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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 347 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 August 1905

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.319
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mike Whallen The Comet with Many Tales, Tom Costello Poor Old Clown, Neil Kenyon The Scotsman and His Pack, The Two Graces Duettists and Dancers, Walker and Lake New Comedians and Popular Patter Purveyers, Geo. Antill Evening Shadow Comedian, Mdlle. Du Roche Operatic Soprano Vocalist, Norman Leonard Trio Musical Sketch Players. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 14 August 1905

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 March 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.320
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Billy Merson Comedian, Sammy Shields Scottish Comedian, Boy Ronald Juggler, Cissie Lupino In Songs and Dance, Pam and Girls Acrobatic dancing Novelty, Delaney and Lee Duettists, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Empire Operatic Quartette in gems from popular operas. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 22 March 1920

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 July 1907

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.321
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Fred Karno’s Comedians in Mumming Birds, Little Dorretta Dainty Dutch Comedian and Acrobatic Sabot dancer, Walker and Lake popular Patter Purveyers, The Grosvenors Singers of popular Melodies, Maston Mimic, Billy Richardson Black Orator, The Royal Bioscope, Ernest Montefiore and Co. In Dramatic Sketch. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 15 July 1907

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 August 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.322
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Walter Stockwell comedian, The Mays Duettists, Pantomimists and Speciality Dancers, The Jackson Family! musicians, Ferris and Farnley comedians, vocalists and dancers, Baby Loftus child actress and vocalist, Gus Hindell character comedian and mimic, Lindon and Russell the comedy girls, Tom Lloyd quaint eccentric comedy. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 21 August 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 13 November 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.323
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Joe Elvin comedian, Yaggs and Mary Trick Cyclists, Professor Vox ventriloquist, Tiny Arnold clever juvenile exponent of song and dance, Annie Wright Serio comedienne and burlesque Actress, Marcus Boyle character comedians and Vocalist, Lily Jackson Male and Character Impersonator, Mable Thorne Anglo-American Soubrette and Dancer, Les Voces vocalists. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 13 November 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 November 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.324
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Four Moras in their novel and Laughable, Pantomimic Three bar Sketch, Lilia Roze Burlesque Actress, Austin Rudd Character Comedian, Marie Kendall Comedienne, Cyrus Dare Clever Society Entertainer, Ryder Slone Character Comedian, Eva Euston Serio comic vocalist and Dancer, Steve M’Carthy Character Comedian, Animated Photos. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue, yellow and green type.

Dates: 27 November 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 October 1899

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.325
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Harvey Boys comic and scientific boxing, Singing and Dancing, Minnie Cunningham Serio comedienne and Dancer, Walter King comedian and Dancer, Edison Vitascope, The Channings Operatic vocalists, Lily Ford Premiere Danseuse and Vocalist, Harry Bedford Comedian, Bransby Williams Character sketches from Charles Dickens, The Great Selbini troupe Acrobats, Cyclists, Musicians and Jugglers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue...
Dates: 2 October 1899

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 August 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.326
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 8 August 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 September 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.327
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 7 September 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 September 1930

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.328
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 22 September 1930

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 March 1936

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.329
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 9 March 1936

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 25 January 1892

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.600
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 25 January 1892
Argyle Theatre Poster 23 May 1892
Argyle Theatre Poster 23 May 1892

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster

 Digital Image
Reference code: 178-r012-024
Dates: 23 May 1892

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 November 1900

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.128
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 6 Brothers Luck in new Pantomimic Absurdity 'The Hermit', Animated Photographs of General Buller and the C.I.V’s. return to England Produced by the Royal Bioscope, The Dorrells Duettists, Vocalists and Dancers, Charles Seel Comedian, Martha Gymnast, Maude Needham Serio Comic and Ballad Vocalist, T.W. Barrett The Nobleman’s Son, Marion Keats-Serio-Comedienne and Dancer, New Macs Knockabout Comedians. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool....
Dates: 19 November 1900

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 January 1901

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.129
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Signor Pepi Italy’s Greatest Quick Change Artist, Animated Photographs of Lord Roberts’ Return Produced by the B.B.and R. Royal Bioscope Company, Martin Conway Quaint Comedian, Egyptian Princess Cleopatra Serpent Enchantress, Emma Don Character Comedienne, Collins and Rice American Comedy Vocalist and Dancers, Barton Howard The Human Gramophone, Dora Lyric Burlesque Actress, R.W. Bentley Character Comedian, Boswell’s Novel Stage Circus with Educated...
Dates: 14 January 1901

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 20 January 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.130
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Mysterious Lilith introduced by Professor Fred Harcourt, the Marvellous Magician, Rawson and June Australian Boomerang Throwers, The Saxon Trio Strong Men, Mike Whallen Raconteur and Extempore Vocalist, Lillian Warren In Her Novel Vocal Pictures, Martin Conway Quaint Comedian, Violet Wilton Comedienne and Dancer, Frank Coyle Character Comedian, Carl Nobel Danish Ventriloquist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow...
Dates: 20 January 1902

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 August 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.133
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Albert Athas and Lizzie Collins Comedy Duettists, Billy Farrell American Song and Dance Act, Rich and Rich Comedians and Dancers, Jessie Albini Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Cyrus and Maude with their Performing Donkey, May Fitzmaurice Burlesque Actress, Frank Dunlop Character Comedian, Peggy Primrose Vocalist and Dancer, Ernest Rees Character Comedy. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue, red, green and yellow type.

Dates: 11 August 1902

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 October 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.134
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Poluski Brothers (Will and Sam) In a New and Original Entertainment, Tom and Mario Motramo Musical Comedy Team, The 2 Weirs Duettists and Dancers, Bob Hutt Eccentric Comedian, The British Quartette, John Bull, Sandy, Pat and Taffy Glee Singers, Gerald Mount descriptive Vocalist, Maude Mortimer Descriptive Character Vocalist, Sisters Govell Duetists and Dancers, De Dio Allegorical Dancers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: 27 October 1902

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 November 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.135
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Harry Freeman Comic Singer, The Nine Rosebuds Vocalists and Dainty Dancers, Daisy James Comedienne, Harry Dent Vocal and Burlesque Comedian, Austin Rudd of Red Light, Danger!, Fame, May Queen Vocalist and Dancer, Edmunda Ventriloquist and Mimic, Harry Villers Character Comedian, Ella Retford Comedienne, Royal Bioscope with a Series of Novel Pictures Including A Trip To the Moon, The Collins Trio Including Miss Rachel Lowe Vocal Comedy Artistes....
Dates: 10 November 1902

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 1 December 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.136
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Bella and Bijou the Society Entertainers in their Latest Success James, the Flunkey!, also a Complete Company of Stars and Popular favourites. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue type.

Dates: 1 December 1902

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