<p><b>Welcome to The Empire Theatre</b><br><br><b>1922. </b>When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters - both on stage and behind the scenes.<br><br>There's stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there's cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would<i> never</i> go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?<br><br>When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire's future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it's too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?<br><br><b>Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings </b><b>his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to </b><b>this, his debut novel.</b><br><br><b>Enjoy the show!<br><br>Look out for the next Empire Theatre novel, A BACKSTAGE BETRAYAL. Pre-order now. <br><br></b><b><u>Real readers love <i>The Empire</i></u></b><br><br><br>'A charming, captivating, majestic, electrifying, exciting and <b>dazzling masterpiece</b>' <br><br>'This book was <b>perfect</b>' <br><br>'<i>The Empire </i>is <b>fantastic read</b>, and one of my favourites of this year!' <br><br>'A real <b>razzmatazz</b> of a read' <br><br>'What a wonderful book, as <b>full of warmth and wit</b> as Michael himself . . . absolute magic!'<br><br> <i>The Empire was a Sunday Times No. 3 bestseller for w/c 24/10/2022'</i></p>