Darwen Library Theatre
  Location within Blackburn with Darwen | |
| Location | Darwen, Lancashire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°41′48″N 2°27′58″W / 53.6968°N 2.4662°WCoordinates: 53°41′48″N 2°27′58″W / 53.6968°N 2.4662°W |
| Owner | Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council |
| Type | Theatre |
| Opened | 27 May 1908 |
| Website | |
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www | |
The Darwen Library Theatre is located in Darwen, near Blackburn, Lancashire, England. It is an extension to Darwen Library, hence the name.
From 1974 the Library Theatre was the home of the Darwen Library Players an amateur dramatic society of some local note. Having performed there for some 20 years producing many notable comedy's, serious dramas, farce and pantomimes the society had to find a new home when the theatre was taken over by Blackburn council in 1998. Many Notable characters and personalities from Darwen performed at the Theatre, Local and national artist James Lewis Reilly - Ron Coupe, John Rigby, June Slater, Jack Jones, Jack Platt, Susan Donnelly, and even the Local Traffic Warden (retired police officer) Robert Wallbank, appeared in a plethora of productions over 20 years. The quality of the production's was second to none, as good as many professional rep shows, the scenery and set design was all down to Jim Reilly, ably assisted by the cast - everyone became a dab hand and slapping on the Wallop. Sponsored by Crown Paints and the Darwen Arts Council.
The Theatre was also home to Darwen Arts Council, the Darwen photographic society and the Darwen Branch of the British Red Cross. A well used public community faculty. It is believed that the Library players are now defunct and no longer performing.
The theatre has hosted many local performances and some more famous performers, such as Frank Sidebottom, Journey South (The X Factor) and others. It is also the home of the QFX youth theatre group, who perform there occasionally.