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 245 Collections and/or Records:
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 October 1918
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 October 1918
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Bransby Williams, 'The Seven Ages of Man', From Baby to Old Man 102, Those Two Nondescripts and a Piano, George de Alma Banjo Boy, Freda Lawrence and Billie Bowie Comedy Entertainers, Sophie Forrest Comedienne, James Barry Dancing Marvel, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Artemas Comedy Illusionist. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 16 December 1918
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Horace Hunter and Lily Hammersley and West End Company in 'The Years Between', Haley’s Juveniles Vocal Scena, Lydia and Francis Parisian, Artistic and Acrobatic Dances, Tom Costello Comedian, Lucy Brennan Comedienne, Thelma Hamilton Soprano Vocalist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Frank Whitman Dance Mad Fiddler. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 December 1918
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 2 Rascals, Chas O’Donnell and Eddie Fields, Madge Velma and her Ruffles Lady Vocalists, Frank Keith Light Star Comedian, Francis and Alfred Juggler and Assistant, Stephanie Anderson Dancing and Instrumental Quick Change Act, Nona Dixie Comedy, Brown’s Royal Bioscope In a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Ronez, the Broken Cellist. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 12 January 1920
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian Penrose and Whitlock, Harold Moss, Norfolk Gipsy Violinist and Isabel Maachah Musical and Dancing Fantasy, Olga Sydney Comedian, Nord and Dane Acrobatic Act, Lue Joyce Perfect Lady, The Mellow Dee’s high Class Repertoire, Brown’s Royal Bioscope In a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, St. Juste and Higgins. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892
Birkenhead. Grand re-opening. The Killeno Family Male and Female Acrobats, Miss Myra Massey Double-voiced Vocalist, Captain Slingsby The Intercepted Letter, Mr Frank Seymour Eccentric Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Evalo and Roisso The Clown and the Turk, Mr J. Forde Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Prof. Norton Royal Court Conjuror and Card King, Poole’s Minstrels. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S. Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899
Argyle Theatre of Variety Poster, 7 November 1897
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Posters, c1880 - 1940
Large collection of Argyle Theatre posters.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 28 December 1885
Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead. Oscar Dubourg and Little Jim The Man Fish and The Boy Frog with illustration of water tank, The Langans, Miss Kate Dalton Ballad and Serio Comic Vocalist, Mr Fred Bennet Eccentric Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Expert Dancer, Bros. Lang, Craven and Donway The Sable Stars. ‘England’s Premier Chair, Turn Artistes, Mr George Ellison The Celebrated Negro Entertainer and Dancer. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Purple and blue type.
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 15 October 1888
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 29 October 1888
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 10 December 1888
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 25 - 30 May c1880 - 1899
Filtered By
- Subject: Dance X
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- Archival Object 242
- Collection 2
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- Acrobats 42
- Aerialists 4
- Animal trainers 7
- Animals 28
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3
- Boxing 13
- Business 2
- Circus 11
- Clowning 12
- Comedians 233
- Contortionists 3
- Dwarfs (Persons) 4
- Equestrians 1
- Fakirs 1
- Family 1
- Female impersonators 6
- Fire eating 2
- Freak shows 1
- Gymnasts 9
- Jugglers 28
- Magic 26
- Male impersonators 13
- Menageries 1
- Mimes 1
- Minstrel shows 7
- Motion pictures 121
- Music 1
- Music-halls 238
- Musical performances 77
- Musicians 49
- Optical illusions 1
- Pantomime 29
- Performers 244
- Pierrot 2
- Puppets 7
- Shooting 3
- Showman 1
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- Sideshows 4
- Singing 205
- Skating 6
- South African War, 1899-1902 8
- Strong men 2
- Stunt performers 1
- Tableaux vivants 3
- Thin people 3
- Travel 1
- Ventriloquists 17
- War 28
- Wild west 2
- World War, 1914-1918 17
- World War, 1939-1945 1
- Wrestling 6
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