Skip to main content

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 322 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 August 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.178
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Chas. Austin in 'Parker P.C.' Comedy, Irene Rose Dainty Comedienne, Sanford and Lyons Comedians, Monty Walker Comedian, The Westwoods Cycling Duo, Harry Knox Comedian, Lily Eyton Vocal Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Sammy Shields Scottish Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 8 August 1910

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 August 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.179
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Blake and Granby Comedy, Jack Lane Comedian, Foreman and Fannan The Millionaires Percy and Harold, Tom Collins Character Comedian, Gladys Mavius Canadian Comedienne and Dancer, Walter Ellis and Company in 'The Sleepwalker', Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Josie Delaine. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 15 August 1910

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 August 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.180
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Maide Scott Comedienne, Charles R. Whittle Comedian, The Seven Bramusas in 'Music afloat', Fred Barnes Hughes and Elliott Comedy Singing and Dancing Duo, Alfred Wood and Company in Farcical Episode 'Ten Minutes', George Lambton Swell Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Brothers Horne Comedy Boxing Sketch, Ted Waite Spasmodic Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 22 August 1910

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 12 September 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.181
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Gilday and Fox American Hebrew Comedians, J.P. Ling Comedian and Mimic, Lillie Lassah Comedienne and Cancer, Ike and Will Scott Comic Duettists and Dancers, Arthur Woodville Light Comedian and Expert Dancer, Otto and Olga Musical Comedy Act, Nora Stockelle Comedienne, Victor Travers Comedian and Dancer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Mooney and Holbein Vaudeville Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 12 September 1910

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 September 1910

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.182
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Ali Animal Actor, Tom E. Hughes Comedian, Hanvarr and Lee in 'The Golfer and the Maid', May Mars In Vocal Scena 'My Persian Garden', Stacey and Williams cross Talk Comedians, Raie Walters The Fishing Girl, Will Musgrave Character Comedian, Billy Rhodes Droll Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Park’s Eton Boys Assisted by the Girton Girls In Their New Song Scena 'Speech Day at Eton College'. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool....
Dates: 19 September 1910

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 November 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.233
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Staley’s Transformation Act, The Musical Coopers, Robb Wilton Confidential Comedian, Alexandre and Hughes Musical Comedians, Edna Payne Violinist, The Holsons Comedians and Dancers, William Anderson Operatic Basso, Kitty Clinton Versatile Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Tom E. Finglass The Original Cowboy Coon. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 November 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 January 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.234
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian, The 3 Scamps American Speed Boys and a Piano, Harry Hudson in Pianohumour, Ena Dayne Juvenile Comedienne, Brooklyn Comedy 4, Royce Babs and Royce Singing and Dancing Act, Albert Letine Burlesque Impersonations, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Nicol and Martin Comedy Cycling Act, The 7 Bramusas Brass Band Extravaganza. Blue and red type.

Dates: 3 January 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 January 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.235
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 'Step This Way' Musical Comedy Melange Including:, Elven Hedges (of Hedges Brothers and Jacobson), Tom Bryan Welsh Harpist, Billy Leonard (of Norman-Leonard Trio), Marie Montague, Rowland Green, Alf Leonard with a violin (Of Norman-Leonard Trio), Ivy Howard, Peggy Hope, Gordon James, Isabelle Dillon Musical Comedy Artiste, The Four Oriental Queens and a Rosebud Garden of Lovely Girls, Gene Gordon Comedy Magician, Barry Leighton and Sadi Melville...
Dates: 10 January 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 January 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.236
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Whit Cunliffe Comedian, Gilday and Fox Singing Hebrew Humorists, Leo Cud and Company in the L.C.C.’s 6 Musical Navvies-Musical Comedians, The Irish Strollers, Violin and a Voice, Syd Moorhouse, the Dandy Demon, Stella Stahl in Song and Dance Brown’s Royal Bioscope showing Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Mollie Lindsay and Company in Scotch Domestic Company ‘The Washing House Key!, Jack Lorimer Scotch Comedian and Dancer. Blue and...
Dates: 17 January 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 20 March 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.237
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jack and Evelyn in Their Latest Success, 'Carry On', Tom Hearn, the Lazy Juggler, Keir and Kempton Scotch Vocal Duo, Pynkie Whyte Californian Comedy, Harry Levaine Character Comedian, Harry Wenburn Comedian, P.J. Gillen and Company In Comedy Sketch, Rogers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope showing Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Ruby Roya, a Radiant Personality. Blue and red type.

Dates: 20 March 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 25 September 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.238
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Gertie Gitana, Tom Purslow Burlesque Operatic Comedian, Fuji Family Japanese Jugglers and Equilibrists, George D’Albert Versatile Comedian, Frances and Alfred Juggler, Ivy Hurley Singer and Dancer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope showing Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Wilbert Gamble Comedian, Fyne and Hurley Burlesque Comedians. Printed: None given but probably S Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 25 September 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 5 March 1917

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.239
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Bransby Williams in Selections From His Wonderful Repertoire, Ernie Ream and his Baby Grand, Duncan and Godfrey Comedy, Ford and Truly Variety, Dolly Ross Chorus Comedienne, Bruce and Iris Clare Humorous Entertainers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showin ‘Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Sam Stern Character Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 5 March 1917

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 July 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.241
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Coram and the New Recruit Jerry in Ventriloquial Scena, The Quaint Q’s Comedy, Glee songs and Novel Dance, Zetta Mor Comedienne, Frank Powell Character, Patter Comedian, Vera Caine Athletic Girl, J.B. Strain Irish Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope-Showing Latest War News in Animation, Suther One Man Musical Revue. Blue and red type.

Dates: 22 July 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 July 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.242
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Maidie Scott Comedienne, Fyne and Hurley Burlesque Comedians, Herbert La Martine Dancer, Harold Baker Eccentric Comedian, Jackson and Marte Comedians, Ivy Hurley Comedienne and Dancer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing latest War News in Animation, Gomez Trio Vocal and Instrumentalist Scena. Blue and red type.

Dates: 29 July 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 5 August 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.243
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Wilkie Bard Comedian, J.H. Scotland Song and Comedy, Woodward and Page Cycling, Music and Dancing, Les Altos Equilibristic Act, Sara Rosebury, the Lively Lancashire Lass, Marie and Rubie O’Rourke Musical Comedy and Dancing, Brown’s Royal Bioscope-Showing Latest War News in Animation John Lester’s Frisco 5, the Jollities of Jazz. Blue and red type.

Dates: 5 August 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 August 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.244
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Margaret Cooper and a Piano, Billy Housini and Company Comedy Juggling and Balancing Act, Hal Wright Burlesque Comedian, Brothers Curran Boxing Comedians, Hayes and Doree Comedy Duo, Sisters Gaye Comediennes and Speciality Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, May Sherrard Comedienne. Blue and red type.

Dates: 19 August 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 26 August 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.245
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Westminster Singers Male Voice Quartette, Marcelle and his Unique Partner, a Sea Lion, George Wilby Expressionist and Mimic, The Kitchen Comedy Four, Josephine Langley Ventriloquist, Sisters Gannon Duettists and Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, G.S. Melvin Versatile Scot. Blue and red type.

Dates: 26 August 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 September 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.246
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ernie Lotinga in New Comedy Sketch 'Wanted A Wife', Fred Barnes incomparable Artiste, The Pigquays and Imp American Novelty Artistes, Delany and Dean Vocal, Comedy and Dancing, Marjorie Fulton Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing latest War News in Animation, Rich Hayes Clown, Daisy Taylor-Scotch Comedienne. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 September 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 September 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.247
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Graves and Company in 'Koffo, of Bond Street', Tom E. Hughes, Edna Lyall Soprano Vocalist, Roelgin’s Parrots Performing Bird Act, Jaffa Conjoring Comic, Gwennie Morgan Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, George Hatton Presents The Bell-Hattons a Refined Musical Act. Blue and red type.

Dates: 9 September 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 16 September 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.248
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Clarice Mayne and That Selections From Their Repertoire, Nora Delany Comedienne, Ernest Krake and Company Comedy Act In 'The Electric Tram Car Conductor', Alex Prince Concertina Soloist, Leonard and Stevens In Comedy Sketch 'Coming Home', Jack Poulter Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Wilfred Burnand Original Character and Song Studies. Blue and red type.

Dates: 16 September 1918

Filtered By

  • Subject: Comedians X

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 319
Collection 2
Digital Record 1
 
Subject
Acrobats 57
Aerialists 3
Animal trainers 7
Animals 41
Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3