Skip to main content

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, 22 November 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.274
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. J.W. Rickaby Comedian, Betty Barclay and George Glover and at the Piano, E.Westby, Nella Allen American Soprano, Fred and May Comedy Act, Billy and Burke speciality on Wheels, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Douglas and Mona Comedy, Song and Dance Artistes, Billy Reeves Famous Picture Star. Blue and red type.

Dates: 22 November 1920

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 13 December 1920

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.275
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Mozart, Twelvetrees Trio Musical Interlude, Les Bastiens Acrobatics and Comedy, Trevor West and Hinsby Two Boys and a Piano, Dan E. Doyle and Myra Eyton Comedy Couple, Ray Varle Ballad Vocalist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Harry Herbert Comedian. Blue and red type

Dates: 13 December 1920

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, 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, 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, 7 March 1921

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.283
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Whit Cunliffe Lancashire Comedian, Lucy Brennan Comedienne, Ford and Lewis, the Two Navy Cuts, James Hunter Society Raconteur, Carvet and Verena Dancers, Bay Russell and Sophie Forrest In Musical trifle, 'Outed', Cinders and a Spark Vocal Scena, Brown’s Royal Bioscope in a Series of Novel and Interesting Pictures, Rosie Lloyd Comedienne. Blue and red type.

Dates: 7 March 1921

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 1 June 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.300
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 1 June 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 June 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.301
Scope and Contents

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.

Dates: 8 June 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 August 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.302
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Carr Lynn Mimetic Comedian, Monica and Pat Daly, Helen Binnie Comedienne, Terri and June Music and Dancing, Raby and Dell in Mirth and Melody, The Argyle Orchestra Under the Direction of Mr. W. H. Sydney Jones, Kathleen Caldecott English Concertina Playing, Mdlle. Al-Wright Presents Her Comedy Circus, Pathe’s Super News Gazette. Black and red type.

Dates: 10 August 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 September 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.303
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Rupert Hazell and Elsie Day in 'Harmonylarity', Max Hoffman Comedian, Frank Tully. Black Face Comedian and Jack and Lyle Jeffries Ritz Sisters, Jean and Leslie Juvenile International Speciality Dancers, Maise Hopwood Comedienne Dancer, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, The Argyle Orchestra Under The Direction of Mr. W. H. Sydney Jones, Finch and Babs Comedy Knockabout and Acrobatic Dancing. Black and red type.

Dates: 14 September 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 November 1931

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.304
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Harry Grunden and Hec. McLennan, The Song Crackers, Frank Wilson, a Band in Himself, Jo Sisters and Jon Musical and Dancing Act, Barry Barnes Comedian, Pepino with His Comedy Burlesque Circus, Ben Said, The Funjorer, Pathe’s Super News Gazette, The Argyle Orchestra Under The Direction of Mr. W. H. Sydney Jones, Mitchel and Peru Comedians. Black and red type.

Dates: 30 November 1931

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 December 1934

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.305
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Music Mirth and Melody for our 66th Birthday, Jenny Howard Revue Comedienne with Percy King, Cecil Lyle Illusionist, Tommy Trainor Clever Comedian, Clara Kenton Violinist, Tom Merry Merseyside Dock Poet, Pat McKay Irish Dancer, The Argyle Orchestra Under The Direction of Mr. W. H. Sydney Jones, Universal News Topics of the Day, Reg. and Ronny Dale, Two Argyle stars in Modern Harmony. Black and blue type.

Dates: 17 December 1934

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 November 1900

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.306
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 6 Brothers Luck in new Pantomimic Absurdity 'The Hermit', Animated Photographs of General Buller and the C.I.V’s. return to England Produced by the Royal Bioscope, The Dorrells Duettists, Vocalists and Dancers, Charles Seel Comedian, Martha Gymnast, Maude Needham Serio Comic and Ballad Vocalist, T.W. Barrett The Nobleman’s Son, Marion Keats Serio Comedienne and Dancer, New Macs Knockabout Comedians. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool....
Dates: 19 November 1900

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 April 1898

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.307
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Eugene Stratton, the originator of a quaint Style of Negro comedy, song and dance, Emmie Ames serio comic vocalist, The Fothergills farcical absurdities, The Six Ramoneurs Vienesse Lady vocalists and dancers, Lord George Ayton comedian, Ernestine Fromme dancer, Walter King Character comedian, Bella and Bijou singers. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow type.

Dates: 18 April 1898

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 March 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.208
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Wee Georgie Wood in 'Baby in India', Beaumont Collins, Renowned Actress, and West-End London, Company in Domestic Comedy Sketch, 'Bed-Fellows', Mary Mars in Scena 'In the Shadow of the Pyramids', Phil Rees’ Stable Lads in 'After the trial', Tom E. Dean Comedian, Nellie Lewis Chorus Songster, Jack W. Brooke Yorkshire Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Cosgrove and Burns Comedy Duettists, J.P. Ling in Laughable Burlesque. Printed by S. Griffith and Co,...
Dates: 31 March 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 April 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.209
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Dorothy Ward Principal Boy and Musical Comedy Artiste, Shaun Glenville Comedian, Mrs. Walder Wallis Presents the 6 Puritan Maids in Vocal And Instrumental Entertainment, Torino American jugglers, J.H. Wakefield Coon Character Delineator, Jenny and Joe Comedy Songs and Neat Dances, The Mannings Acrobatic and Equilibristic Display, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, The Three Lyres (H.L. Harvey, F.C.Henderson and S.B. Lewis) American Comedy Musical Trio. Printed...
Dates: 7 April 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 April 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.210
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Conrad and Whidden American Ragtime, Charles Norton Mimetic Comedian, The Rawsons Musical Entertainers, Sisters Marion Popular Duettists, Dave Carter Irish Tenor, Evelyn Bergen Vocalist and Dancer, The Westwoods Cycle Act, Lawrence Barclay Character Comedian, O’Gorman Bros. Clever Songs and Neat Dances, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Adam Tomlinson Tyneside Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 14 April 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 June 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.211
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Willette Whitaker Vocalist Assisted by F. Wilbur Hill, Valazzi Juggler, Pedipulator and Aviator, Carr’s Juvenile American Ragtime Octette, Stacey and Williams In Their Drawing Room Interlude, Beatrice Allen Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Bella Chevaux Sporano Vocalist, Shirley and Ransome In Their Episode of Coster Life, 'The Seperation Order', George D’Albert Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 June 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 June 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.212
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Original Rab and Teenie in 'Bunty Pulls the Strings', George Tawde and Eva McRoberts in Scotch Comedy 'Elder’s Hours', Mike S. Whallen Extempore and Rapid Fire Humorist, Cissie Curlette Comedienne, The Three Its (Ciss, Will and Fred) Vocalists and Dancers, Blake and Granby Comedy Duologue, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, The Three Dales Vocal and Instrumental Speciality, Miss Frances McNulty Song Dance and Costume, Marny Cash Quaint Comedian. Printed by...
Dates: 9 June 1913

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