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 358 Collections and/or Records:
Argyle Theatre Collection
This collection contains a large number of posters as well as business records including records of artist bookings, accounts, scrapbooks, contracts and correspondence.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 November 1889
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, c1880 - 1899
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Closure for redecoration. ‘Grand re-opening Bank holiday, 6th August with a Powerful Company Of Stars, New Scenery etc, etc. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 April 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Harry Weldon Burlesque Character Comedian, Phil and Phlora Acrobatic and Dancing Humoresque, Bert Terrell Dutch Comedian, Eileen Audrey Comedienne, Warnock-Wick Trio Irish Comedy Sketch, George Murphy Fun in a Billiard Room, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Ackroyd Flautist and Rose Hardy Harpiste. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 16 May 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Sutcliffe Family Scottish Acrobatic Vaudeville, Elizabeth Hyde Soprano Vocalist, Geaiks and Geaiks Eccentrics, Imitateurs, Siffleurs, Foden Williams Vocal Entertainer, Eddie Morrell, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, George Turner Left-Handed Cartoonist, Lois Parker and Percy Tarling Humour and Music. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 June 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tom Clare Piano, May Henderson Dusky Comedy Queen, Dick Tubb Comedian, Ray and Kelly Songs and Dances, Sam Hilton Comedian and Acrobatic Dancer, Dorothy and Rayloo Speciality Duo, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Shogun and Ryder Shooting Act. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 4 July 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Fred Lake and Tom Barrasford in Vivacious Vocalism, Archie Hill Tenor, Miss Ellis Drake and Company Scotch Comedy Playlet, 'Oh Mother', Sisco Musical Speciality, Little Vera Kitchen Juvenile Artiste, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Joyce Lyn Vocal Comedienne, Franklyn Brothers Amazing Athletes. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 July 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ike and Will Scott Comedians, Dave Loch and Carrie Lomond Characteristic Scottish and Irish Scenas, Claude Gardner Comedian, Chicago Three Comedians and Dancers, Emmelyn Walter Song and Story, Arthur Pond Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope-in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Brooklyn Comedy Four Singers. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 25 July 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Rolf Slater Comedian, Hobart and Hobbs Comedy, Lune and Shaw Character Comedy Act, Charles and Irene Vestry Athlete and the Dancer, Dennis O’Neill and Irene Sinclair in 'Notes and Nonsense', Lily Denville Dancing Act, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Tom E. Finglass Artistic Coon Delineator. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 August 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Clark and Hamilton in Three Big Scenas, May Sherrard Comedienne, George D’Albert Comedian, Tina Paynola Mimic, Gemmell Bros. Scientific Dancers, Ena and Eva song, Dance and Melody, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Dippy Diers Clowning Absurdities. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 August 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Gresham Singers, Brandon and Smith The Chocolate Drop and the Ink Spot, Elsie Southgate Assisted by Victor Gould Violinist, Frank Street Comedian, Connie Browning Revue Artiste and Some Songs, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Nora Dale Comedienne and Dancer, The Flemings Presenting Artistic Creations in Alabaster. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 26 September 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Rungamah Somnambulastic Visions, Alfredo Vagabond Violinist, J.H. Scotland Opera Voice, Gerbola Trio Italian Comedy Acrobatic and Tumbling Act, Wilf Burnand Character Comedian, Sisters Martin Harmony Duo, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Fred Kitchen Presents the Beswick Twins. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 24 October 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Peter Pariss Plaintive Comedy, Vanny Chard Welsh Songstress, The Three Walkers Musical Equilibrists, Louis J. Seymour Comedy Artiste, Diana Dain, Tom and Nell Knockabout Comedy, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Gladys Wright and John Hartley in 'Songs Sung Differently'. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 November 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Talbot O’Farrell the Irish Entertainer, Gaston Palmer Juggling Comedian, Harry Ford Comedian, The Martinis Ballroom Dancers, Will Gardiner Comedian, Sisters Gannon Duettists, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Joseph P. Nolan presents Billy Morris Boxing Display. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 12 December 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Wish Wynne Comedy Songs and Character Sketches, Pierce and Roslyn A Whirl Of Melody, Paul Thompson in a Vaudeville 'Pick-Me-Up', Gladys Simmonds Soprano, Tom Lee, With and Without a Piano, Tambo and Tambo Tambourines, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, John Barton and Annie Ashley In Comedy Sketch, "Back to Earth". Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 December 1921
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tommy Mostol and Company in 'The Rest Cure', Tailleur Andrews Actor Vocalist, Bert Lindon and Will Moon in a Chocolate and White Vocal Entertainment, Sydney Edwards, the Card Master, Austin Layton Soprano, Carlos Menard Novelty Fiddler, The Two McCrans Eccentric Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Beaucaire and His Butlers Comedy Juggling. Blue and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 20 January 1930
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Pickard’s Chinese Syncopators in Musical Scena 'The Land Of Mah Jong', The Mongadors French Jugglers, George Betton Comedian, Anona Winn and Brett Davies, Jack Dukes the Singing Miller, Day Sisters, the Quarelsome Schoolgirls, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Mae Baird and Archie Thompson Dancers From Down Under. Black and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 July 1930
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Rupert Hazel and Elsie Day in 'Harmonylarity', The Langue Four Acrobatic Dancers, Grant and Cute the Happy Pair, Two Especials Musical Equilibrists, Olive Dyer, the Pocket Melba, Lew Grade the Dancer With Humorous Feet, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Johnson and Bert Comedians. Black and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 1 June 1931
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Payne and Hilliard in Funny Act 'Country and Town', Topsy Turvy Two Dancing, Harrison Viney Piano-Accordion King, Gay and Bubbles with Jeffrey Musical and Dancing Act, Newland and Edwards Comedians, King Tom Fagan King of Coins and Cards, Claude Lester Comedian, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Mae Bard and Archie Thompson Dancers From Down Under. Black and red type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 June 1931
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jackson Owen Comedian, Stan Pell and Stan Little, a Smart Comedian and the Precocious Kid, Revene and Norval Dancing Team, Chas. Keegan Comedy and Songs, Will Power and Page Daring Stunts on a Unicycle, The Darwood Trio Musical, Vocal and Whistling Speciality, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, Stan Stafford Vocalist. Black and red Type.
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 353
- Collection 2
- Digital Record 3
- Subject
- Acrobats 63
- Aerialists 4
- Animal trainers 7
- Animals 41
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3
- Boxing 16
- Business 13
- Circus 12
- Clowning 14
- Comedians 322
- Contortionists 5
- Dance 245
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- Equestrians 1
- Fakirs 1
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- Female impersonators 8
- Fire eating 2
- Freak shows 1
- Gymnasts 13
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- Magic 35
- Male impersonators 18
- Menageries 1
- Mimes 1
- Minstrel shows 10
- Motion pictures 185
- Music 1
- Music-halls 347
- Musical performances 114
- Musicians 68
- Optical illusions 1
- Pantomime 42
- Performers 351
- Pierrot 2
- Puppets 7
- Shooting 4
- Showman 1
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- Sideshows 4
- Singing 272
- Skating 7
- South African War, 1899-1902 9
- Strong men 5
- Stunt performers 1
- Tableaux vivants 3
- Thin people 3
- Travel 1
- Ventriloquists 20
- War 35
- Wild west 2
- World War, 1914-1918 22
- World War, 1939-1945 1
- Wrestling 8
- Zoos 1 + ∧ less