Published Thursday 7 October 2021 at 13:20
The Hallé Orchestra first opened Blackburn’s King George’s Hall – and they’ll return 100 years on to perform the same programme their musical peers did a century ago.
So many famous names of the last century have passed over the steps of King George’s Hall.
From Prime Ministers and Kings to pop stars and comedians, the entertainment complex, originally named Blackburn Public Halls, has played host to them all.
The very first concert in October, 1921, saw the prestigious Hallé Orchestra perform and later this month the Manchester musicians will return on Friday 22nd October for a special anniversary concert.
100 years ago, 60 players performed a variety of Elgar and Wagner — and programmes were just a penny!
Nearly 3,000 people attended and the benchmark was set for a future of big names and hit-makers to grace the main stage.
There will also be a cenetary part night, hosted by loveable weatherman Owain Wyn Evans, on Thursday 21st October. A competition has been launched on social media, giving you the chance to win free tickets to attend the event!
Highlights from the past 100 years at King George’s Hall have included 1950s musician Ted Heath, who led Britain’s greatest post-war big band.
The Beatles visited in 1963 with Roy Orbison and Gerry and The Pacemakers, as part of a UK tour.
David Bowie brought his Ziggy Stardust tour to Blackburn on May bank holiday in 1973, Paul Weller has sold out King George’s Hall on more than one occasion and The Clash did a gig in 1984 for £4 a ticket.
Regulars over the years included Slade, David Essex, Status Quo and Daniel O’Donnell.
More recently Boyzone, Manic Street Preachers, Robbie Williams and McFly have all enjoyed gigs at the complex.
And it hasn’t only been the stars of the music business that have been drawn to Blackburn.
The country’s top comedians have brought their tours to the town over the years including Jo Brand, Steve Coogan and Billy Connolly.
And today’s successful stand ups continue to visit the venue with recent visits from Lee Evans, Jimmy Carr and Jason Manford.
The idea for King George’s Hall was born in the early 1900s when it was decided that the council buildings which hosted entertainment were too small.
And so the land on Blakey Moor was purchased in 1905 at a cost of £80,244.
The final cost of the building, visited by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1939, was estimated at £345,000.
The Foundation stone, quarried at Butler’s Delph in Pleasington, was laid by King George V (hence the name) in July, 1913 but the hall didn’t open as an entertainment venue for another eight years – as the First World War broke out and it was temporarily used as a Red Cross Hospital.
Inside King George’s many original features have been retained to this day, including much of the original feature plaster work.
The main auditorium is home to beautiful art deco lighting, an addition brought in from another theatre, believed to be in the Liverpool area, in around 1966.
The ‘Walls Have Ears’ exhibition of memorabilia took place last month and there will be free behind the scenes tours of the building taking place over the next 12 months.
Cllr Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Leisure and Culture at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:
King George’s Hall is such an important piece of our boroughs cultural heritage. I am so excited and honoured to be a part of celebrating 100 years of the iconic venue.
Welcoming the Hallé Orchestra back after a century is a really rich, fitting and poetic way to mark this occasion.
And we are delighted that we have been able to invite residents who have many fond memories of King George’s Hall to attend the celebratory party night. It will be a fantastic evening filled with fun and laughter!
Thousands of people not just here, but across the world, have experiences or memories associated with King George’s Hall, and I hope all our residents are as excited as I am about this very special birthday.