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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, 2 February 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.220
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Lipinski’s 40 Dog Comedians, A Wonderful Animal Pantomime, Arthur Lennard Actor-Vocalist, J.W. Wilson and Nellie Waring Comedy Duo, Gipsy Woolf and Girls Including Doff Dee in Musical Scene, 'Jimmy Valentine’s Pat!', Billy Simpson Comedian, Stacey and Williams Comedy, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Harry Thornton and Emma Wagner American Vocalist and Instrumental Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 February 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 March 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.221
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian, Mollie Lindsay and company in Scotch Sketch 'The Washing House Key!', Nelson Jackson Storyteller and Entertainer, Sisters Jerome Duettists and Dancers, Lloyd Morgan Comedian, Bros. Curran Boxing Comedians, Cooke Juggling Joker, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Donovan Family Musical Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 March 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 March 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.222
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Billy Arlington and Company Comedy Sketch, Daisy Stirling, Nat Clifford Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope The Grand National 1914, Marie Blythe Descriptive Vocalist, George Crowther Light Comedian, Evans, Harris and Peek Song and Dance, The O’Mahonys Irish Songs. Blue and red type.

Dates: 30 March 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 May 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.223
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Gilby Lancashire Comedian, Frederick Sylvester and Company, World’s Smallest Acrobats, The New Macs Knockabout Comedians, Patterers and Dancers, Rita Rhylle Dainty Comedian, Arthur Young Vocal Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope The Curse of War, Sam Kelly Scotch Comedian, The Kirbys Versatile Comedy and Burlesque Team. Blue and red type.

Dates: 18 May 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 June 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.224
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 2 Coleys, Fay and Fay American Quartette Novel Negro Comedy Song and Dance, Albert Letine Burlesque Character Studies, The Alf Leonard Trio! Musical Combination, Jock Mills Scotch Comedian, Gene Gordon Comic Magician, The Sages Comedy Act, Billy French Dancer, Mabel Osborn Vocalist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Molly Wells Comedienne. Blue and red type.

Dates: 22 June 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 June 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.225
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Hickey’s Comedy Circus Including the Comical Unridable Mule, Bertram Banks Mimicry of Children, Geo. Rae Eccentric Scot and Dancer, Little Elsie Prince Dainty Songs and Dances, J. Olrac’s Company of Comedians Wagner, the Concertina King, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Billy Simpson Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 29 June 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 July 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.226
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Pierce and Roslyn Piano Accordion, Mrs. Graeme Coring and Company-In Scotch Comedy, 'The Heid Of The Hoose', James Stewert Ragged Piano Virtuoso, Verno and Lambert Eccentric Knockabout Comedians, Dorothy Millar Burlesque Artiste, Tom E. Dean Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Poluski Brothers (Will and Sam) In Their Latest Poluskisms. Blue and red type.

Dates: 27 July 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 August 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.227
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Bert La Mont the Singing Comedian and Cowboys, Jack Thomas Comedian, Nora O’Gorman Assisted by the Frayne Bros. in descriptive Songs and Smart Dances, Auber Musical Monarch, Alice Maude Comedienne and Male Impersonator, Ben Albert Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Pipifay and Panlo Clowns. Blue and red type.

Dates: 3 August 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 August 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.228
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Maide Scott Comedienne, Stanley Brett and Company Including Miss Billie Sinclair Comedy Sketch, Frank Powell Patter Comedian, Daisy and her Dots Singing and Dancing, Rich and Rich Comedian, Elsie Roby Burlesque Impressions, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Duncan and Godfrey Coster Delineators. Blue and red type.

Dates: 17 August 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.229
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jack and Evelyn, The Harmony Four Musical Comedy, Alick Lauder Scottish Character Comedian, Lily Leonhard Soprano Vocalist, Harold Baker Comedian, The Vedras Comic Acrobats, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, George D’Albert Comedian and Descriptive Vocalist. Blue and red type.

Dates: 14 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.230
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Charles Austin Assisted by Company of London Artistes in 'Parker On the Pane', The Kebbles (Nora and Edith) Character Studies, Adam Tomlinson Comedian, The Joannys French Shadowgraphics, Lucille Benstead Prima Donna, Walter Stanley Tyneside Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Arthur Aiston Song Character Impersonator. Blue and red type.

Dates: 21 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.231
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ella Retford Comedienne, Bay Russell Comedian, Musical Comedy, Rosei Archer humorous Songs and Sketches at the Piano, Mr and Mrs Harold Finden Sketch Artistes, The Evans and Alton Troupe Comedy Acrobatics and Pantomimists, Fred Emney and Louie Tinsley in Episode Entitled, 'A Sister to Assist Her', Palette’s Novel Performing Dogs, Arthur C. Clifton Versatile Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Yamamoto and Koyoshi Japanese...
Dates: 28 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 October 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.232
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Graves Comedian in 'Koffo of Bond Street', Nora Delany Liverpool Pantomime Idol, The Four Curtis’s Dancing Act, The Three Comerfords Comedy, Bertha De Pas Character Comedienne and Dancer, Syd Moorhouse Novelty Vocal Act, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Victor Kelly Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 19 October 1914

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, 3 November 1902

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.309
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead . Woodward’s Wonderful Performing Sea Lions and Seals, Musicians, actors, mimics, comedians and singers, Introducing Leo, the Monstre North Pole juggler, balancer and Equilibrist, Richard H. Douglass comedian and entertainer, Captain Slingsby ventriloquist expert, Chas. Seel comedian and dancer, Cribb and Cribb acrobatic Eccentrics, Maude Needham serio comedienne, The Royal Bioscope, Harry Glynn’s Comic Sketch Team, American Comedy Four. Printed by S....
Dates: 3 November 1902

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 December 1905

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.310
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Astley’s American Circus, Lily Marney character comedienne, Jack and Evelyn song and dance, Lilian Lowe ballad and descriptive vocalist, E.J. Sheldon comedian whislter and dancer, Brothers Adderley duettists and mimics, Arthur Gilbert character comedian, Manning’s Entertainers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow type.

Dates: 11 December 1905

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 November 1918

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.311
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Noni and Partner French clown, Reg Bolton Comedian, Miss Ellis Drake and Company in New Scotch Playlet 'Oh Mother', Dolly Victorian and Assistant trick cyclist, Thornley Dodge skits, songs and sketches, Dainty Doris Comedienne, Sisters Fraser vocalists and dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Susie Marney comedienne. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 18 November 1918

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, 13 November 1911

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.314
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ketty King male impersonator, Victor Kelly comedian and dancer, Alexandre and Hughes comic Patterers, Walter Stanley comedian, Rose and Challoner comedy sketch Team, Phil Bransby Coster Comedain, Victor’s Juveniles miniature mimics, Tom E. Hughes, Kinemacolor, the only existing Stereoscopic life-motion pictures. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 13 November 1911

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