A short extract: "The Empire certainly had its ups and downs over the years, but one night during a pantomime season held the record. During the evening - The chief electrician fell ten feet to the stage from his lighting platform and was knocked unconscious. He recovered at home.One of the slapstick funnymen was rushed to Bristol Royal Infimary with a suspected duodenal ulcer, necessitating a change of comedian. (his partner in the meantime got engaged to a girl in the show's chorus).Pantomime character "Slim" was hit between the eyes with a dummy hammer thrown during a slapstick act.In the box office a cashier collapsed while stooping to pick up a ticket. She was taken to hospital with a back injury.Shortly before the theatre closed for the night, the doorman had to rush home with a bad attack of 'flu . . . . but as usual, The Show Went On"

Summary: Many eccentric and weird acts are described in our latest book, which traces the colourful ups and downs of a typical Variety Theatre in a big city. Preceding the Bristol Hippodrome by nearly 20 years, The Empire provided its largely working-class audience with untold comfort and luxury.

"Full of history, full of entertainment, full of nostalgia, and full of love, thanks to this not-to-be missed book, this treasured theatre will now not be forgotten" (Encore)
"It was marvellous to see how much work has been put into getting this book together. Thank goodness some people are prepared to do it . . . " (Ken Dodd)