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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 68 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 December 1934

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.305
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Music Mirth and Melody for our 66th Birthday, Jenny Howard Revue Comedienne with Percy King, Cecil Lyle Illusionist, Tommy Trainor Clever Comedian, Clara Kenton Violinist, Tom Merry Merseyside Dock Poet, Pat McKay Irish Dancer, The Argyle Orchestra Under The Direction of Mr. W. H. Sydney Jones, Universal News Topics of the Day, Reg. and Ronny Dale, Two Argyle stars in Modern Harmony. Black and blue type.

Dates: 17 December 1934

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 5 June 1933

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.308
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Critchton Boys and Beryl Evetts a Novelty, Singers, Dancers and Instrumentalists, A.J. Powers Burlesque Scots Comedian, Mitchell and Peru comedy acrobats, Holson and Bert dancing comedians, Daly Sisters and Marr, Casa and Nova crazy dancers, Hal Miller vocal jester, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Ware and Ryan, new comedy team. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Black and red type.

Dates: 5 June 1933

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 20 December 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.312
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Haley’s Juveniles in a beautiful Christmas Scena, Cecil Baumer pianiste, Constance Izard Violinist, Fredk. Allen baritone, Costa and George comedy bar act, Lily O’Gara contralto vocalist, Dene Dunlop comedian, May Renter vocalist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Hart and O’Brian eccentrique and the Canadian Johnny. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 20 December 1920

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 12 December 1904

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.313
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Verno and Voyce in their sporting, topical and dramatic successes, Charles R. Whittle comedian, The Violas, the White Mahatmas in an exhibition of mental telegraphy, The Knick Knacks comedy and speciality dancers, Charley Harvey in comedy 'The Broken Statue', Lily Turner comedienne. Jules Keller human enigma, Slade Murray actor, vocalist and comedian, Palles and Cussick laughter provoking comedians, The Bioscope, Hanco handcuff manipulator and jail...
Dates: 12 December 1904

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 January 1901

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.317
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Kokin the Beau Brummel of juggling from the Flowery Kingdom, Rumbo Austin and his comic Nippers, Mays and Hunter the premier American Banjo Experts, Tom Stuart mimic, Mignonette character chanteuse and Danseuse Eccentrique, Cyrus Dare society humourist and Imitator of Funny Children, Lida Dunlo Serio comic vocalist and dancer, T.C. Callaghan Character comedian, Florrie St. Clair Serio and descriptive Vocalist, Haig and Haig knockabout comedy, The...
Dates: 7 January 1901

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 February 1924

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.318
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Fred Barnes Light comedy star, Eric Godley and Leslie Elliott Baritone and piano, The Pall-Malls Artistic Comedy Absurdities, Jack Edwin comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, The Famous Four Christies acrobatic dancers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 18 February 1924

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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 23 September 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.249
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jack Pleasants Comedian, Will Walton and Co. Lancashire Comedy Act, Kitty Curtis Impressionist, Belle and Betty Novel Dancing Scenas, George Ackroyd and Ethel Remish Flautist and Soprano, Nora and Dane Acrobatic Absurdities, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Fred Curran Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 23 September 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 September 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.250
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Whit Cunliffe, Charles Cohan Hebrew Comedian, Sisters Reeve Pantomime Favourites in Dainty Songs and Duets, The Johnnys in Colour Shadow Southwood, His Pink Lady and a Piano, The 2 McCuskers Comedian and Dancer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation Jerome and Carson In Vaudeville Breezes. Blue and red type.

Dates: 30 September 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 October 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.251
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mdlle. Marguerite Scialtiel Supported by Jane Wells and Martin, Walker In One Act Comedy 'My Lonely Soldier', Jack Lane Yorkshire Rustic, Mart and Pep Spanish Entertainers Ethal Leslie, The Gallant, Band Master Morris One Man Band, Little Hazel Juvenile Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Oswald Bemand and his Famous Pet Wonder Pigeons. Blue and red type.

Dates: 14 October 1918

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 October 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.252
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Gilbert Payne and Company In Farcical Comedy, 'Bingle’s Bungle', Jack Thompson and Annie Walker Vocalists Assisted by Cecila, Johnson, Violinist, The Martini’s Piano Cabaret Scena introducing the Latest, American Society Dances, Manuel Vega Comedy Act, Cassie Walmer Eccentric Contralto and Dancer, Katie Butler Character Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Latest War News in Animation, Finlay Dunn Joke at the Pian’, Julot and Partner French...
Dates: 21 October 1918

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