Big names on Darwen theatre's tiny stage

But two Darwen dreamers are quickly discovering that the reality can be achieved, with forward planning, good contacts and, of course, a touch of stage magic.

Simon O'Hara and Steve Burch started working together at the Darwen Library Theatre last year and since then the dynamic theatre has attracted more audiences, achieved more sell-outs, and has booked more big name acts than ever before.

"I never thought we'd be this busy", said Simon, who has worked operations manager at the theatre for two years.

The theatre currently has a mailing list of 2,500 people across the borough and has staged no fewer than ten sell-outs this season alone.

Big names such as glamorous TV star Honor Blackman, Dr Hook's Dennis Locorriere, comedian Jim Bowen and psychic James Byrne are the latest to add their names to the Darwen theatre's schedule.

Just ten years ago, it was unthinkable that these acts would come to the town, as the Darwen Arts Council was scrapped in May 1992. The arts council, which was responsible for bringing acts to the library, failed in its mission and "dwindling audiences and a lack of commitment" was cited as the reason for the end at the organisation's final meeting.

The theatre, situated in the Knott Street library, was closed in 1997 to prepare for the emergence of a separate theatre, the Darwen Library Theatre, which was still connected to the library.

A Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council competition offered Darreners the choice of a name. Suggestions varied from The River Theatre to The Darwen Millennium Theatre, but most opted for the simple, sensible option.

Today the managing duo say one of the most important aspects of the job is getting rid of the stigma of theatre.

Simon said: "One of the best things about the theatre is that it's very cosy and intimate, but there's still enough room and leg space for people to be comfortable.

"You can sit at the back of the theatre and still see the people on the stage and you can see their facial expressions.

"That's what the audience likes.

"A lot of people don't realise we're here, but when they come here for the first time they really enjoy it.

"It's a very friendly place and I think people can sense that.

"A big thing about theatre is that there's a lot of stigma attached -- that you have to be posh and drive a BMW to come here. But that's simply not the case. We want everyone to come and we want to cater for all tastes.

"There's a lot of pride in Darwen and I think another reason we are doing so well is that Darreners are proud to call it their own. They want to hold on to what they've got, especially since we became Blackburn with Darwen."

The library was given a £150,000 facelift in 1999, thanks to a council grant, which created 200 new seats in the theatre, a bar, state-of-the-art equipment and improved access for disabled people.

During this period the theatre fell was taken over by Blackburn with Darwen Council, moving away from county council ownership.

An earlier grant for £628,400 from the English Arts Council was withdrawn after the two councils failed to meet their deadlines for the project -- but Blackburn with Darwen took over the building in April 1998 and pledged to get the facelift back on track with the second grant.

Simon, of Essex Street, has lived in Darwen since he was two years old and says he has tapped into the sense of community and local pride.

He said: "We try to have a good mixture of acts, like the big names which will always be popular, but also local people. We have the Houghton Weavers, from Bolton, and the Darwen Library Players and a new Darwen musical company, Pepperpot Hill, who sold out on their first show, Calamity Jane.

"That was a great result and they did so well, bringing around 800 people in for the three nights they performed."

A waiting list of 100 people has brought Jim Bowen back for a second show on March 8 and Simon has nothing but optimism for the years ahead.

He said: "We are updating our sound system at the moment and we want to keep up with the latest developments in lighting, so we'll be looking into that somewhere down the line.

Events are becoming so popular that the 214-seater theatre may be forced to hold performances on four nights a week, instead of three.

But the success doesn't come without it's drawbacks.

He said: "I have a ten-month-old baby at home and sometimes I'm only there for a few hours a day.

"It's really hard because, with there being only two of us running the theatre, we work pretty much seven days a week."

Jack Fisher, of the Darwen Civic Society, said: "I was very pleased to see the restoration of the library theatre in 2000 and we given them with a Civic Pride award for what they had done.

"I'm happy that it's so well supported by the people of Darwen and I think more things like this should be encouraged.

"At a time when so many theatres are struggling it's good to know that our's is on the rise.

"It has come a long way from what used to be an all-purpose building and has turned into a specialised theatre. I'm really glad we have it."

Geoff Tolley, Darwen Rotary Club chairman, said: "It was just a hall with a stage before it was altered and I think it's a very good asset to Darwen.

"We have had three film shows of Darwen there and we have booked another one in September because it's so popular.

"It's a fantastic venue and I think the staff add to that. They are very helpful."

Darwen MP Janet Anderson remembered a visit to the library theatre in 1987.

She said: "It's one of the first things Blackburn with Darwen did when it became a unitary authority and now it's a marvellous facility.

"We held a rally there back in the 1980s with Jack Straw and Barbara Castle and what we have now is a real state-of-the-art facility that Darreners can be proud of.

"That it can attract names like Honor Blackman to the area speaks for itself."