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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, 29 September 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.216
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Aubrey Fitzgerald and Frank Hill in Farce 'Getting the Bird', Horace Hunter and Company Including Miss Lily Hammersley in 'The Years Between', Alec Hurley Character and Coster Comedian, The Three Rascals (Charles, Monty and Walter) American Vaudeville, Alick Lauder Scottish Character Songs, Estelle Collette Young Violinist, Milner and Storey, Bert Rayburn Quaint Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Harry Edson and his Wonderful Dog Doc. Printed by S....
Dates: 29 September 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 November 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.217
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. The Two Bobs (Bob Adams and Bob Alden) song and comedy, Maide Scott Comedienne, H.O. Wills Comedian, The Kebbles Duettists, Julian Mack The Topical Talker, Roma and Roman Classical Musicians, Billy Hobbs Coon Impersonator, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Little Freddie Hackin Boy Quick Change Artist. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 3 November 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 8 December 1913

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.218
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Mozart Comedian, The Record Quartette South African Novelty Banjo Act, J.H. Wakefield Coon delineator, Prue Purl Entertainer, Harold Baker, Carter Livesey and Lillian Roseberry Comedy Sketch, Freda Waring Vocal Comedienne, Lorenz Four Vocalists and Acrobatic Dancers, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Woody, Wood and Wells Acrobatic Absurdity. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 8 December 1913

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 26 January 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.219
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Miss Constance Drever with Mr Victor Marmont at the Piano, Mann and Franks Singing Comedy Act, Murfayne Xylophone King, Elsie Kerry Comedienne, Christie Duo Comedy and Dancing Team, Farrer and Griffiths’ Merry Mascots Vaudeville, Fred Evans in Original Burlesque, "Dreams of Oliver Twist", Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Jack Thomas Comedian. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 26 January 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 February 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.220
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Lipinski’s 40 Dog Comedians, A Wonderful Animal Pantomime, Arthur Lennard Actor-Vocalist, J.W. Wilson and Nellie Waring Comedy Duo, Gipsy Woolf and Girls Including Doff Dee in Musical Scene, 'Jimmy Valentine’s Pat!', Billy Simpson Comedian, Stacey and Williams Comedy, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Harry Thornton and Emma Wagner American Vocalist and Instrumental Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 February 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 March 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.221
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian, Mollie Lindsay and company in Scotch Sketch 'The Washing House Key!', Nelson Jackson Storyteller and Entertainer, Sisters Jerome Duettists and Dancers, Lloyd Morgan Comedian, Bros. Curran Boxing Comedians, Cooke Juggling Joker, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Donovan Family Musical Act. Printed by S. Griffith and Co, Printers, Liverpool. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 March 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 30 March 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.222
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Billy Arlington and Company Comedy Sketch, Daisy Stirling, Nat Clifford Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope The Grand National 1914, Marie Blythe Descriptive Vocalist, George Crowther Light Comedian, Evans, Harris and Peek Song and Dance, The O’Mahonys Irish Songs. Blue and red type.

Dates: 30 March 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 18 May 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.223
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Gilby Lancashire Comedian, Frederick Sylvester and Company, World’s Smallest Acrobats, The New Macs Knockabout Comedians, Patterers and Dancers, Rita Rhylle Dainty Comedian, Arthur Young Vocal Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope The Curse of War, Sam Kelly Scotch Comedian, The Kirbys Versatile Comedy and Burlesque Team. Blue and red type.

Dates: 18 May 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 22 June 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.224
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 2 Coleys, Fay and Fay American Quartette Novel Negro Comedy Song and Dance, Albert Letine Burlesque Character Studies, The Alf Leonard Trio! Musical Combination, Jock Mills Scotch Comedian, Gene Gordon Comic Magician, The Sages Comedy Act, Billy French Dancer, Mabel Osborn Vocalist, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Molly Wells Comedienne. Blue and red type.

Dates: 22 June 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 29 June 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.225
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Hickey’s Comedy Circus Including the Comical Unridable Mule, Bertram Banks Mimicry of Children, Geo. Rae Eccentric Scot and Dancer, Little Elsie Prince Dainty Songs and Dances, J. Olrac’s Company of Comedians Wagner, the Concertina King, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Billy Simpson Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 29 June 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 27 July 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.226
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Pierce and Roslyn Piano Accordion, Mrs. Graeme Coring and Company-In Scotch Comedy, 'The Heid Of The Hoose', James Stewert Ragged Piano Virtuoso, Verno and Lambert Eccentric Knockabout Comedians, Dorothy Millar Burlesque Artiste, Tom E. Dean Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Poluski Brothers (Will and Sam) In Their Latest Poluskisms. Blue and red type.

Dates: 27 July 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 August 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.227
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Bert La Mont the Singing Comedian and Cowboys, Jack Thomas Comedian, Nora O’Gorman Assisted by the Frayne Bros. in descriptive Songs and Smart Dances, Auber Musical Monarch, Alice Maude Comedienne and Male Impersonator, Ben Albert Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Pipifay and Panlo Clowns. Blue and red type.

Dates: 3 August 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 17 August 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.228
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Maide Scott Comedienne, Stanley Brett and Company Including Miss Billie Sinclair Comedy Sketch, Frank Powell Patter Comedian, Daisy and her Dots Singing and Dancing, Rich and Rich Comedian, Elsie Roby Burlesque Impressions, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Duncan and Godfrey Coster Delineators. Blue and red type.

Dates: 17 August 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 14 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.229
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Jack and Evelyn, The Harmony Four Musical Comedy, Alick Lauder Scottish Character Comedian, Lily Leonhard Soprano Vocalist, Harold Baker Comedian, The Vedras Comic Acrobats, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, George D’Albert Comedian and Descriptive Vocalist. Blue and red type.

Dates: 14 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 21 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.230
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Charles Austin Assisted by Company of London Artistes in 'Parker On the Pane', The Kebbles (Nora and Edith) Character Studies, Adam Tomlinson Comedian, The Joannys French Shadowgraphics, Lucille Benstead Prima Donna, Walter Stanley Tyneside Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope, Arthur Aiston Song Character Impersonator. Blue and red type.

Dates: 21 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 28 September 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.231
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Ella Retford Comedienne, Bay Russell Comedian, Musical Comedy, Rosei Archer humorous Songs and Sketches at the Piano, Mr and Mrs Harold Finden Sketch Artistes, The Evans and Alton Troupe Comedy Acrobatics and Pantomimists, Fred Emney and Louie Tinsley in Episode Entitled, 'A Sister to Assist Her', Palette’s Novel Performing Dogs, Arthur C. Clifton Versatile Comedian, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Yamamoto and Koyoshi Japanese...
Dates: 28 September 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 19 October 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.232
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. George Graves Comedian in 'Koffo of Bond Street', Nora Delany Liverpool Pantomime Idol, The Four Curtis’s Dancing Act, The Three Comerfords Comedy, Bertha De Pas Character Comedienne and Dancer, Syd Moorhouse Novelty Vocal Act, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Victor Kelly Comedian. Blue and red type.

Dates: 19 October 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 2 November 1914

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.233
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Staley’s Transformation Act, The Musical Coopers, Robb Wilton Confidential Comedian, Alexandre and Hughes Musical Comedians, Edna Payne Violinist, The Holsons Comedians and Dancers, William Anderson Operatic Basso, Kitty Clinton Versatile Comedienne, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Latest War Pictures, Tom E. Finglass The Original Cowboy Coon. Blue and red type.

Dates: 2 November 1914

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 3 January 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.234
Scope and Contents

Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. Nixon Grey Comedian, The 3 Scamps American Speed Boys and a Piano, Harry Hudson in Pianohumour, Ena Dayne Juvenile Comedienne, Brooklyn Comedy 4, Royce Babs and Royce Singing and Dancing Act, Albert Letine Burlesque Impersonations, Brown’s Royal Bioscope Showing Daily News in Animation and the Latest War Pictures, Nicol and Martin Comedy Cycling Act, The 7 Bramusas Brass Band Extravaganza. Blue and red type.

Dates: 3 January 1916

Argyle Theatre of Varieties Poster, 10 January 1916

 Item
Reference code: 178R12.235
Scope and Contents Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead. 'Step This Way' Musical Comedy Melange Including:, Elven Hedges (of Hedges Brothers and Jacobson), Tom Bryan Welsh Harpist, Billy Leonard (of Norman-Leonard Trio), Marie Montague, Rowland Green, Alf Leonard with a violin (Of Norman-Leonard Trio), Ivy Howard, Peggy Hope, Gordon James, Isabelle Dillon Musical Comedy Artiste, The Four Oriental Queens and a Rosebud Garden of Lovely Girls, Gene Gordon Comedy Magician, Barry Leighton and Sadi Melville...
Dates: 10 January 1916

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Type
Archival Object 353
Collection 2
Digital Record 3
 
Subject
Acrobats 63
Aerialists 4
Animal trainers 7
Animals 41
Boxer Rebellion (1900-1901) 3