Empress BallRoom
Blackpool Tower and the Empress Ballroom
Blackpool boasts one of the longest and most varied theatre seasons in the country with an amazing array of hit West End musicals, sell-out touring concerts, elegant ballets, opulent operas, tributes to the brightest stars, circus, illusion and cool, contemporary productions all enjoyed by thousands of theatregoers every week.
From the magnificent Tower and Empress Ballrooms to the imposing stage of the Opera House, from Matchams matchless Grand Theatre to the stunning purpose built ice arena, and from the relaxed atmosphere of cabaret bars to the much loved seaside tradition of Pier end Theatre; the history and individuality of each of Blackpool’s entertainment venues make a trip to see your favourite show or artiste an exciting and magical experience.
In the town centre Blackpool Tower and Circus, icon of England dominates the skyline, offering 518 feet of entertainment for the whole family. Jungle Jims, Towering Adventure land is the result of a £3million investment. Two huge Inca gods guard the gateway to the Lost City, which houses a variety of exciting tasks for children to complete in the hunt for buried treasure. The amazing play area complete with three giant ships that are available for party hire means that birthday boys and girls can treat their friends to a party like no other they will ever have experienced as they take over a ship with complete with themed characters . The circus arena, a theatre in the round with gold gilt ceilings and a seating capacity for up to 1400 guests.
Dancing in the Ballrooom Blackpool Tower
Home to the award winning Tower Circus, voted the UK’s best for 4 years running and it’s amazing water finale with over 40,000 gallons of water filling the arena every show. It is a truly breathtaking and unique venue.
Blackpool Tower Complex
Tower Ballroom
The original ballroom, the Tower Pavilion opened in August 1894. It was smaller than the present ballroom and occupied the front of the tower complex. The Tower Ballroom was built between 1897 and 1898 to the designs of Frank Matcham who also designed Blackpool Grand Theatre and it opened in 1899. It was commissioned by the Tower company in response to the opening of the Empress Ballroom in the Winter Gardens. The ballroom floor is 120ft x 120ft and is made up of 30,602 blocks of mahogany, oak and walnut. Above the stage is the inscription, “Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear” from the poem Venus and Adonis by William Shakespeare. Each crystal chandelier in the ballroom can be lowered to the floor to be cleaned which takes over a week.
From 1930 until his retirement in 1970 the resident organist was Reginald Dixon, known affectionately as “Mr. Blackpool”. The first Wurlitzer organ was installed in 1929, but it was replaced in 1935 by one designed by Reginald Dixon. The current resident organist is Phil Kelsall who has been playing the organ at the Tower since 1975 when he started in the circus.
The ballroom was damaged by fire in December 1956, and the dance floor was destroyed along with the restaurant underneath the ballroom. Restoration took two years and cost £500,000, with many of the former designers and builders coming out of retirement to assist, the restaurant then became the Tower Lounge.
The BBC series Come Dancing was televised from the Tower Ballroom for many years and it has also hosted shows from Strictly Come Dancing including the grand final of the second series on 11 December 2004.
The Blackpool Junior Dance Festival (“Open to the World”) has been held each year in the ballroom since 1964.
Dancing was not originally allowed on Sundays; instead, sacred music was played. The ballroom also originally had very strict rules including:
- “Gentlemen may not dance unless with a Lady” and
- “Disorderly conduct means immediate expulsion”.
The ballroom has had a number of resident dance bands including Bertini and his band, and Charlie Barlow. Other smaller dance bands have also appeared as residents including the Eric Delaney Band and the Mike James Band.
Under the management of Leisure Parcs,and the direction of bandleader Greg Francis, the Blackpool Tower Big Band was reformed in 2001 after an absence of 25 years. The New Squadronaires, The Memphis Belle Swing Orchestra and The Glenn Miller Tribute Orchestra also performed.[22] Themed nights were also introduced along with the sixteen piece orchestra, with resident singers, including Robert Young, Tony Benedict, Lynn Kennedy, and Mark Porter.In 2005 the Empress Orchestra became resident in the ballroom alongside the specially created and smaller Empress Dance Band.