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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 of Varieties Poster, 11 December 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.84
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Carroll Levis Presents His Latest BBC Discoveries, Fourteen Big Acts Plus Variety Show. Red type.

Dates: 11 December 1939

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 December 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.85
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Joe Young the Celebrated Theatre Proprietor, Brodie and Steel Vocalists, Harrison Viney Accordeonist, Lotto and Constance, Stanley King and his Uke, Ann Seymour in 'Voices of the Stars', Flack and Lucas 'Flying Feet', Jack Mayer with Alan Kitson Melodies of the Moment. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red on yellow.

Dates: 18 December 1939

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 December 1939

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.86
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Joe Young the Celebrated Theatre Proprietor, Brodie and Steel Vocalists, Harrison Viney Accordeonist, Lotto and Constance, Stanley King and his Uke, Ann Seymour in 'Voices of the Stars', Flack and Lucas 'Flying Feet', Jack Mayer with Alan Kitson Melodies of the Moment. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red type on beige.

Dates: 18 December 1939

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 January 1940

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.87
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jack 'rumps'Doyle and his Aces of Rhythm with Joe Ferrie and Nino Monti in Hot Music, Hatton and Manners Comedians, Two Rascals Entertainers and a Piano, Jack Henry Whistling Comedian, Michael Moore Impressionist, Marie and Jose Anderson Dancers, Buddy Clarke with Mum and Dad Novelty, Fred Culpitt Conjuror, Gulliver and his 7 dwarfs Burlesque Comedians. Printed by A. Sam Griffith Poster Printed McC. H. Ltd., Liverpool. Red type

Dates: 15 January 1940

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 January 1940

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.88
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Four Aces BBC and Recording Stars, Dominic Roche and Company in 'Home and Duty', Larry Kemble A Darned Nuisance, Wally Wood Comedian, Les Parisanas Musical Moments, Cawalini’s Dogs, The Young China Troupe Contortions and Acrobatics. Printed by A. Sam Griffith Poster, Printed McC. H. Ltd., Liverpool. Red type.

Dates: 29 January 1940

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 September 1940

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.89
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Judy Shirley The Star of 'Monday Night at Seven', Baker Dove and Allen International Club Men, The Reid Twins, The Valmar Trio from the Tower Circus, Blackpool, The McDonald and Maurice Twins, George Boyd Comedian, Don Carlos BBC Vocalist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool.

Dates: 9 September 1940

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 October 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.94
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Vesta Tilley The London Idol, Francois Equilibristic Act, Frank Hayward The Great Star, Foreman and Fannan The Aristocratic Irishman, Miss Rose Dornton Serio and Top-Boot dancer, Mad’lle Dagmar The bohemian Marvel, Mr Pete Bradie Amusing Negro Entertainer, Mr George Ripon. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, blue and black type.

Dates: 27 October 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 November 1889

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.96
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tommy Burns Champion High Diver, Miss Rose Dornton Song and Dance Artiste, Clog, Pump and Tap-Boot dancer, Mr Will Hoare Novelty Dancer, Sisters Wright, Ada and Annie Characteristic Duettists, Dancers, Burlesque and American Song and Dance Artists, Mr Will Hebden Star Comedian, Swiss warbler and Mimic, Miss Lily Ma Pet Mimic and Serio Comic, Mr Tom Vernon Vocal Comedian Dancer, Instrumentalist and Novel Song and Dance Artiste, Pete Bradie Negro...
Dates: 11 November 1889

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 February 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.97
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Rose Collinetti Mandoline and Banjo Soloist, American Song and Dance Artiste and Premier high Pedestal Performer, Ben Ray Old Veteran, Johnny Macdonald Vocalist and Tyroleon Warrior, Fay and Foy Ireland’s own Character Comedians and Dancers, Mr Frank Seymour Character Dialect Comedian and Premier Top-boot dancer, Miss Minnie Ray Serio and Dance Artiste, Milton’s Marvellous Marionettes. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Brown and...
Dates: 10 February 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 September 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.100
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Prof. E.R. Dinez’s Wonderful Circus, Educated Ponies, Performing Goats and Smiler the Performing Donkey, Nelly Gannon Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Harry Wright Character Comedian, Wilkie Bard Delineator of the Coster Art, J.H. Sephton Vocalist, Dancer and Speciality Instrumentalist, Lilly Langtry Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Nellie Stratton Serio Comic and Burlesque Actress Dutch Daly comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers,...
Dates: 30 September 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 November 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.101
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr. Arthur Lennard singer, Mr Will Evans(late of Evans and Luxmor) comedian and dancer, The Brantfords American stars in 'Prof. Muddlehead'. Monday next, Millie Hylton London Star and Burlesque Actress. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Green type.

Dates: 18 November 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 October 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.102
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ara, Zebra and Vora Premier Pyramidists and Pedepulists of the World, Miss Lily Burnand Comedienne, Mitzi Japanese Juggler, The Wal Pink Comedy Troupe in 'An April Fool', The 2 Leonas Songs and Dances, Miss Flo Lacey Characteristic Comedienne, Agnes Liston Serio and Ballad Vocalist and Mandolinist, Mr Alec Hurley Comedian and Exponent of Coster Songs. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.

Dates: 28 October 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 February 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.103
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Mannons Pantomimists, Fillis’ South African Dogs, Miss Lizzie Valrose Serio Comic Vocalist, Miss Ailsa Cairns Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr Alec Burnard Comedian and Vocalist, Adolph Faue Wire Equilibrist and Expert Tumbler, Mr Harry Zetter Eccentric Comedian and Dancer, Mr Walter Purssord Necromancer and Patterer Assisted by Mr Sydney Lee. Monday next, Tennyson and O’Gorman. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Green, red and...
Dates: 10 February 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 August 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.104
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Spry and Florrie Austin Comedy Act, Myra May Soprano Vocalist, Brothers Howard Unique Second Sight Performance, Bennett and Martell Knockabout Comedians, Vocalists and Dancers, Miss Kate Toole Burlesque Actress, Little Tony Character Comedian, Nora Connor Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Maud Needham Serio and Ballad Vocalist, Mr Charles Seel Character Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow type.

Dates: 10 August 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 September 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.105
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Ripon Character Comedian, Tom and Lillie English Whistler and Comedy Artiste, Leslie Trio Comedy and Burlesque Artistes Including The Mayor, Smallest Comedian, Andy Sullivan, Hibernian, Viceroy, Harry Leslie, Vocalist, Comedian and Dancer, Mr Arthur Forrest Comedian, Burlesque Artiste and Dancer, Marie Olive Soprano and Descriptive Vocalist, Sisters Guest Characteristic Duettists, Vocalists and Dancers, Lillie Downing Serio Comic Vocalist and...
Dates: 14 September 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 September 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.107
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Haytors (Edie, Arthur and Frank) in 'His Nibs and His Nobs' Tom Eno Mimic, Daisy Meadows Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer L’Incompushable Griff Comic Juggling Act, Lizzie Fletcher Comedienne, The Two Brewers Eccentric Comedians and dancing, Little Emily Juvenile Comedienne, Arthur Lennard Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, green and yellow type.

Dates: 28 September 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 December 1894

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.57
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Hulines Musical Clowns, Mr Edward Crime Famous Basso, Vosper King of Necromancers and Mimics, The Lyric Glee Singers, Mssrs C. Aspinall, G. Raper, W.H. Atkinson and E. Grime, Miss May Irving Serio Comedienne, Brothers Douglas Risley Performers and Acrobats, Mr Jim Woods Comedian, Messrs. Ryan and Hall Chinese Pantomimists. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 31 December 1894

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 4 February 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.58
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Messrs. Ardel and the Brothers Donaldson in Pantomime Sketch Scenes at the Zoo, Leslie Merrie Serio comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr. Leonard Palmer the Musical Officer of the Musical Palmers in an amusing Military Monologue 'Lively after Parade', Lillie Sweeney Song and Dance Artists and Lady Side-Drummer, Nat Clifford The Rapidly Rising Star Comedian and Dancer, Arthur Picardo Character Comedian and Expert Dancer, The McConnell Family Premier...
Dates: 4 February 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 April 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.59
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Marie Tyler Popular London Star, Farrell and Willmot Irish Comedians, Quinton Gibson Female Impersonator, Frankie Milton Light Comedienne and Dancer, Harry Shaw Black Speciality Artiste, Alf Robins Juvenile Mimic, Jenny Primrose Burlesque Actress, Vocalist and Dancer, Miss Edith St. Clair Comedienne. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.

Dates: 22 April 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 June 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.60
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Splendid Oriental Spectacle China, or a Night in Pekin! Performed by 100 Birkenhead Children and Professor Selkirk and Family, Mr Alf Chester Actor Vocalist, Ethel Lear Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, Kate King Character Comedian and Tyrolean Vocalists, Harry Towers Swell Comedian, Marie Osborne Serio Comic Vocalist and American Song and Dance Artiste, West and Ellis American Knockabout comedians. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool....
Dates: 10 June 1895

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Subject
Acrobats 63
Aerialists 4
Animal trainers 7
Animals 41
Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3