After the opening of the Empire here's what the Burnley Express said the day after:
'The Empire theatre of Varieties, Burnley, was opened under very successful auspices on Monday evening, there being a full house and judging from the continuous roars of laughter and the heartiness of the applause the large audience were highly delighted with the bill of fare provided for their amusement by Mr. Horner.
Quite a galaxy of talent has been secured for the week and the programme is both a lengthy and varied ones, indeed those who would grumble at the entertainment provided would be very hard to please.
The inaugural ceremony was of the simplest possible description, the orchestra playing the National Anthem, the occupants of the seats on the floor upstanding with uncovered heads the while, the audience signalising the raising of the curtain with an outburst of applause. In it’s way, Monday evening’s performance was a notable one, mostly because it marked a new epoch in the musical annals of the town which has long felt the want of a place of amusement of this description.
Miss Nellie Lovell had the honour of singing the first song in the new music hall, and she was very well received in her male impersonations..... The last item on the extensive programme was the gymnastic and aerial exploits of Gertrella, which were very gracefully performed.'
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