Blackburn families can follow a time-travel tale on stage
Westholme School students will perform Blackburn author Christina Gabbitas’s Believe in Magic at King George’s Hall on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 6pm. The family-friendly theatre performance follows two young characters on an adventure through the town’s past. The source does not state a ticket price; booking information is available through the King George’s Hall event listing.
Peggy and Imtiaz travel through Blackburn’s past
In the story, Peggy and Imtiaz discover a secret passage at Blackburn Museum and are transported to the 1800s. Their journey takes in local landmarks including King George’s Hall, Blackburn Cathedral and the Fire Station Tower, placing recognisable parts of the town within a historical adventure.
The story was commissioned by Blackburn BID and inspired by entrepreneur and philanthropist Edward Hart, as well as Blackburn’s history. The stage adaptation brings those places and themes to a family audience through a production performed by Westholme School students. For children attending, the story offers a way into local history through characters, theatre and familiar landmarks; Councillor Phil Riley also described it as appealing to visual learners and involving children in theatre.
A story shaped by its author’s Blackburn childhood
Gabbitas has spoken about how visits to Blackburn Library helped her become a writer after she struggled with reading and confidence as a child. She described seeing her story performed at King George’s Hall, a place she loved visiting, as an “incredible honour”. Her account connects the production’s local setting with a personal link to the town’s library and its role in her early life.
Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said Gabbitas wanted to encourage children’s interest in books while teaching them about Blackburn and its history. Cath Roberts, Westholme School’s director of drama, said the students were proud to bring the story to life and celebrate the town through their creativity.
When and how to book
The performance is on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, at 6pm at King George’s Hall in Blackburn. It is described as family-friendly, making it an event for families interested in a theatre story rooted in the town. The source provides no ticket price, venue address, transport or accessibility details, so check the event listing for booking information and any practical updates before attending.
Source: Blackburn with Darwen Council News
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- 2026-10-13 11:07
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