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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, 27 October 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.94
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Vesta Tilley The London Idol, Francois Equilibristic Act, Frank Hayward The Great Star, Foreman and Fannan The Aristocratic Irishman, Miss Rose Dornton Serio and Top-Boot dancer, Mad’lle Dagmar The bohemian Marvel, Mr Pete Bradie Amusing Negro Entertainer, Mr George Ripon. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, blue and black type.

Dates: 27 October 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 11 November 1889

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.96
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Tommy Burns Champion High Diver, Miss Rose Dornton Song and Dance Artiste, Clog, Pump and Tap-Boot dancer, Mr Will Hoare Novelty Dancer, Sisters Wright, Ada and Annie Characteristic Duettists, Dancers, Burlesque and American Song and Dance Artists, Mr Will Hebden Star Comedian, Swiss warbler and Mimic, Miss Lily Ma Pet Mimic and Serio Comic, Mr Tom Vernon Vocal Comedian Dancer, Instrumentalist and Novel Song and Dance Artiste, Pete Bradie Negro...
Dates: 11 November 1889

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 February 1890

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.97
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Rose Collinetti Mandoline and Banjo Soloist, American Song and Dance Artiste and Premier high Pedestal Performer, Ben Ray Old Veteran, Johnny Macdonald Vocalist and Tyroleon Warrior, Fay and Foy Ireland’s own Character Comedians and Dancers, Mr Frank Seymour Character Dialect Comedian and Premier Top-boot dancer, Miss Minnie Ray Serio and Dance Artiste, Milton’s Marvellous Marionettes. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Brown and...
Dates: 10 February 1890

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 September 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.100
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Prof. E.R. Dinez’s Wonderful Circus, Educated Ponies, Performing Goats and Smiler the Performing Donkey, Nelly Gannon Serio Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Harry Wright Character Comedian, Wilkie Bard Delineator of the Coster Art, J.H. Sephton Vocalist, Dancer and Speciality Instrumentalist, Lilly Langtry Comedian, Vocalist and Dancer, Nellie Stratton Serio Comic and Burlesque Actress Dutch Daly comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers,...
Dates: 30 September 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 November 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.101
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Mr. Arthur Lennard singer, Mr Will Evans(late of Evans and Luxmor) comedian and dancer, The Brantfords American stars in 'Prof. Muddlehead'. Monday next, Millie Hylton London Star and Burlesque Actress. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Green type.

Dates: 18 November 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 October 1895

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.102
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ara, Zebra and Vora Premier Pyramidists and Pedepulists of the World, Miss Lily Burnand Comedienne, Mitzi Japanese Juggler, The Wal Pink Comedy Troupe in 'An April Fool', The 2 Leonas Songs and Dances, Miss Flo Lacey Characteristic Comedienne, Agnes Liston Serio and Ballad Vocalist and Mandolinist, Mr Alec Hurley Comedian and Exponent of Coster Songs. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue type.

Dates: 28 October 1895

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 February 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.103
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Mannons Pantomimists, Fillis’ South African Dogs, Miss Lizzie Valrose Serio Comic Vocalist, Miss Ailsa Cairns Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Mr Alec Burnard Comedian and Vocalist, Adolph Faue Wire Equilibrist and Expert Tumbler, Mr Harry Zetter Eccentric Comedian and Dancer, Mr Walter Purssord Necromancer and Patterer Assisted by Mr Sydney Lee. Monday next, Tennyson and O’Gorman. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Green, red and...
Dates: 10 February 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 August 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.104
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Spry and Florrie Austin Comedy Act, Myra May Soprano Vocalist, Brothers Howard Unique Second Sight Performance, Bennett and Martell Knockabout Comedians, Vocalists and Dancers, Miss Kate Toole Burlesque Actress, Little Tony Character Comedian, Nora Connor Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer, Maud Needham Serio and Ballad Vocalist, Mr Charles Seel Character Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Blue, red and yellow type.

Dates: 10 August 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 September 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.105
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Ripon Character Comedian, Tom and Lillie English Whistler and Comedy Artiste, Leslie Trio Comedy and Burlesque Artistes Including The Mayor, Smallest Comedian, Andy Sullivan, Hibernian, Viceroy, Harry Leslie, Vocalist, Comedian and Dancer, Mr Arthur Forrest Comedian, Burlesque Artiste and Dancer, Marie Olive Soprano and Descriptive Vocalist, Sisters Guest Characteristic Duettists, Vocalists and Dancers, Lillie Downing Serio Comic Vocalist and...
Dates: 14 September 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 September 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.106
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Millie Hylton Comedienne and Burlesque Actress, Engist and Orsa Merry Moments With Mirth and Music, Miss Daisy De Roy Burlesque Actress and Tyrolean Vocalist, J.P. Curlett “Ashcroft’s Double” Irish Comedian and Dancer, Ethel Lindon Serio Comic, Vocalist and Dancer, Dodd and Dudd in Original Sketch, "I Showed ‘Em, or The Professor’s Dilemma", Carl Ostend Female Impersonator, Katie Eplett Ballad and Descriptive Vocalist, P. O’Brien Irish Comedian...
Dates: 21 September 1896

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 September 1896

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.107
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Haytors (Edie, Arthur and Frank) in 'His Nibs and His Nobs' Tom Eno Mimic, Daisy Meadows Serio Comic Vocalist and Dancer L’Incompushable Griff Comic Juggling Act, Lizzie Fletcher Comedienne, The Two Brewers Eccentric Comedians and dancing, Little Emily Juvenile Comedienne, Arthur Lennard Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, typeers, Liverpool. Red, green and yellow type.

Dates: 28 September 1896

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

Argyle Theatre Poster

 Digital Image
Reference code: 178-r012-022
Dates: 21 March 1892

Argyle Theatre Poster

 Digital Record
Reference code: 178-r012-006
Dates: c1800 - 1899

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

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

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

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

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

Books of Wages, 1865 - 1891

 Sub-Series
Reference code: 178H18.3
Scope and Contents

Books of wage payments.

Dates: 1865 - 1891

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