Argyle Theatre of Varieties (c1868 - 1945)
Organisation
Dates
- Existence: c1868 - 1945
Biography
The Argyle Music Hall in Birkenhead was opened in 1868 and staged many variety acts of the day.
The name was changed to The Prince Of Wales Theatre from 1876 to 1890, and was used mainly to stage plays. In 1890, the focus returned to music hall and variety and the theatre was renamed the Argyle Theatre.
Manager Denis J. Clarke ran the Argyle Theatre for 45 years from 1890 to 1935 developing the theatre to make it became one of the most well known theatres in the country playing host to many variety acts of the day.
As well as music hall and variety, the Argyle Theatre often had early film and also was the first theatre to have radio broadcasts.
During the Second World War, the theatre was bombed, taking a direct hit. It was never rebuilt.
Found in 358 Collections and/or Records:
Argyle Theatre Collection
Fonds
Reference code: NFA0117
Scope and Contents
This collection contains a large number of posters as well as business records including records of artist bookings, accounts, scrapbooks, contracts and correspondence.
Dates:
1865 - 1941
Found in:
National Fairground and Circus Archive
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 October 1896
Item
Reference code: 178R12.108
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Prof. Duncan’s Marvellous Collie Dogs Exhibition of Animal Training, Mr Wilkie Bard Comedian and Delineator of Coster Songs, Nellie Straton Serio Comic Vocalist, Miss Lily Marney Irish Comedienne, Jesse Burton Baritone Vocalist, Mr Charles Raymond Comedian and One-Legged Dancer, Little Daisy Bard Child Vocalist and Actress, The Wal Pink Comedy Company in 'Leg Bail'. Monday next, The 8 Welshmen, Miss Lizzie Howard. Printed by S. Griffith and Co,...
Dates:
19 October 1896
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 November 1896
Item
Reference code: 178R12.109
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Pat Rafferty Irish Comedian, The Vitagraph: Living Pictures! Animated Photographs! To enable the Proprietors (Messrs. Chard and Co.) to give them a complete and perfect Exhibition of the Vitagraph, the same as produced by them in London, the Management have made special arrangements for the introduction of the Electric Light, Sarina The White Demon and Contortionist, Lillian Bishop Male Impersonator and Burlesque Actress, Quinton Gibson Female...
Dates:
9 November 1896
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 May 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.110
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Farrell and Wilmott Irish Comedians, Mr J.P. Dane Comedian and Dancer, Miss Cora Duncan Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Dancer, Ernest Heathcote Eccentric Comedian and Acrobatic Dancer, Little May Beryl Child Contralto and Clever Dancer, Percy Cahill Character and escriptive Vocalist, Polly Plunkett Serio Comedienne and Dancer, Hartley Milburns’s Rosebuds Lady Dancers, Whit Week! Arthur Rigby, May Evans, Nellie Christie, Paul Langtry. Printed by S....
Dates:
31 May 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 June 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.111
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Jenny Valmore Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Little Tim Quaint Comedian, Sisters Wright Characteristic Duettists and Expert Dancers, De Cone The World’s Wizard, Sandy and Carl Knockabout Comedians and Dancers, George Willrod Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Eva Maynard Serio Comedienne and Dancer, Lieut. Walter Cole Ventriloquist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.
Dates:
14 June 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 5 July 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.112
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Leila Roze Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Brandon and Bishop Descriptive Character Duettists, The Sisters Terry Duettists, Vocalists and Dancers, Jennie Gabrielle Child Pianist and Vocalist, Blindfold Performance, Phil Weston Character Vocalist, Miss Blanche Gerard Versatile and Burlesque Actress, Vocalist and Dancer, Morney Cash Character and Eccentric Comedian, Edwin Boyde Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers,...
Dates:
5 July 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 16 August 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.113
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Will. H. Fox in his Burlesque Entitled 'Paddywhiski!', Flo Varley Burlesque Actress and Comedian, Francis and Melli Continental Musical Eccentrics, Lottie Walton Comedienne, Irving and Rousby’s Electrical Demonstrations!, Ethel Dove Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Kimberley Boys! Eccentric Comedians and Dancers, Geo. Watson Character and Descriptive Vocalist, Edwin Barwick Mimic. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue...
Dates:
16 August 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 August 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.114
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Fratrelli Riccobono’s Horses, Leonard Barry Comic Singer, Musical Dale Campanologist and Concertina Soloist, Marie Le Blanc Character Comedienne and Descriptive Vocalist, Olympian Quintette in their Plantation sketch 'Good Old Georgia', J.P Adderley Contralto Vocalist, Florrie Wood Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Cornish, Hardy, Sampson and Bros. Slocum in Glees and Plantation Songs, Mr G.W. Hunter Mark Twain of the Music Halls. Printed by S....
Dates:
30 August 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 6 September 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.115
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Don Juan Caicedo Colombian Marvel and King of the Wire, George Spry and Florrie Austin Comedy Act, J.W.Hall Yorkshire Comic, Kavados Expert Juggler and Cannon Ball Manipulator, Rosie Coleman Serio Comic Vocalist and Expert Dancer, Sisters Poole Speciality Artistes, Vocalists and Dancers, Flo Melville Serio Comedian and Dancer, Corty Brothers horizontal Bar Performers and Burlesque Wrestlers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and...
Dates:
6 September 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 October 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.116
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Gregory Troupe Spanish Speciality Artistes, Charles Seel The Droll, Maude Ross Comedienne, Guitar Soloist and Tap Boot Dancer, Rezene and Robini Trapeze Comedians, Maude Needham Serio and Balled Vocalist, Will Mitcham Vocal and Musical Speciality Artiste, Maude Maxam Serio Comedienne and Descriptive Vocalist, Nat Clifford Grotesque Comedian, Kate Harvey Serio Comic. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Dates:
11 October 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 1 November 1897
Item
Reference code: 178R12.117
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Professor Duncan’s Wonderful Collie Dogs, J.H. Hurst Comedian and Descriptive Vocalist, The Brothers Edgar Comedians, Vocalists and Dancers, 7 Savonas Musical Marvels, Miss Amy Lyster Serio Comedienne and Characteristic Vocalist, Ethel Wood Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Mr George Fairburn in "Parliamentary Personages", Erny Leader Eccentric Comedian, The Seven Marvellous Elliotts Cyclists, Musicians, Jugglers, Monocyclists, Unicycle and Roller...
Dates:
1 November 1897
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 January 1898
Item
Reference code: 178R12.118
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Werner and Reider Tyrolean Duettists, Lottie Lennox Comedienne, Miss F. Spry and Mr B. Monti Comedy Act, Violet Wilton Serio Comic Vocalist and Top-Boot Dancer, Little Chinko Boy Juggler, Lottie Holland Serio Comedienne and Skipping Rope Dancer, Frank Coyle Character Comedian, Leslie Clare Character Actor Vocalist, James Capelli Electro-Musical Phantast. Monday Next, The Collibris Midgets. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and...
Dates:
3 January 1898
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 August 1898
Item
Reference code: 178R12.119
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Sampson the Strongest Man on Earth Challenges the World to Find His Equal Supported by a Gigantic Star Company. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.
Dates:
29 August 1898
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 January 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.120
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Three Delevines and Sisters Winterton, Pantomime, Musical and Legmania Exponents in a Comic Speciality, Nellie Oldene Descriptive Vocalist, Hartz in "A Devil of a Hat", Violet Wilton Serio Comedienne and Dancer, Frank Coyle The Rattler, Carrie Heaton Comedienne, Alf Gibson Character Comedian, The Edison Thomas Animated Photos War Pictures, The Karno Trio Pantomimists and Champion Ball Pubchers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool....
Dates:
15 January 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 January 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.121
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Garrisons Burlesque Artiste, Four M.P.’s Musical Palmers, The Kronemans Comedy Acrobats and Hand Balancers, Madden Wood Knockabout Comedians, Evelyn Taylor Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Daisy Palmer Comedienne, Vocalist and Dancer, The Edison Thomas Animated Photos Interesting and Military Pictures, The Donato One-Legged Grotesque and Cosmopolitan Athletic Clowns. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow type.
Dates:
29 January 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 February 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.122
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead . The McConnell Family, The Two Neros in "Antics in a Public Bar", Edith St. Clair Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Lancashire Quartette Lady Vocalists and Dancers, Mark Haldane Character Comedy, Eily Adair Serio Comic Vocalist and Top-boot Dancer, The Edison Thomas Animated Photos interesting and Military Pictures, Alice Palmer Comedienne and Speciality Danseuse, The Three Albions Comedy Musical Act. Monday Next, John Lawson’s Sensational...
Dates:
15 February 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 February 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.123
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Gotham Quartette American Comedy and Singing Troupe, Lily Lever Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, The Brothers Lang Knockabout Comedy, Wattie Allen Character Comedian and Dancer, J.W. Rickaby Comedian, Dot McCarthy Serio Comedienne and Dancer, The Edison Thomas Animated Photos military pictures, Lanzetta Continental Speciality Artiste. Monday next, Lillie Belmore lady Tom in 'The Runaway', Florador Quartette, Two Bostons, Tom Lloyd, etc. Printed by...
Dates:
19 February 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 April 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.124
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Marvellous Elliotts Cyclists, The Seven Savonas Gigantic Fairyland of Electric Lights, Musical Act, Peggy Pryde Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Frank Seeley Comedian, Professor Hulbert Ventriloquist, Mad’lle De Lil Illusionist, Marguerite and May Duettists and Dancers, Senorita Eloina Gymnast, Royal Bioscope with the Latest Animated Pictures Of the War In South Africa. Monday next, Nellie Christie, Marie French, Chas Pastor etc. Printed by S....
Dates:
30 April 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 May 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.125
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Marvellous Elliotts Cyclists, The Seven Savonas Gigantic Fairyland of Electric Lights, Musical act, Marie French Burlesque Actress, Charles Pastor The Laughing Philosopher, Regan and Ryan Knockabout Comedy Exponent, Robb Gillmore Comic Posturer, Senorita Eloina Clever Gymnast, Jas. Grant The Character Comedian, Royal Bioscope Animated War Pictures, Nellie Christie 'delineator of Coon Songs', 'W.F.Frame is Coming'. Printed by S. Griffith and Co,...
Dates:
7 May 1900
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 May 1900
Item
Reference code: 178R12.126
Scope and Contents
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Will H. Fox Comedian in Famous Paderewski Burlesque Paddywhiski", Lily Marney Vocalist, Eno Mimic, Harry Rose Character Comedian, Clarence and Bell Knockabout Comedy Team, Kitty Raybourn Serio Comedian and Dancer, The American Bioscope Will Show Views of the Queen’s Visit To, Dublin and the Latest War Pictures, Jesse Burton Baritone and Descriptive Vocalist, Alaska and Olrac Knockabout Horizontal Bar Experts. Monday Next, WF Frame. Printed by S....
Dates:
14 May 1900
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 353
- Collection 2
- Digital Record 3
- Subject
- Acrobats 63
- Aerialists 4
- Animal trainers 7
- Animals 41
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3
- Boxing 16
- Business 13
- Circus 12
- Clowning 14
- Comedians 322
- Contortionists 5
- Dance 245
- Dwarfs (Persons) 5
- Equestrians 1
- Fakirs 1
- Family 1
- Female impersonators 8
- Fire eating 2
- Freak shows 1
- Gymnasts 13
- Jugglers 36
- Magic 35
- Male impersonators 18
- Menageries 1
- Mimes 1
- Minstrel shows 10
- Motion pictures 185
- Music 1
- Music-halls 347
- Musical performances 114
- Musicians 68
- Optical illusions 1
- Pantomime 42
- Performers 351
- Pierrot 2
- Puppets 7
- Shooting 4
- Showman 1
- Showwoman 1
- Sideshows 4
- Singing 272
- Skating 7
- South African War, 1899-1902 9
- Strong men 5
- Stunt performers 1
- Tableaux vivants 3
- Thin people 3
- Travel 1
- Ventriloquists 20
- War 35
- Wild west 2
- World War, 1914-1918 22
- World War, 1939-1945 1
- Wrestling 8
- Zoos 1 + ∧ less
∨ more