It is said that history repeats itself - something that seems to ring true with theĀ Empire Theatre, Halstead. The re-opening of the theatre on 27th November 1978 by the Empire Theatre Trust was something unique - the actual physical business of re-opening was by popular demand - "a repeat performance" - because this was not the first time the Empire had been revived as a place of entertainment, although hopefully it would be the last as it became an important part of life in the town.