Heritage Place Hidden Stories - The Empire Theatre, Cleethorpes
Hidden Place Hidden Stories. A Create NEL Grant, Thanks to National Lottery Players
A message from Samuel Pearson and Stuart Wood, Creative Leads of Empire 130
Empire 130 is the first project from Grim & Gleeful CIC. We are thrilled that it has been such a success. We are very proud to have worked with local singers, a local brass band, dancers, local print maker, and so many more creatives.
Community appeal for a theatre in our town is strong. We, like you, want a theatre where professionals and locals can train, work, and perform where we live. It's been a joy hearing fond memories of the theatre, but we realise that for many it was at such a young age, and so many of you want a theatre to return to the area.
We have loved bringing the spirit of The Empire to life both digitally, at events, and through our Model Toy Theatre.
COMING SOON: Full release of the Empire Film
Stories & Memories at Cleethorpes Town Hall | March 7th 2026
Members of the public enjoy recalling memories of the Empire Theatre at Cleethorpes Town Hall on March 7th, 2026.
Memories and Stories at People Make Grimsby / What if we create - Grimsby | 26th Feburary 2026
Collaborating with Unseen Arts, bACK TO bRASS, AND LUCY THE HUMBER PRINTMAKER
The 'Empire Girls' Troupe - Molly Wilkinson, Charlotte Brown, Bradley Eratt-Bryant, Louise Bacon, and Katie Hunt
THE ‘EMPIRE GIRLS’ TROUPE - CHOREOGRAPHY BY LYNSEY WELLS - "We’re really proud that Unseen Arts can support this project, to really look at the history and
heritage that we’ve got in North East Lincolnshire, and how we can bring that back to life. I think
it’s really nice to give the opportunity to some of our students at Unseen Arts, and to be able to
give them the opportunities to learn new dance styles and learn about the history and heritage
of North East Lincolnshire in the arts” - Lynsey Wells, Unseen Arts.
Empire 130 Print by the humber printmaker (Lucy Hanson)
'130 celebratory posters for the Empire, combining the traditional with the new!' - Lucy Hanson, the humber printmaker.
- For the Empire theatre building image I started with hand-drawn studies. Using an ink pen doesn't allow much room for error and is quite a painstaking task, a real labour of love!
- I have enjoyed combining different styles for my design, echoing the work of the original type-setters who would have used a variety of fonts, sizes and styles, out of necessity, to achieve the best fit.
Back to Brass
An 8 piece Brass Band who perform at local church concerts, summer fairs, and community festivals. All playing for enjoyment and donation to Cancer Research UK
"It was a real pleasure working again with local brass band Back To Brass, who brought their own seaside charm to the soundtrack." - Stuart Wood, Composer of The Empire Girls and Laughter & Love Songs
Cornets -
Ian Keightley, Gary Bridges
Flugelhorn -
Karl Hanson,
Tenor Horns -
Jenny Hallett, Becky Mills
Euphoniums -
David Kerry, Kev Macdonald
Bass -
Chris Gloyn
Heritage Open Days at Cleethorpes Town Hall
“Very informative - Happy memories. Thank you”
“Lets hope we can see The Empire as a venue in the future"
“A fab arcade but clearly full of even more interesting ghosts”
“We should be celebrating such ‘culture heritage in Cleethorpes!’ Fabulous!”
“Used to be a projectionist for shows at the Empire in my teens” - John Norris
“Had a brilliant time singing with the project - it looks awesome” - Laura
“Happy memories of the 50s watching shows. Mum worked there in 1947-50”
“A wonderful + vibrant example of storytelling at its best + shining a light on our local heritage! Well Done! (Hope it goes on tour!)”
