THEATRE bosses have extended the closure of their venue after a ceiling collapsed to ensure the stage and auditorium are safe in the future.

Chairman Michael Berry revealed the Thwaites Empire Theatre will remain shut for up to four weeks rather than original estimate of two while specialist engineers carry out a full structural survey and repairs.

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He was responding to concerns from the organisers of a children's stage school whose pupils were rehearsing in the Aqueduct Road venue in Ewood when the collapse happened on April 3.

Emma Matthews, who runs Bolton and Bury based Theatre Works with fellow professional actress Lauren Bateman, had dozens of youngsters and adult helpers in the wings and auditorium preparing for their show 'A Night At The Musicals' when the incident took place.

She said: "We were conducting our dress and technical rehearsal in the afternoon before the evening show.

"We had all the children sat in the auditorium watching and we were in the wings with approximately eight children waiting to go on.

"There was an almighty rumbling sound.

"We froze at first as we didn't know which way to run.

"There was lots of dust and debris falling onto the stage and visibility was impaired due to the black cloud of dust.

"Everyone was terrified and didn't know what was happening.

"Nobody was hurt thankfully.

"There were lots of tears and terrified children.

"We still haven't gotten to the bottom of what happened."

Mr Berry apologised for any upset and stressed safety was the theatre's top priority.

He said Blackburn with Darwen Council safety officers and specialist engineers were called in immediately, assessing the building the day after.

Mr Berry said: "It must have been very frightening for those youngsters who were in the theatre at the time and we are just grateful that no-one was hurt.

"Everyone at the theatre is very sorry, the youngsters who had worked so hard, were unable to perform.

"We had no choice but to close the theatre immediately.

"There was quite a lot of dust when the plaster board fell into the lighting rigging.

"But this was a one-off incident which could not have been predicted.

"Safety is our number one priority for both our audiences and also for all the performers and staff.

"The theatre will now be closed for at least three weeks to allow a full structural survey of the whole auditorium to be carried out.

"We will be bringing in scaffolding to allow an engineer to access the entire ceiling and will not open again until we have a total clean bill of health."

Theatre Works are currently looking or an alternative venue for their show.