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:

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Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 June 1902

 Item

Reference code: 178R12.132

Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Abel and Welsh Clever Grotesque Eccentrics, George White’s Arabs, Royal Bioscope Carnival Procession in Birkenhead and Other Scenes Taken Saturday 21st June, 1902, Spriggs and Grundy Comedians and Dancers, The Musical Scena '20 minutes in Venice', Alf Levarini Wire Act, The Rozells Knockabout Triple Bar Performers, Lily Curries Descriptive Vocalist, Woodbee Wonders, Grand Coronation March Played by the Argyle Orchestra Under the Direction of...

Dates: 30 June 1902

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.237

Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Saker Harlow Trio! Continental Eccentrics, James Dubois, ‘Pongo’ the man monkey, gymnastic, entertainment, Letta and Minnie, Florence Chester Queen of African Coon and descriptive vocalist, Rose Conroy Serio-comic Vocalist and Burlesque Actress, Gus Harris vocal character comedian, Lily Lever ballad and descriptive vocalist, Ryan and Hal L-pantomimic act. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 28 August 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.238

Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Tom Leamore comedian, The Four Vampires pantomimists, Major Doyle Lilliputian Comedian, Robert Gilbert’s marvellous troupe of acrobatic dogs, The Three Sisters Slater-song and dance, Jesse Burton baritone and descriptive vocalist, The Vitascope, The 2 Emeralds duettists and expert dancers, Lily Marney Irish Comedienne. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 16 October 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.239

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. The Marvellous Rikfords, The Eight Eldorado Girls vocalists and dancers, Tony & Frances Ryder -comic bar act introducing the female clown and three trained monkeys, Tom Woottwell loose legged comedian, The New Macs Irish knockabout comedy, Dulcie Laing vocalist and skipping rope dancer, The Dorrells duettists, vocalists and dancers, The Vitascope, Preston and Balmaine Illustrated songs, Duets etc, introducing the latest American Coon songs. Red, blue and yellow type on white...

Dates: Week commencing Monday 23 October 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.240

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Julie Mackey, Gerald Mount Tyrolean and Descriptive Vocalist, Mark Melfords No 2 Company in ‘Between the turns or My Wife Won’t Let Me’, Sisters Leo characteristic Vocalists and Dancers, Chas. Russell character actor-vocalist, Collons’ troubadours lady vocalists and dancers, The Edison Thomas Vitascope, Nellie Stratton Serio-comic vocalist and dancer, Wilkie Bard character comedian. Red, blue and yellow type on white background. Printed by S Griffith & Co, Printers,...

Dates: Week commencing Monday 30 October 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.1

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Fillis’ South African Dogs, The Mannons Renowned Pantomimists, Valrose Serio-Comic Vocalist, Adolph Faue Wire Equilibrist and Expert Tumbler, Miss Ailsa Cairns Serio-Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr Alec Burnard Comedian, Author and Descriptive Vocalist, Mr Harry Zetter Eccentric Comedian and Dancer, Mr Walter Pussord The Great Necromancer and Patterer of the Day, assisted by Mr Sydney Lee. Monday Next, Tennyson and Gorman. Green type on off white background. Printed by S....

Dates: Week commencing Monday 10 February 1896

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.2

Scope and Contents

Birkenhead. Grand re-opening. The Killeno Family Male and Female Acrobats, Miss Myra Massey Double-voiced Vocalist, Captain Slingsby The Intercepted Letter, Mr Frank Seymour Eccentric Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Evalo and Roisso The Clown and the Turk, Mr J. Forde Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Prof. Norton Royal Court Conjuror and Card King, Poole’s Minstrels. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S. Griffith & Co, Printers, Liverpool.

Dates: Week commencing Monday 1 August 1892

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 10 November 1890

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.3

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Miss Maud Distin Lady Baritone, Mr Ben Fielding, Miss Nellie Gertine Double-voiced Vocalist, Mad’lle Desirie in ‘Mystia’ a series of charming illusions, Brothers Bondolas The Monarchs of the Air, Mr Andy Rhyne Eccentric Knockabout Vocalist, Acrobat & Grotesque, Miss Julia Hanson Burlesque Actress, Mr George Ripon Comedian, Miss Eva Johnson Serio-Ballad Vocalist, Mr Joe Fredricks 'negro' Comedian and Dancer, Mons. Dusoni’s Great and Unequalled Troupe of Trained Performing Dogs...

Dates: Week commencing 10 November 1890

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.4

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. George Power Comedian, Mr Harry Shaw Musical Eccentric Comedian, Miss Marion Lena Characteristic Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Harry Barker Descriptive Vocal Actor, The Watsons Irish Comedy Entertainers, Miss Marie Kean Burlesque Vocalist and Dancer, Mr Robert J, Carroll Comedian, Author and Dancer, Mildred Cohen Vocalist, Norton Prestidgitateur Seeing Is Believing, Carl Howlett’s Royal Improved Marionette Pantomime. Green and red type on off white background. Printed by S Griffith...

Dates: Week commencing Monday 26 December 1892

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.5

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Sergt. Simms’ Columbian Cadets, Twelve Genuine 'Negro' Boys from the Bahama Islands in ‘Le Bivouac’, Miss Nellie Gertine Character Baritone Vocalist, The Durhams Incomparable Dancers, The Minting Troupe in New Pantomimic Absurdity ‘Fun On the, Road’ introducing AH Minting, the World’s Greatest Trick, Cyclist’, Walter Pussord Premier Prestidigitateur, Illusionist and Humorist, Nassau Piccaninnies Moonlight Shadow dance, May Morton Serio-Comedienne and Characteristic Vocalist, Miss...

Dates: Week commencing Monday 14 January 1895

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, Week commencing 24 March 1890

 Item

Reference code: 178R27.6

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. Thatcher and Leopold American Black and White Face, Comedians, Miss Annie Sharland Serio-Comic and Ballad Vocalist, Mr George Langston Comedian and Dancer, Madame Sanyeah with Her Highly Trained Performing Dogs, and Wonderful Goat assisted by Little Letto, Acrobat, Carl Freeman Conjuror, illusionist, Wonder Worker, Card and Coin Manipulator, Messrs. Geraghty and Gilligan Conversational Comedians, Wal Curtis Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Mr George Ripon. Black and yellow type on...

Dates: Week commencing 24 March 1890

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Cyril Critchlow Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre of Variety Poster, 7 November 1897

 Item

Reference code: 178R53.20

Scope and Contents Birkenhead. The Famoust American Biograph invented by Herman Cassler, including royalty in private life, the Prince of Wales' tea party, Galtee more winning the Derby, military review at Aldershot, Henley Regatta, naval review at Spithead, the marvellous fire bridage turnout, The Empire State Express, the pillow fight, Booker & Narbis, Miss Jenny Valmore, Herbert Lisle, Sandy & Carl, Tom Mulvaney, Sisters Santley, Morney Cash, Florence and Lilian. Red and blue type on white...

Dates: 7 November 1897

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Bill Barnes Collection / Posters

Argyle Theatre Poster

 Digital Image

Reference code: 178-r012-022

Dates: 21 March 1892

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Argyle Theatre Poster

 Digital Record

Reference code: 178-r012-006

Dates: c1800 - 1899

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive

Argyle Theatre Scrapbooks, 1916 - 1940

 Sub-Series

Reference code: 178G33.1

Scope and Contents

Large scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings and reviews related to the Argyle theatre.

Dates: 1916 - 1940

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Scrapbooks

Book of Charitable Programmes, 1902 - 1911

 Item

Reference code: 178H18.5

Scope and Contents

Book listing all the acts and programmes brought to assist local charities, containing loose printed and handwritten programmes, handbills and tickets related to the events.

Dates: 1902 - 1911

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Business Records

Book of Letter Headed Paper, 4 March 1911 - 24 July 1912

 Item

Reference code: 178F25.1

Scope and Contents

Book of letter headed paper with carbon paper and copies of letters, 250p.p, 148 pages used.

Dates: 4 March 1911 - 24 July 1912

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Correspondence

Books of Bookings, 1868 - 1935

 Sub-Series

Reference code: 178H18.4

Scope and Contents

Books listing artists and acts bookings and payments.

Dates: 1868 - 1935

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Business Records

Books of Programmes, 1869 - 1902

 Sub-Series

Reference code: 178H18.1

Scope and Contents

Books of handwritten and Printed programmes, listing artists and performances.

Dates: 1869 - 1902

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Business Records

Books of Wages, 1865 - 1891

 Sub-Series

Reference code: 178H18.3

Scope and Contents

Books of wage payments.

Dates: 1865 - 1891

Found in: National Fairground and Circus Archive / Argyle Theatre Collection / Business Records

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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

∨ more

Boxing 16

Business 13

Circus 12

Clowning 14

Comedians 322

Contortionists 5

Dance 245

Dwarfs (Persons) 5

Equestrians 1

Fakirs 1

Family 1

Female impersonators 8

Fire eating 2

Freak shows 1

Gymnasts 13

Jugglers 36

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

Showwoman 1

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

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