore an unusual friendship, and how even the grumpiest giant’s heart can melt when Spring finally comes. Grinter is a giant. She lives happily alone in her huge cold house, surrounded by her huge snowy …

This February at King George’s Hall, The Goldhawks, deliver a stunning live performance of The Who’s smash hit concept album, Quadrophenia. Released over 40 years ago in October 1973, The Who’s second rock opera, Quadrophenia, was Pete Townshend’s homage to a pivotal moment in British youth culture. The album tells the story of Jimmy, a Mod, chronicling his dissatisfaction with life, …

By William Shakespeare Simon Russell Beale plays William Shakespeare’s Richard II, broadcast live from the stage of the Almeida Theatre in London to Darwen Library Theatre this February. This visceral new production about the limits of power will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous plays include Little Revolution at the Almeida and Absolute Hell at the National Theatre. Richard …

Mark Thomas is 54, the NHS is 70, UK national average life expectancy is 84. If Mark makes it to 84 the NHS will be 100, what will they both look like? Based on a series of interviews with leading experts in the NHS and residencies in hospitals and surgeries; this February at Darwen Library Theatre, Mark Thomas uses his …

Falla El Amor brujo Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Beethoven Symphony No.7 Carlos Miguel Prieto conductor | Sergio Castelló López clarinet This February at King George’s Hall, The Hallé’s Principal Clarinet Sergio Castelló López is soloist in Mozart’s serene concerto. It was written for Anton Stadler, hugely respected despite Mozart’s nickname for him: ‘old redcurrant face’. The concerto was tailored …

One of the world’s greatest tribute shows dedicated to female rock legends and powerhouse vocalists of the last four decades heads to Blackburn Empire Theatre this February. With three of the UK’s most experienced and in demand rock singers, the show takes the audience on a roller coaster ride of hits by artists such as Cher, Bonnie Tyler, Heart, Pat …

Now in their 15th year of touring, The Market Theatre company are heading to Blackburn Empire Theatre this February with their latest adult panto: Hansel & Gretel Go Down in the Woods. In their own unique style they’ve taken a traditional fairy story and corrupted it beyond belief; packing it with corny jokes, raunchy plots and blatant sexual innuendos! With …

This February at Darwen Library Theatre, a classic murder mystery is created on the spot in this ingenious and hilarious show from Bristol Improv Theatre’s resident company. You become Agatha Christie in this improvised comedy as each night an original murder mystery play is created based entirely on audience suggestions. So take up your magnifying glasses and don your deerstalkers …

Created by Take That fans for Take That fans! Join one of the UK’s favourite tribute acts, Re-Take That, this February at Blackburn Empire Theatre for the ultimate Take That party and fully interactive sing-along experience! This all singing, all dancing and sing, all partying spectacular is the first show of its kind and features performances from the incredible, Robbie …

Fans will have the chance to witness the passion of dedicated athletes perfecting their craft this February at King George’s Hall. Wrestling Superstars will collide in a clash of skill and will in the ring, gripping the audience’s attention like nothing they have seen before! Spectators will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite stars; …

This February, Oh! What A Feeling! heads to King George’s Hall with a stellar line-up of world class musicians including Talon’s own Jonny Miller and the awesome talent of Malcolm Pitt as the voice of Lionel Richie and The Commodores This high octane show which includes all the greatest hits, including: ‘Easy’, Dancing On The Ceiling’, ‘Three Times A Lady’, …

The Churchfitters are a folk band like no other. A double bass made out of a saucepan. Heart-wrenching vocals accompanied by a musical saw. Foot-stompingly fast fiddle mixed with infectious funk-rock rhythms. And traditional tunes reinvigorated with mesmerising jazz sax. This February at Darwen Library Theatre, three virtuoso musicians from England and France will strut their stuff on a stage …

Blackburn Empire Theatre is proud to welcome The George Michael Story this February. The only touring show to perform George Michael’s hits in chronological order, The George Michael Story tells in detail the career of George and his 100 million record selling history. The show starts with George in the Wham! days and through to the Grammy Award winning album, …

Six stunning specialist musicians, five vibrant voices and thirteen versatile instruments. “If it swings, they can, and will play it!” Performing an exciting mix of 1940s classics, Boogie-Woogie, Western Swing, 50’s Jump Jazz, The Swing Commanders are back at Blackburn Empire Theatre this January! Every member of the Swing Commanders sings and plays at least one instrument, sometimes three! Yet, …

Grab your platforms and flares this January at Blackburn Empire Theatre 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 …

This January, AC/DC UK bring their-two hour powerhouse show, featuring all the hits from 1975’s High Voltage to 2015’s Rock or Bust, to Blackburn Empire Theatre. The experienced back line drive out the set with the same tenacity, volume, and passion as the real deal! All the AC/DC gimmicks are brought out to whip the crowd into a frenzy! From …

Following the announcement that Kaiser Chiefs had re-signed to Polydor / Universal, the band have announced a new tour, including a stop at King George’s Hall this January. The band have also announced that they are back in the studio working on their seventh studio album with Ben Allen, the producer who worked on the band’s UK number one album, Education, …

This January at King George’s Hall, experience one the band that keeps the sound of Johnny Cash alive: Keep It Cash. Keep it Cash proudly centre their tribute show around the uncanny natural sound-alike quality of Dave Burnham’s baritone voice. The band is a labour of love and a product of many years of hard work, dedication and unrivaled knowledge …

This January at King George’s Hall, The Vaccines return to their roots with their new album, Combat Sports; ranging from pure Vaccines rock and roll through to power-pop. It is a combination that has never failed them in the past, as demonstrated by 15 consecutive A-listed singles at Radio 1, performing on Later…with Jools Holland on four separate occasions and …

Following a series of incredibly well-received European dates earlier this year including two sold out London shows at Eventim Apollo, Suede have announced a nationwide UK tour for April 2019, with a stop at Blackburn’s King George’s Hall. Suede’s new tour follows the release of their new top five album, The Blue Hour, the final part of the triptych of …

“Though our hearts and souls are tuned to the songs which came before us, we bring you new words and music forged from our own experiences, from the lows and the loves of our lives. “Our art is energy and our hope is unity. Our pleasure is to please: let the audience be the acid test and let the music …

I’m Not Running by David Hare I’m Not Running is an explosive new play by David Hare, premiering at the National Theatre and broadcast live Darwen Library Theatre in January. Pauline Gibson has spent her life as a doctor, the inspiring leader of a local health campaign. When she crosses paths with her old boyfriend, a stalwart loyalist in Labour …

Antony & Cleopatra by William Shakespeare Broadcast live from the National Theatre to Darwen Library Theatre this January, Ralph Fiennes and Sophie Okonedo play Shakespeare’s famous fated couple in his great tragedy of politics, passion and power. Caesar and his assassins are dead. General Mark Antony now rules alongside his fellow defenders of Rome. But at the fringes of a …

Blackburn Market will welcome MasterChef finalist, Moonira Hinglotwala, for a cookery demonstration this Saturday. Moonira, a pharmacist and mother-of-two from Blackburn, cooked up a storm earlier this year making it to the final of BBC’s MasterChef. Join Moonira as she cooks up some festive delights and Christmas classics, with a couple of tasty samples! Recipe cards will also be available …

Blackburn Empire Theatre is to welcome back the sensational Hello Again Neil Diamond this January. Using evocative imagery, video and narration, this show will take the audience on a musical journey through Neil Diamond’s glittering 50-year career. From the bang years, to the present day, audiences are guaranteed to be singing and dancing to all the classic hits; from ‘Sweet …

Blackburn Empire Theatre is proud to welcome the return of one of the UK’s best tributes to the legendary Everly Brothers this January. With live acoustic guitars, flawless harmonies, and all the hits performed in the original keys, this is the only show of its kind dedicated to one of the world’s greatest harmony duos. Including all the classics such …

Blackburn Empire Theatre are proud to welcome Happy Birthday Elvis, a tribute to the career of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, celebrating what would have been his 83rd 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 the concert shows of the …

Blackburn’s packed Big Christmas programme continues this weekend with the Christmas Parade. Pop Up Entertainment in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council will stage a festive themed parade on Saturday 1st December featuring magical characters from family favourite Christmas tales. Families and friends are invited to join enchanted princes and princesses, Nutcracker ballerinas, acrobatic elves, Toy Soldier stilt-walkers, Father …

PMA Productions are delighted to be returning to Darwen Library Theatre this Christmas with the gigantic pantomime adventure, Jack and the Beanstalk. With a little help from a few magic beans, Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be a fairy-tale to send the imagination wild! Sent to market to sell the family’s cow, Jack instead buys magic beans but finds …

Stageworks Worldwide Productions will return to King George’s Hall in 2018 with the breath-taking Sleeping Beauty, following their sell-out production of Beauty and the Beast in 2017. Winner of The Voice 2016 and newly announced frontman of Wet Wet Wet, Kevin Simm will also return for his sixth Christmas to play our handsome Prince Phillip. Jennifer Greene, who stunned audiences …