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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 358 Collections and/or Records:

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 20 December 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.276
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Haley’s Juveniles in a Beautiful Christmas Scena, Cecil Baumer Piano, 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 in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Hart and O’Brian The Eccentrique and the Canadian Johnny. Blue and red type.

Dates: 20 December 1920

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 December 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.277
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. A Welsh Folk Playlet Entitled 'The Poacher' Played by the Hopkins Family, Haley’s Juveniles in a Beautiful Christmas Scena, Pasquali Brothers Tumblers and Equilibrists, Madge Bilton and Max Burlesque Comedy Couple, Harris Wright Tenor, Herbert Coonie Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Theo Moens Royal Belgian Court Entertainer. Blue and red type.

Dates: 27 December 1920

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 January 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.278
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Ina Hill from the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Co., Jack Thomas Comedian, Razza Human Gramophone, Foster Kershaw, Four Revels Premier Dancers, Harry Moore Paper Manipulator, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Julot and Piero Silliness. Blue and red type

Dates: 3 January 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 January 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.279
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mike S. Whallen Prince of Extempore, Horace Jones and Partner in 'Seaside Scena', Four K-Foleys 'Coffee Stall Embankment Scena', Ethel Toms Contralto, Max Sterling Illusionist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Jack Boot Comedian, The Four Richards Magnificent and Artistic. Blue and red type

Dates: 17 January 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 24 January 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.280
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Vernon Watson Entertainer and Mimic, Terry Wilson Comedy Star, Lune and Shaw Comedy Character Act, The Hadens Singers and Continental Dancers, Albert and Rogers New Zealand’s Premier Artistes, Tom Lee with and without a Piano, Wee Dorothy Dodd Comedienne and Dancer, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Hinsle Comedian Illusionist. Blue and red type

Dates: 24 January 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 February 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.281
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ernie Mayne The Simple One, Larkum Brothers Comedy Duo, The Kitchen Comedy Four Featuring Bella Moody, Woolven Trio in Melodies Old and New, Tom Rees Entertaining Irishman, Frances Kinders Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Jean Andrews soprano. Blue and red type.

Dates: 14 February 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 February 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.282
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey, Lue Joyce, De Busse Piano-Accordionist, Wells and Nash Comedians and Dancers, Dan Whitley Comic, Nelli Nora Instrumental Speciality, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Renee and Godfrey Girl and Boy Dancers. Blue and red type.

Dates: 21 February 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 December 1894

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.57
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Hulines Musical Clowns, Mr Edward Crime Famous Basso, Vosper King of Necromancers and Mimics, The Lyric Glee Singers, Mssrs C. Aspinall, G. Raper, W.H. Atkinson and E. Grime, Miss May Irving Serio Comedienne, Brothers Douglas Risley Performers and Acrobats, Mr Jim Woods Comedian, Messrs. Ryan and Hall Chinese Pantomimists. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, blue and yellow type.

Dates: 31 December 1894

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 4 February 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.58
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Messrs. Ardel and the Brothers Donaldson in Pantomime Sketch Scenes at the Zoo, Leslie Merrie Serio comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr. Leonard Palmer the Musical Officer of the Musical Palmers in an amusing Military Monologue 'Lively after Parade', Lillie Sweeney Song and Dance Artists and Lady Side-Drummer, Nat Clifford The Rapidly Rising Star Comedian and Dancer, Arthur Picardo Character Comedian and Expert Dancer, The McConnell Family Premier...
Dates: 4 February 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 April 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.59
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Marie Tyler Popular London Star, Farrell and Willmot Irish Comedians, Quinton Gibson Female Impersonator, Frankie Milton Light Comedienne and Dancer, Harry Shaw Black Speciality Artiste, Alf Robins Juvenile Mimic, Jenny Primrose Burlesque Actress, Vocalist and Dancer, Miss Edith St. Clair Comedienne. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.

Dates: 22 April 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 June 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.60
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Splendid Oriental Spectacle China, or a Night in Pekin! Performed by 100 Birkenhead Children and Professor Selkirk and Family, Mr Alf Chester Actor Vocalist, Ethel Lear Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, Kate King Character Comedian and Tyrolean Vocalists, Harry Towers Swell Comedian, Marie Osborne Serio Comic Vocalist and American Song and Dance Artiste, West and Ellis American Knockabout comedians. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool....
Dates: 10 June 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 July 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.61
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Frank Caffrey Irish Comedian and Dancer, Marie Olive Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, The Four Valladolis Acrobatic Tableaux Vivants, Miss Lizzie Chase Vocalist and Dancer, Fred Hastings Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Gaertner and Richards Sleigh Bell Act, Miss Margery Glen Serio Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Walter Kino Comic Actor Vocalist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.

Dates: 8 July 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 July 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.62
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tom Woottwell Loose-legged Comedian, Lillian Robina Serio Comic Vocalist, Burlesque Artiste and Dancer, Mr Ike Scott and Son Comedians and Dancers, Leslie Clare Baritone and Descriptive Vocalist, The Foster Combination in Military Burlesque 'His Last Chance', Joe Edmonds Negro Performer, Banjoist and Dancer, Madge Norman Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Mr. J.P.Curlett Irish Character Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer. Monday Next, The Hartlows and...
Dates: 15 July 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 July 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.63
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Quinns in Clever Absurdity, 'Baby the Judge', Madeline May Burlesque Actress and Skipping Rope Dancer, Mr George Kingston Eccentric Comedian, Mad’lle Fulton operatic and Ballad Vocalist, Mrs. Butler Stanhope accompanied by Master Ottwell and Miss Lalla Stanhope in their Laughable Sketch, 'A Husband for Twenty Minutes', Musical Minim (Gertrude) Vocalist and refined Musical Artiste, Raymond Synnott Vocal Comedian, Messrs. Newman and Downes...
Dates: 29 July 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 November 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.64
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr George Lashwood Comedian, Annie Howe Serio Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Harry Lester Vocal Comedian, Messrs. Clio and Rochelle American Variety Entertainers, Jesse Burton Descriptive Vocalist, Mr J. H. Hurst Vocal Comedian, Jos. Dixon Character Vocalist and Dancer, Miss Lily Marney Irish Comedienne. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.

Dates: 11 November 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 November 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.65
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Arthur Lennard Singer, Lizzie Fletcher Serio Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Bon-Bon and Artino Knockabout Gymnasts, Mr Will Evans (Late of Evans and Luxmore) Musical Eccentric Comedian and Acrobatic Dancer, Bessie Raine Descriptive Vocalist and Burlesque Actress, Mr W.R. Sykes Descriptive and Actor Vocalist, Little Emily Juvenile Comedian, The Brantfords in 'Prof. Muddlehead'. Monday Next, Millie Hylton. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers,...
Dates: 18 November 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 February 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.66
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Bonhairs Acrobatical Experts. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.

Dates: 3 February 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 March 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.67
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tom Costello Comedian and Vocalist, Miss Lily Lever Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Carl Ostend Characteristic and Female Impersonator, The Alexander Trio in Their Unique Eccentricities, Miss Daisy De Roy Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr George Watson Comic and Descriptive Vocalist, Miss Flo Varley Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Johnny Alexander’s Pantomime Company in 'The Actors!'. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool....
Dates: 9 March 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 16 March 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.68
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Oakland and Thompson American Duettists, Pugoal Brothers with Their Marvellous Performing and Wrestling Bears, Mr Tom Woottwell Loose-Legged Comedian, Miss Bessie Coleman Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Laurence Barclay Comedian and Dancer, Mr Harry Leander Comedian, Miss Florrie Villier Male Impersonator, Clarence and Bell Comedian and Dancers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type

Dates: 16 March 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 August 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.69
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Charles Seel Character Comedian, Miss Myra May Soprano Vocalist, Brothers Howard Second Sight Performance, Nora Conner Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Bennett and Martell Knockabout Comedians, Vocalists and Dancers, Little Tony Character Comedian, Miss Kate Toole London Burlesque Actress, Maud Needha Serio and Ballad Vocalist, George Spry and Florrie Austin Vaudeville Artistes. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.

Dates: 10 August 1896

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Type
Archival Object 353
Collection 2
Digital Record 3
 
Subject
Acrobats 63
Aerialists 4
Animal trainers 7
Animals 41
Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3