Argyle Theatre of Varieties (c1868 - 1945)
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 of Varieties Poster, 8 August 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. St. Juste and Higgins the King’s Jesters, Jocular Jock McKay humourist, Elida Morris in Song Stories, Kit O’More Comedy, Val Vett Ragtime, Rag Picking, Rag Painter, Arthur Lewis, Dancing Entertainer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Corn and Neil Comedy Acrobats. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, and blue type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 September 1931
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Edwin Styles comedian, Eric Randolph actor vocalist, Sandrisi Copelli acrobatic character and eccentric dancers, The Musical Sylvesters, The Tudors Juggling, Balancing, Trick Jumping and Tumbling act, Verme and Anna Piano Accordionists, Pathe’s News, Sydney Fuller and best Friend in comedy 'A La Mode'. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red and black type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 September 1930
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Benedetti Bros. comedians and Violinists, Bob and Alf Pearson harmony act, The Four Sisters Lund acrobatic and whirlwind Dancing Speciality, Du Marte and Denzer Twins in Action, Harry Coady Comedy, Music, Song and Dance, Eddie Lerone and Bessie Bendon Comedy Act, Teresa Russell Singer, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Norman Carroll comedian and Monologuist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue, and yellow print.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 March 1936
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Afrique Impersonator of famous celebrities, Jeanette Adie The Ideal Male, Four Roadsters introducing Britain’s Greatest Street Singer, Adrienne and Austin Dancing, Gallagher and Spree American Comedy Duo, Frank Groves, The Argyle Orchestra, Ed. and Jess Cotrillo Jugglers, The Four Wonder Wheelers Laughs and Sensations. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 25 January 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Vonare Lady contortionist, Violet Reefern Serio and descriptive dancer, The Two Howes comedians and dancers, Harry Stennet transatlantic performer, Fred Harrington Anglo-Dutch Milanese piper and ballad vocalist, May Oliver Anglo-American soubrette, Olvene and Nestal trapeze artists, Master Charl prince of the silver wire, Nellie Gertie, The Minims grand instrumental Speciality. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Green and red type.

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 March 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 April 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 April 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Conrad and Whidden American Ragtime, Charles Norton Mimetic Comedian, The Rawsons Musical Entertainers, Sisters Marion Popular Duettists, Dave Carter Irish Tenor, Evelyn Bergen Vocalist and Dancer, The Westwoods Cycle Act, Lawrence Barclay Character Comedian, O’Gorman Bros. Clever Songs and Neat Dances, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Adam Tomlinson Tyneside Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 June 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Willette Whitaker Vocalist Assisted by F. Wilbur Hill, Valazzi Juggler, Pedipulator and Aviator, Carr’s Juvenile American Ragtime Octette, Stacey and Williams In Their Drawing Room Interlude, Beatrice Allen Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Bella Chevaux Sporano Vocalist, Shirley and Ransome In Their Episode of Coster Life, 'The Seperation Order', George D’Albert Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 June 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 June 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Two Coleys American Black-Faced Team, Daisy Stirling, 'the Versatile Girl', Ernest Krake and Company of Comedians, Jock Mills Scotch Character Comedian, Gwinnie Llewellyn Vocalist, Harvey Boys Patter Comedians in Comedy and Boxing Sketch, 'The Was Me', Mark Stuart Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, The Three Keltons Instrumentalists. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 July 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Clarice Mayne and her Pianist, Jack Edge Lancashire Comedian, Victorine and Manelli Vocal and Instrumental Entertainment, The Brennans Duettists and Clog Dancers, Albert Rees Entertainer at the Piano, Bob and Jennie Leonard Comedy, Bert Earle Jumping and Dancing Act, Betty Boden Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Goldsmith and Hoppe American Comedy Team. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 July 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Aubrey Fitzgerald and Frank Hill in Farce 'Getting the Bird', Wal Langtry Comedian, Rathskellar Trio (Mitchell, Wells and Lewis) Piano, Laughter and Song, 8 Seaside Girls Vocalists and Dancers, Nita Crystal and Geoffrey Saville in 'Early Closing Night', Rose Cambry Comedienne, Sisters Allen Dainty Duettists and Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, A.D. Robbins and his Co. Cycle Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 September 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 November 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Two Bobs (Bob Adams and Bob Alden) song and comedy, Maide Scott Comedienne, H.O. Wills Comedian, The Kebbles Duettists, Julian Mack The Topical Talker, Roma and Roman Classical Musicians, Billy Hobbs Coon Impersonator, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Little Freddie Hackin Boy Quick Change Artist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 December 1913
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Mozart Comedian, The Record Quartette South African Novelty Banjo Act, J.H. Wakefield Coon delineator, Prue Purl Entertainer, Harold Baker, Carter Livesey and Lillian Roseberry Comedy Sketch, Freda Waring Vocal Comedienne, Lorenz Four Vocalists and Acrobatic Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Woody, Wood and Wells Acrobatic Absurdity. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 26 January 1914
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Constance Drever with Mr Victor Marmont at the Piano, Mann and Franks Singing Comedy Act, Murfayne Xylophone King, Elsie Kerry Comedienne, Christie Duo Comedy and Dancing Team, Farrer and Griffiths’ Merry Mascots Vaudeville, Fred Evans in Original Burlesque, "Dreams of Oliver Twist", Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Jack Thomas Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 February 1914
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Lipinski’s 40 Dog Comedians, A Wonderful Animal Pantomime, Arthur Lennard Actor-Vocalist, J.W. Wilson and Nellie Waring Comedy Duo, Gipsy Woolf and Girls Including Doff Dee in Musical Scene, 'Jimmy Valentine’s Pat!', Billy Simpson Comedian, Stacey and Williams Comedy, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Harry Thornton and Emma Wagner American Vocalist and Instrumental Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 March 1914
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian, Mollie Lindsay and company in Scotch Sketch 'The Washing House Key!', Nelson Jackson Storyteller and Entertainer, Sisters Jerome Duettists and Dancers, Lloyd Morgan Comedian, Bros. Curran Boxing Comedians, Cooke Juggling Joker, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Donovan Family Musical Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.
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