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:
Business Records, 1865 - 1940
Various items of business records including lists of artists, financial information, contracts and charitable events.
Contracts, 1909 - 1941
Contracts of employment dating from 1909 to 1940 but mainly 1941.
Correspondence, 1911 - 1912
Book of letter headed paper.
Cyril Critchlow Collection
Financial Ledgers, 1866 - 1893
Books containing financial information on expenditure, payments and takings.
Posters, c1880 - 1940
Large collection of Argyle Theatre posters.
Posters, c1887 - 2010
Circus, variety, pantomime and magic posters including Argyle theatre, Liverpool Empire, Blackpool Tower Circus, Robert Brothers, Austen Brothers, Sorcar, Vesta Tilley, Ken Dodd, Dan Leno, Florrie Forde and others.
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 28 December 1885
Prince of Wales Theatre, Birkenhead. Oscar Dubourg and Little Jim The Man Fish and The Boy Frog with illustration of water tank, The Langans, Miss Kate Dalton Ballad and Serio Comic Vocalist, Mr Fred Bennet Eccentric Irish Comedian, Vocalist and Expert Dancer, Bros. Lang, Craven and Donway The Sable Stars. ‘England’s Premier Chair, Turn Artistes, Mr George Ellison The Celebrated Negro Entertainer and Dancer. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Purple and blue type.
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 15 October 1888
Prince of Wales Theatre Poster, 29 October 1888
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Performers 351
- Music-halls 347
- Comedians 322
- Dance 245
- Motion pictures 185
- Musical performances 114
- Musicians 68
- Acrobats 63
- Pantomime 42
- Animals 41
- Jugglers 36
- Magic 35
- War 35
- World War, 1914-1918 22
- Ventriloquists 20
- Male impersonators 18
- Boxing 16
- Clowning 14
- Business 13
- Gymnasts 13
- Circus 12
- Minstrel shows 10
- South African War, 1899-1902 9
- Female impersonators 8
- Wrestling 8
- Animal trainers 7
- Puppets 7
- Skating 7
- Contortionists 5
- Dwarfs (Persons) 5
- Strong men 5
- Aerialists 4
- Shooting 4
- Sideshows 4
- Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3
- Tableaux vivants 3
- Thin people 3
- Fire eating 2
- Pierrot 2
- Wild west 2
- Equestrians 1
- Fakirs 1
- Family 1
- Freak shows 1
- Menageries 1
- Mimes 1
- Music 1
- Optical illusions 1
- Showman 1
- Showwoman 1
- Stunt performers 1
- Travel 1
- World War, 1939-1945 1
- Zoos 1