GLOBE Columnist Peter Grant joins the red carpet for the Liverpool Empire Theatre's 150th birthday celebration.

The Liverpool venue is steeped in history.

From Laurel and Hardy to Harry Houdini, Frank Sinatra to the Beatles, Morecambe and Wise to Eddie Izzard, Elton John and Paul McCartney and Wings to David Bowie, Birkenhead Operatic Society to Welsh National Opera.

Genesis to Cliff Richard.

Our very own Orchestral Manoeuveres in the Dark and Paul O'Grady.

American mega star visitors have included The Jacklson Five, Marvin Gaye, Neil Sedaka, The Carpenters, Bob Dylan and The Osmonds.

The A-list of world class acts is endless.

The Empire has hosted the greatest names in entertainment for a century and a half.

All have made their mark in this grand old lady of the theatre world and its 2,300 seats.

The Theatre, run by the Ambassdor Group, has its iconic place in Merseyside culture.

To mark the celebration a black-tie evening took place with a performance of Willy Russell's smash-hit musical Blood Brothers in the presence of HRH the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.

And the Globe was there, along with special guests - many of whom have played the very hallowed boards.

Performers Pauline Daniels and Les Dennis shared anecdotes with Ken Dodd, Billy Butler and Pete Price.

Empire Trust Chairman Terry Smith, who took over from the late Sir Phillp Carter, was delighted with the response from the audience with legendary footballers Peter Reid, Ian St John, Roger Hunt and former reds manager Roy Evans.

Producer Bll Elms, whose theatre career spans 25 years, said: "What other city could host an event like this.

"Liverpool really is unique - at the heart of the arts and culture.

"It is a prilege to be here in such company."

Film producer Colin McKeown, sporting his MBE on his label, said it was a great way to toast the world-famous Empire.

And Les Dennis told the Globe: ''What a magical birthday party.

"It is an honour to be here. The Enpire has so much to be proud of."

Billy Butller told the Globe: ''I loved it when the audience in the stalls, who were not part of the VIP celebratory guests suddenly started chanting 'Eddie, Eddie, Eddie' when the clearly happy Prince took his seat in the circle.

"It couldn't happen in Liverpool.

"And what a great home-grown show to see in Blood Brothers.

"The finale still makes me cry after eight times seeing it.

"It is without doubt the best finale to a show I will ever see.''

The Blood Brothers performance - part of a sell out two week run - was opened with a nostlagic curtain-raiser from Bill Kenwright who has brought so many theatrical hits to the Empire.

Bill has consistently brought the West End to Liverpool with a star-studded, sparkling huge-catalogue of shows from Jospeh and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to Scrooge starring Tommy Steele.

He recalled: "I saw the best ever oncert at the Empre starring Duanne Eddy and a host of huge stars. I also saw Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger here.''

Bill presented the cast including Lynn Paul to Prince Edward.

They posed for a special photograph of this unforgettable day...

This was truly a champagne celebration of a theatre that will run and run.

Review: 150 Stars.

Happy Birthday - Empire Theatre.

BRAVO!