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Glasgow Empire Theatre (1897 - 1963)

 Organisation

Dates

  • Existence: 1897 - 31 March 1963
  • Usage: c1897 - 1910

Biography

The Glasgow Empire Theatre, also known as the Glasgow Palace Empire until the early 1900s opened in 1897. It was one of the leading theatres in the UK chain of theatres owned and developed by Moss Empires.

The Empire presented variety, revues, musicals and dance, winter circus, pantomimes and ice spectaculars especially those produced by Tom Arnold. The Glasgow Empire closed its doors on 31 March 1963 after sixty-six years in business. The site is now occupied by Empire House, an office and retail development.

Found in 10 Collections and/or Records:

Bertram Mills Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.488-548
Scope and Contents

Bertram Mills Circus programmes at Olympia and travelling shows.

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Chipperfield Circus Programmes, c1900 - 1999

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178K43.230-280
Scope and Contents

Chipperfield Circus programmes including Chipperfield Brothers Circus and Sally Chipperfield Circus

Dates: c1900 - 1999

Circus Friends Association Collection

 Fonds
Reference code: NFA0122
Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a large library of books and journals, as well as archival material including posters, programmes, photographs, films, handbills, research material, scrapbooks, original artwork and many other items of ephemera relating to British, Irish and European circuses

Dates: 1795 - 2020

Glasgow Empire Poster, 20 June 1938

 Item
Reference code: 178R38.8
Scope and Contents

Tom Arnold Ltd. Presents Revelry on the Ice, musical show with Melitta Brunner skating , Kurt Schier free skating, Ken Kennedy barrel jumping, Al Gordon comedy on ice, Schima thrills on stilts, Eileen & Ernest Hartung ice skating, Olive & Joyce Goater the ice skating twins, Handby Celeine Tio, Chevalier Brothers, entertainers, Calores Sisters music making maids, Sidney Marion & Madelyne Killeen, American comedy act. Red and black type on white background.

Dates: 20 June 1938

Glasgow Empire Programme, Commencing Monday 1 January 1940

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.517
Scope and Contents

Glasgow Empire. Colour illustration of bunch of flowers in wrapping with performers on the flowers on an off white background on front cover, inside programme and commercial advertising on back cover. Printed by John Waddington Ltd, Leeds and London, 2p.p.

Dates: Commencing Monday 1 January 1940

Glasgow Empire Programme, Week commencing Monday 16 December 1946

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.260
Scope and Contents

Blue and orange illustration of three female performers peeping behind a blue screen and a man in checked jacket and trousers performing on stage on the front cover, inside commercial advertising and programme in the centre, 4p.p

Dates: Week commencing Monday 16 December 1946

Glasgow Empire Programme, Week commencing Monday 3 November 1947

 Item
Reference code: 178K43.261
Scope and Contents

Red, grey and white illlustration of woman's face behind of a hand fan on the front cover, inside commercial advertising and programme in the centre, 4p.p

Dates: Week commencing Monday 3 November 1947

Handby Celeine Collection

 Collection
Reference code: NFA0107
Scope and Contents

Posters, photographs, programmes, 1 piece of sheet music for six instruments and a small amount of business records and correspondence relating to the dancing and burlesque comedy on skates.

Dates: c1920 - 1945; 2020

Posters, c1920 - 1939

 Series
Reference code: 178R38
Scope and Contents

British theatre posters presenting Handby Celeine acts among others.

Dates: c1920 - 1939

Programmes, c1800 - 2019

 Series
Reference code: 178K43
Scope and Contents

A collection of mainly British and international circus programmes and some variety and music hall programmes containing circus acts.

Dates: c1800 - 2019