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Mike Berry

‘Lovely community inspired evening’ in memory of Mike Berry 150 150 mhamer

‘Lovely community inspired evening’ in memory of Mike Berry

Lovely community inspired evening in memorial tribute to the wonderful Michael Berry who with family and friends restored and rebuilt the @EmpireTheatreBB

The tribute show to a theatre stalwart was a “lovely community” event, according to famous comedian Jimmy Cricket.

The Northern Irish entertainer was among a host of performers at the Blackburn event which fondly remembered the late Michael Berry.

Mike, dubbed Mr Sunshine, had helped to restore the Blackburn Empire Theatre to its former glory over many years.

He was known as the “driving force” behind the venue’s successful revival.

Jimmy posted on social media after the show: “Lovely community inspired evening in memorial tribute to the wonderful Michael Berry who with family and friends restored and rebuilt the @EmpireTheatreBB.”

Mike died in February aged 80 after a brave battle against illness.

The Empire’s website says: “Michael was a big driving force in the fundraising efforts that helped to restore the Empire Theatre to its former glory.

Future generations

“Even though he is no longer with us, we are continuing to raise funds in his honour.

“Donations in Michael’s memory funded the full refurbishment of the stalls bar.

“We hope that this concert will help us to refurbish the balcony bar as well.”

Also read on this website: Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer. He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre!

Celebrating Mr Sunshine – show remembers Mike Berry 150 150 mhamer

Celebrating Mr Sunshine – show remembers Mike Berry

A show paying tribute to Mr Sunshine, the late Mike Berry, takes place on Saturday (28 October) at the theatre he helped to restore to its former glory.

A show paying tribute to Mr Sunshine, the late Mike Berry, takes place on Saturday (28 October) at the theatre he helped restore to its former glory.

Mike was the “driving force” behind Blackburn Empire Theatre.

He died in February this year aged 80 after a brave battle against illness.

The Empire’s website says: “On February 5th, 2023, the Empire Theatre lost its chairman and best friend, Michael Berry.

“Michael was loved by many and we invite you to join us in an evening to celebrate his life and legacy.

“The show will feature performances from people and groups who Michael both supported and performed with.

“Tickets are ‘Pay What You Want’ with all donations going to help fund the ongoing renovation work at the theatre.”

The suggested ticket price is £10 for the show which starts at 7.30pm.

It continues: “Michael was a big driving force in the fundraising efforts that helped to restore the Empire Theatre to its former glory.

Future generations

“Even though he is no longer with us, we are continuing to raise funds in his honour.

“Donations in Michael’s memory funded the full refurbishment of the stalls bar.

“We hope that this concert will help us to refurbish the balcony bar as well.

“We hope to see you there to celebrate the life of Michael Berry and to help us keep the Empire Theatre alive for future generations.”

Comedian Jimmy Cricket, a good friend of Mike’s, will be among the performers on the night.

Book your tickets here.

Also read on this website: Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer. He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre!

Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’ 150 150 mhamer

Mike Berry ‘was the heart of Blackburn Empire Theatre’

So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer. He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre!

Jimmy Cricket led the tributes to the late Mike Berry, described as the driving force behind Blackburn Empire Theatre.

Mike, the theatre chairman, died last week aged 80.

Comedian Jimmy said on social media: “So sad to hear of the passing of my wonderful friend (to so many artists), Mike Berry, who was the heart @EmpireTheatreBB and was also director/performer.

“He will be missed by his lovely wife Linda and family members alongside his many friends and everyone who loves live theatre.”

Blackburn Empire Theatre posted that it mourned the loss of its “greatest Champion, Campaigner, Chairman and Friend”.

An article on the Lancashire Telegraph website reported that Mike was the “driving force behind the theatre”.

It said he had raised more than £1million in a 25-year association with the venue as it became East Lancashire’s busiest community theatre.

Mike Berry had built up his own company, Top Team Manufacturing, into a very successful business.

Read more about Mike here from the Lancashire Telegraph.

Amazing achievement

The theatre’s website said: “It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our Theatre Chairman, Michael Berry.

“Michael passed away peacefully on Sunday 5 February 2023 after bravely battling illness for the last few weeks.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Linda, two daughters, Justine and Joanna, and six grandchildren and so many close family members at this very difficult time.

“For his whole family, that he loved so deeply, it is such a great loss and words cannot express how much he will be missed.

“Michael was the heart and soul of Blackburn Empire Theatre, having been one of the primary forces behind raising funds to reopen the theatre for the people of Blackburn.

“The Theatre was a dream 20 years in the making and this year we will reach our 21st anniversary since we reopened to the public.

“An amazing achievement.

“His enthusiasm for the theatre was addictive and everyone who was lucky enough to know him, knew the deep passion he had for our theatre.

“He was a people person and welcomed everyone to the theatre with open arms.”

Also read on this website: Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS 150 150 mhamer

Jimmy Cricket answers Blackburn theatre’s SOS

Jimmy Cricket performing at the Thwaites Empire Theatre in Blackburn

Jimmy Cricket came to the rescue of a theatre in Blackburn after its ceiling collapsed!

The Thwaites Empire Theatre was forced to cancel all shows for a couple of weeks when plasterboard fell into the lighting rigging over the stage.

It is a venue where comic Jimmy, 70, has appeared on several occasions in the past. It has even premièred two of the three musicals he has written over the years, entitled Let’s hear it for the wee man and Maloney’s Big Moment.

Jimmy Cricket with musical director Mike Berry

So when the director, Mike Berry, sent Jimmy an SOS to see if he would help the theatre to get back on its feet after the accident, the Northern Irish entertainer jumped at the chance.

He appeared in what was dubbed ‘restoration fortnight’ where the theatre continued to keep closed its main auditorium for repair works to be completed to the ceiling, but set up a small performance area in the main bar and foyer area.

This meant it could still present shows and continue to function, even though it had to postpone all those scheduled to appear on the main stage.

Jimmy kicked off this fortnight with a bit of stand-up (pictured top), before participating in a question-and-answer session with the audience under the stewardship of Mike Berry (seen with the comedian above right).

At the end of the night, Jimmy was asked by Mike to become an honorary patron of the theatre, which he was pleased to accept!