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:
Argyle Theatre Collection
This collection contains a large number of posters as well as business records including records of artist bookings, accounts, scrapbooks, contracts and correspondence.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 February 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 24 February 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 31 March 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 9 June 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 June 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 13 October 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 November 1890
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 26 January 1891
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 February 1891
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Donaldson Brothers America’s Greatest and Most Marvellous performers, Mr. J.H. Haslam Comic Singer and Champion Dancer, Charlie Joy Serio-Comic Singer and Champion dancer, The Musical Mataros, Edgar Izon Vocalist, Mr Arthur West Vocalist, Nellie North Serio-Comic and Dancer, Forrest combination in "Sunshine after Rain". Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 6 April 1891
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Two Macs Irish Comedians, Peggy Pond vocalist, Sisters Weston Duettists and Dancers, Mr Alex Blane Tyrolean Vocalist and Swiss Warbler, Miss May Maccabe Serio-Comic Vocalist, Mr T.H. Spears Military and Comic Vocalist, Hibbs’ Quartette, Miss Ada Lundberg comedy, Next Week, April 13th, The Great Millis. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 November 1891
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 15 February 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. White, Cary and Brown American Speciality Team, Miss Grace Vaughan Serio-vocalist and character actress, Sailor Bailey Topical and Comic Vocalist, Mr Paul Pelham Vocalist, Miss Madge Kelley Serio-Comic Vocalist, Mr W.H. Grosvenor Political, Pathetic and Comic Vocalist, Mr Mark Milton Vocal Comedian and Grotesque Dancer, Miss Nellie Gertine Descriptive and Double-Voiced Vocalist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 7 March 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr Alf George and Miss Rubie Lee Comedians, Miss Kitty Darling Serio Comic, Mr Harry Leander Tyrolean Vocalist, Sisters Weston (Marie and Emily) vocalists and dancers, Miss Florrie Villa Military, Descriptive and Ballad Vocalist, Mr Fred Herbert Comic Vocalist, Sisters Glen Dancers, Messrs. Clarence and Bell Burlesque Knockabouts and Komic Kharacter Komedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 March 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Six Sisters Mathews ‘The Greatest Lady Artistes in the World, Mr Tom Traynor Vocal Comedian and Speciality Entertainer, Miss Minnie Welch Serio-Comic and Descriptive Vocalist and Dancer, Tracy and Lyons Irish Comedy, Mr Harry Sungham Vocalist and Plantation Boot Dancer, Miss Rose Vane Serio-Comic Vocalist and Champion Lady Slab Dancer, Mr Charlie Seel Comic Vocalist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and green type.
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 25 April 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 23 May 1892
Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Henry Wardroper and Miss Florence Rivier Satirists, Miss Violette Temple the Original 'Fisher Girl', Mr Charles Clarendon Character Comic Vocalist and Mimic, Mssrs. Maxford and O’Rell Eccentric Comedians, Miss Susie Dawson Serio-Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Bob Gates Big Boot Dancer, Mr Bert Delmar Comic Vocalist, Mr Fred Harvey Eccentric comedian and Vocalist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red and blue type.
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
- 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 + ∧ less