I have just come across this website. I have been trying to find out about a play that the lovely Barbara Murray starred in at the Manchester Palace. We can't remember the title. It was probably either in the 90's or maybe the 80's. I thought we had the programme, as we have many, but sadly can't find this one. Can you, or any of your guests remember.

My grandparents Robert and Kate Halpin lived at 208 Pearse Street, attached to the Queens Theatre from about 1917 until the building was demolished in the 70s. My father was born along with his brothers and sisters were born there and I spent a lot of time there during my childhood (I am now 69 and live in Canada). I remember numerous times climbing through the window of my grandmothers kitchen onto the roof, and into the "Gods" or upper part of the theatre!! I was delighted to find your article on line and would be interested in hearing from you and if possible obtaining any pictures you may have of the old Queens.
sincerely
Paula Halpin

hi
i am looking for 2 flyers from the pier theatre bournemouth george and mildred 1977 and last of the summer wine 1984

please reply direct to kevin.gilbert44@hotmail.co.uk

thank you

Just a small detail, but I hope it will be of interest ... In your excellent piece about Cardiff theatres you have a Google photo of the Theatre Royal. Built into the stone work on the western wall is the outline of a church. It is a memorial to St Mary's church, the parish church that occupied the site until the 17th century when it was flooded by the river Taff and had to be demolished.

Hello
Can anyone help regarding placing a date on an undated Theatre Programme please. The Programme is for Jack and Jill at the Prince of Wales Theatre Birmingham and starred Arthur Askey and Cora Goffin. There is an advert in the Programme placed by Low Moor College which included the words "closed owing to the War" so presumably the Pantomime opened between 1939 and 1945.

as far back as i remember i was 5 years old my mother worked at the hipperdrome in the ticket office. my sister and i use to spend most nights there
as my father run the local taxi rank .also the manager i think is name was fred or frank radley stayed at our house on show days ,and went home to liverpool on sundays.my sister and i still talk about all good times we had there we had our own seats watched every show .and then back stage after the show. then it was fish and chips alround in tha bar after the show.also my grand mother was one of the original tiller girls on the same billing
as charlie chaplin. we also have visits from kitty in old mother riley.i could go on on

regards graham

Have been reading your interesting notes re Regal/Gaumont Cinema. You ask for comment on Apollo/Princes Cinema
I remember this cinema from my boyhood.(I am now 92) .Admission cost was front stalls 4d back s talls 6d.
Often d escribed as a 'flea pit', it was, to me a wonderful place. I remember that if a film with an 'A' category was shown, the proprietor - called Chapman - would eject anyone he considered under the age of 16.! It also had a tiny stage and Friday night was called 'Variety Night' with an intermission of several acts of variable quality.
Nevertheless I saw many well known films there - both silent and 'talkie'. Among them the Marx Brothers an d Charlie Chaplin shorts. Wonderful days.!

Fascinating web site. You start looking at one item, and just get carried away.

I was very involved with the Theatre Royal Hyde, from around 1967, when I was acall-boy on one of the amateau shows, going onto learn lots of stage craft, in particular stage lighting, before it became a full time cinema. I continued as a part time projectionist there until the mid eighties, and have many happy memories. I would love to see the place open again, as a multi use building.

IN THE LATE 50'S I RAN A SKIFFLE GROUP KNOWN AS THE SATTELITES AND PERFORMED LOCALLY IN THE MANCHESTER AREA.
OUR BIG MOMENT ARRIVED WHEN A SKIFFLE COMPETITION WAS HELD AT THE NEW MANCHESTER HIPPODROME.
JIM DALE WAS TOP OF THE BILL WITH THE VIPERS SKIFFLE GROUP.
WE MANAGED TO GET TO THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE COMPETITION AND THEN OUR MOMENT OF FAME WAS OVER.
WE EVEN TOOK ALONG A COACH LOAD OF SUPPORTERS AND THE THEATRE WAS FULL.
GREAT MEMORIES

I have been searching for the memorial to Grace Darling in the PARK. Where is it?

I am trying to find a connection between Grace Darling and the Watson family from Fife....who went to South Africa in 1912-+

I REALLY WANT TO SEE THE TREE, PLANTED IN BATTERSEA AND I WANT TO GET IT RECOGNISED...

your article is amazing, I am so shocked to see such beautiful illustrations and so sad that all has been demolished..
cheryl watson

This website is like one of those books you pick up to check on an entry and after an hour of looking at other pages you have forgotten what you were looking for. Wonderful, best site I have found in years

Would like to hear from anyone, who is related to William Stewart Cruikshank, Builder of the Kings Theatre Edinburgh.

Hello

Ihave just discovered this site %26 am very pleased to see that it mentions my maternal grandfather (Mr Summerfield). Sadly he passed away before I was born but my maternal grandmother told me many stories about him.

hi,i was just looking up info on andie caine,because i have loads of pics of music hall from my great aunt dolly king vesta.from 1900's onwards.around leeds and bradford.even the origenel sheet music.pics of jack audleys verieties,piroes from 1920's,

Thank-you for your work in producing a wonderful website dedicated to British theatre performers and the buildings in which they performed or were shown on screen. I was pleased to see the article on the Astoria Theatre in Brighton which has a picture of my Grandfather, C. H. Bell who was very involved in the technical side of the British Theatre industry at that time. Among other endeavours he was also a part owner of the London Casino at the Prince Edward Theatre in the late 1930s.

It was great to discover this excellent website. Am working my way through it all, and was pleased to find references to the Broadhead Circuit!

Thanks for allowing the use of the Fetter Lane picture to illustrate my family history, Perry family lived ther in the early 1700's.

I worked in the Alhambra Glasgow the Pavilion I was also lucky enough to have been a showman on the limes in the London Palladium. The site brought back so many wonderful memories. I worked the grand master lighting board for 2 years and then was chief electrics at the Pavilion. There are so few of us old, showmen left. Often talk about those times but so much had gone and of course when people hear them they often ask if I made them up. Thanks again.

fantastic love your photos of the pier in a bad state of repair

Many thanks for writing the article on Donald Auty. We worked together during the 1950s and I have tried for years to find out what happened to him. I lost touch over the years but saw him on the Michael Grade "this was Variety" show that was lent to me to view. It seems you do some wonderful work - do carry on

I had to visit this site today and was lucky enough to be given a small guided tour. One of the things that surprised me was the vacuum cleaner. It was a large piece of machinery located in the basement, with sockets in the Theatre, where the cleaners would plug in, and the dust and muck, sucked into the machine in the basement. Many thanks to the staff for their time.

A new site has just been launched - www.TheBelleOfNewYork.com
Any suggestions on how it can progress is greatly appreciated, as this site will be defined by the world community
thanks

A link to the Comedy/Gaiety Thetre in Manchester

I was a Windmill Girl in 1963/64 and have just come across a photo on the website of a reunion that took place in July this year.I recognize one of the girls as they show old photo's from the programme.her name is Margaret Nicolson and we lived together with an other one of the dancer's called Selina in Berners ST. Margaret introduced me to my first husband.The only photo I have from my windill day's is the one in the programme .Please can you put me in contact with Margaret or Margaret Law nee Cooper .It will be 50 years in 2014 since the windmill closed .I am now 65 and would so like to meet up with other windmill girls and boys i live in Oxfordshire now so in not too far away from London hoping to hear from someone .

I loved the Finsbury Park Empire. My Nan was a cleaner there and at the Plimsoll Arms close by. She lived in Prah Road, and knew many of the stars. I remember meeting Tiny Ross, who was in a Harmonica Gang, and was so funny. I was only about 7 and I remember he gave me money. My Dad's firm took children of workers to the Empire pantomime at Christmas. I remember seeing Dickie Valentine in Aladdin, and waited for his autograph at the stage door. He came out still in costume and make-up, and called me darling when he gave me a signed photograph. I also remember Dave King playing Buttons and he too came to the stage door and signed autographs. I hope my memory is not haywire on these things, I wonder if there is any way to check? I remember recognizing the Empire in Cliff Richard's film The Young Ones, and was so excited because I'd been there as a child, and can still remember the amazement when the girls came out in their fluorescent coloured can-can skirts, I'd never seen anything like it. Thank you so much for this site.

This link goes to a Francis Frith postcard which shows the theatre and the old pub.

HTH

Mick

was glad to see that the theatre royal was not forgotten in Bradford. I am interested in the pub next door, the royal standard hotel- I wondered if you had come across any pictures or information regarding the old pub in your research. I understand that both buildings have disappeared - the pub in 1997- and the theatre I loved as a child even if it was a cinema where I first saw Lady and the tramp and afterward, acquired my first dog (which started a love affair with dogs for the rest of my 65 years) I would love some pictures of Manningham lane before the demolition if anyone has any. Thank you for your site which offered hope in tracking the lovely theatre - a pity it is no longer there.

I just wanted to send out a heartfelt thank you for the incredible theatre history you have written down and compiled. I am absolutely in love with this website and have spent hours and hours learning about the theatres I visit so often. Do keep up the good work - it's all absolutely fantastic.
Once again, thank you.

Simply to say many thanks for a lovely display of information. My father with a circus type act - he was from Scotland and travelling widely Europe and the USA - came to the Brixton Empress for performances in the late twenties early 1930's - he eventually met my mother hereabouts and they settled as he then had to leave the circus and variety theatre scene. Anyway lovely see these pages. When I was young in the forties and fifties I visited the Empress for various entertainments.

I am the Grandson of Alfred Collins-Music Hall Stage-Manager and the-first Film Producer for "Gaumonts" [from 1902.] Colonel A C Bromhead was Grandads old boss at "Gaumonts". My Great Uncle-Charles Collins was a Music Hall Songwriter and wrote the Song that Marie Lloyd made famous ["Don't Dilly Dally on the Way"] etc. My late Father-Percy acted, as a child, with his brother Stanley in some of Granfathers Films and i have come across Film of-some of these. Colonel A C Bromhead was possibly the Brother or Cousin of Gonville Bromhead who commanded with Jams Herriot Chard at the "Rorke's Drift" action about wich the modern Film "Zulu" was made. [And I have been in contact with Ian Monroe a Great Nephew of Marie Lloyd.] Colonel A C Bromhead led a Film Deputation to Tsarist Russia-until 1917. My father Percy was a "Wireless Telegraphic Morse Operator", as a young man aboard the "HMS Cochrane" mission which was sent out by George V to try to rescue his relatives-the Russian Royal Family and Party from the Russian Revolution. At "Rorkes Drift" in January 1879 there WAS-ONE "Collins" [Thomas] and he was one of the survovors there of the one hundred or so who faced 4,000 Zulu Warriors-many of whom had captured some of our rifles from their massacering 1,400 British Troops at "Isandhwandra" the previous day. Add to this, there was a very old rusting "Boxer-Henry" rifle, as issue for the British troops at Rorke's Drift, rusting away on the Greenhouse floor at our Clapham home-i know of up till 1962. I think thats the gist of what i know relevan here but also have other infornmation which i may not realise is of significance! Please contact me if you wish for further information as, i too wish to trace my Ancestry! sincerely, William Collins. billcollins1943@yahoo.co.uk 07986665071

I came across your article in an idle moment. I have a passion for opera and have an original copy of the 1875 picture of the proposed opera house from The Graphic magazine. It's been on the wall so long we'd forgotten it was there, and never knew anything about it until today. How interesting. Many thanks.

AFTER GRADUATING FROM THE LONDON ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND DRAMATIC ART AT THE TENDER AGE OF 17, I HAD MY FIRST JOB IN 'HUDDERSFIELD REPERTORY". MY REAL NAME WAS ANGELA STEGGLES -- THEY GAVE ME THE STAGE NAME OF " ANGELA KAYE" . WE PERFORMED EVERY NIGHT PLUS MATINEE ON WED. AND SAT. A DIFFERENT PLAY EVERY WEEK- SO AFTER MONDAY NIGHTS "OPENING" WE REHEARSED ACT 1 TUESDAY, ETC., THRO THE WEEK, AND OPENED WITH WHOLE NEW PLAY THE NEXT MONDAY. ONE PRAYED FOR SMALL PARTS!! MY DIGS WERE WITH A MRS. HOULTON AT "HILLSIDE" PRIVATE HOTEL. CAN'T REMEMBER NAME OF THE ROAD, BUT I WALKED FROM THEATRE UNDER RAILWAY BRIDGE, THEN TURNED IMMEDIATELY LEFT UP THE HILL. I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF WORKING IN THAT MUSTY OLD PLACE, IN A DRESSING ROOM WITH A BARE LIGHT BULB HANGING DOWN. WENT ON TO PLAY THE LEADS IN MANY MUSICALS -- ANNA IN "THE KING AND I" BEING MY FAVOURITE. RECENTLY I COMPLETED 16 YEARS AS A T.V. ANNOUNCER HERE IN MIAMI, FLORIDA. RETIRED NOW, BUT WRITING MY BIOGRAPHY. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR THE PICTURE OF THE OLD THEATRE. WHAT MEMORIES! Angela Bomford

Tate Wilkinson had been taking his company to Newcastle for a summer season, but in 1770 the proprietors of the Newcastle theatre decided that they wished to have a winter season instead. Wilkinson was fully committed to his theatres in York and Hull for the winter season, so he lost the Newcastle contract. He headed straight for Leeds and between October 1770 and July 1771 he constructed, using his own money, a theatre in Hunslet Lane, south of the River Aire. There is a sketch of the theatre in the Leeds Guide of 1802 (?) by which time it was rather run-down.

Tate Wilkinson built a new theatre in Finkle Street in 1768, to succeed the theatre he used in Lowgate, prior to this date. The Lowgate Theatre was certainly in use by 1743. The new theatre was built by subscription. In 1769 Wilkinson paid £500 for patents for his theatres in York and Hull which thereby became Theatres Royal and his company His Majesty's (sometimes Their Majesties') Servants. There is a good deal of information in Wilkinson's 'Memoirs' which he published in 1790 and in 'The Wandering Patentee' which is subtitled A History of the Yorkshire Theatres and was published in 1795. There is a drawing in the Houghton Library Collection at Harvard University which is probably of the Theatre Royal in Hull, and which was drawn for the second volume of James Winston's 'The Theatric Tourist' which was sadly never completed or published. The drawing reflects the description of the theatre's frontage recorded by Rev James Tickell in 1798, with the royal coat of arms prominent. A sailor walks by. Arthur Young wrote in 1770 that "the new theatre is well-contrived and handsome." Wilkinson's season ran from October through to January, when the company moved to York. Elizabeth Inchbald's Diaries, recently published, record her daily life as an actress on the circuit.

a chance conversation about growing up in theatre street battersea sent me to your wonderful site today. i never expected to see such evocative images of the past. i was born in 1949 so only remember the burnt out shell of the theatre - i was terrified as a child to walk alongside it: so huge and black and haunted looking.i remember the demolition and then the shakespeare fish and chip shop!!
my father grew up in battersea and remembers the bombing. he was on his way to work as a young boy mechanic. he stopped to help someone on the pavement and had the horror of turning over his first dead body with face blown away. he was reprimanded for being late to work that day!

I have two inventories in which you might be interested.

1) 'An account taken of the Wardrobe of the Theatre Royal Liverpool 1780' There are twelve sides of it with such fascinating details as "a suit of French Grey trim'd with silver and ermin 3-3-0" or "An owl's dress - Christmas Tale 12/-"
2) 'An Inventory of the properties at Liverpool taken at September 11th 1780 with such things as "Three egg basketts with eggs 4/-"

Did they call in the receivers in September 1780?

I am a German, who loves Theater and Cinema Buildings very much. With every view I love your wonderful website more.
Albert Knapp from Frankfurt/Germany

ENJOYED THE SITE AND VERY SURPRISED TO FIND THE OLD THEATRE ROYAL STAIRCASE IS IN Marks and Spencer's in Grafton St.MY FATHER JOHN MOLLOY WAS A VIOLINIST IN THE THEATRE ROYAL IN THE FIFTIES AN PRIOR TO THAT IN THE QUEENS THEATRE DUBLIN.HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE JIMMY CAMPBELL ORCESTRA IN THE ROYAL,ANY INFORMATION ON HIM WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

I remember the Princes Theatre being demolished. It was around 1964, not the mid 1970's.
I lived across the road on Edmund Street at the time in a house that is now part of the Polish Club.

Great pictures.

Mick

your site is wonderful thank you for my browse.

Just to let everybody know that OLD THEATRES magazine now has brand new web pages with interactive sections for those who would like to follow its activities in support of Britain's wonderful halls of entertainment--past and present. Do take a look at us on www.oldtheatres.co.uk and just JOIN IN ! (You won't be disappointed!)

Absolutely EXCELLENT!!! You have no idea how much this has helped me with my school project, thank-you so much!

lovely site so interesting have you seen my web site www. folderols.org.uk? let me know what you think . jennifer haley

I began working at the Astoria in April 1947 in the projection room. The Chief Projectionist was Mr. James Pettit. A staff of six in two shifts of three made up the compliment. Managers were at different times Mr Ray Taylor and Mr Keith Hahn. The latter ended up at the Gaumont Lewisham. In 1949 I met my wife who was an usherette and we were married in March 1950. Some years later I arrived back at the Astoria as Assistant Manager under Mr. Horatio Burton. The front of house staff consisted of four doormen, plus ten usherettes, two cahiers, three ice cream ladies. Behind the scenes, apart from the projection room staff, were a House Engineer and his assistant and lastly a Fireman who was required by law as the Astoria had a full stage and a safety curtain that had to be lowered and raised daily in view of the audience, normally before the last performance began.

Oh happy days never to be seen again.

I just wanted to leave a note to say what a great job you are doing. I have lived on Merseyside for many years working at the Playhouse. While researching the Globe I discovered the Shakespeare Theatre that existed in Liverpool. I had no idea! Keep up the good work, it is a very well researched website.

I took part in Gladys Stanley´s last pantomime before it was demolished "QUEEN OF HEARTS". I remember Bunny May and Sandra Alfred who were a little older than me, Terry Somerville was the King, and Ann (forget her surname) was Principle boy.And of course the infamous Sunbeams . Very sad to see it demolished. Francis Laidler and his wife Gladys put on some great entertainment for the people of Leeds.

Regards
Sheila Richardson

Absolutely fantastic website! I work at The Lowry Salford Quays in the programming team - came across this site by accident but I could browse for hours!

Thanks for all this hard work and painstaking research!

Just found a couple of old boxes of original theatre posters for this theatre and I think there may be some old photographs of the plays! I will document everything as there is alot. Theatre posters, programmes, photos, actors contracts etc most in pretty good condition. They were my step-grandads and his mothers. Nellie Morris married Leo Trood but kept her maiden name as her stage name. They had Eric (my step grandad)who was a child actor. Although the family story may be that he wasn't Leo's child and he ran off and left them whenEric was 7. It was also said that Marie Lloyd was Eric's God-mother!. It's facinating stuff!

I just found your site tonight while trying to find information on "Forsythe, Seamon, and Farrell". I just love it, and I have put a link to it on my Facebook page for my many vaudeville/music hall/entertainment oriented friends.

My 97-year old aunt, who lives in South Norwood, remembers the night that the Crystal Palace burned down. I walked all around the grounds, and viewed the portions that still exist, in 2009. I also walked through Grange Park, as some of my family used to live in the area.

Cheers!

Karen Welles
Pittsburgh, PA
USA

my grandmother was a brighton bell under the stage name of Ivy Tremayne I see they are in the programme on your page, she was in several other productions throught the uk, I have programmes, a newspaper article containing a picture of the bells on the beach and photographs of her in several production costumes. I am very interested in any info on the bells you may have

Hi
We are making a film about the History of Didsbbury Manchester and would like to include information about Capitol Theatre Didsbury
Do you have any information or photos we might be able to use?
We would greatly appreciate any help you could give us
Many Thanks
Anne Marie O'Driscoll and Pat Trythall

You will find details of this Theatre on my site here.

Regards, Matthew.

I have just been looking at this site. I believe that the theatre appears in the 1952 film call 'Pool of London' which starrred Bonor Colleano and Susan Shaw. It is available commercially on DVD from 'Razmataz' in a box set called 'The London Collection' and singly I think from Simply Home Entertainment. I did once see a book which shows a still of an actor on the stagea addressing another in the auduitorium.

In my collection of theatre programmes i have one for the 'Queens' dated Monday March 23rd 1953 for a programme called 'Folies Montmartre'. I can scan this if anybody is interested.

Whilst wriing, does anyone know anything about the 'Metropole Theatre and Opera House' in Camberwell, which became the 'Empire' in 1914. It was situated on the corner of Denmark Hill and Coldharbour Lane. It was opened by J.B. Mulholland, who went on to build the 'Kings' Hammersmith and the Wimbledon Theatre, which is now celebrating its Centenary.

Look forward to hearing fron anyone.

Fascinated to read Eugene Collins's account of his brilliant fathe Francis. I remember as a boy in Liverpool listening to Francis and then his showing me, aged 5-ish his violin. It inspired me ! Thank you.
Tony

I can remember the theatre in Oldham that was turned into a night club in 1972 after being a bowling alley etc.It was known as Baileys I think. I remember seeing a lot of top stars at the time appearing there. Labi Sifri, Pop group called MUD, and a few other stars at the time. It was not a bad club at the time but it is sad to see a former shelf of itself.

Just popped by to look up my Great Granddad ,George Henry Stannard Allcorn,who changed his name to Henri D`alcorn,as it was more fashionable at the time.
Funny how people remember some of his releases !!

I understand my grandmother (Maud Baker, Wood, Humphreys) and a Mr F J Woollard owned the theatre circa 1916. If anyone has any further information on this or the theatre for that time period I would love to hear from you.

I have a picture of Ernesto,(Ernest Hipkins), a magician who performed at the Hippodrome. He is an ancestor of mine %26 I understand that he %26 his family lived in the Gate Lodge of the Necropolis opposite.

I would be around 7, living in Hall Green Birmingham with my parents, when I went to see a pantomime here. I think I'm correct saying Jesse Mathews played a leading part. So soon afterwards the news spread like fire that the theatre had been bombed. Sadly a very beautiful theatre never re-opened, the damage was too extensive and needed so much to repair. It was - as I recall - on the same side as The Hall of Memory. Beyond these details I cannot recall more. Possibly they might serve as a trigger for someone else to add more.

In pre-19th century rural Camberwell, the Rosemary Branch was a wayside inn on the counry lane known as Dowlays, which ran from Walworth towards Peckham through open fields and, later, market gardens. I believe it had a cricket oval attached - perhaps I read this in Mary Boast's Story of Camberwell?

A very famous gay pub in the 80s and early 90s. Before the 19th century 'Gin Palace' rebuild, the previous pub was called the Mother Red Cap (interesting?!) and was a venue for local court cases (travelling assizes? - my knowledge of legalities is very hazy, but I do have somewhere an account of a case held there).

Hello - Would anybody please confirm that the great Swiss Clown played the Ardwick Empire - possibly about 1919.

Thanks in advance,

Mike

Hello,
I have just been looking at your web page on the old Theatre Royal in Peter Street, which I found most interesting.
I wonder if it would interest people to know that in 1877 there was a production in this theatre of Shakeaspeare's Henry V111, presented by Charles Calvert. He commissioned Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert %26 Sullivan fame) to write incidental music to the play. One of the movements from the suite, the "Graceful Dance" was used by Sullivan in place of an overture for the original run of his opera "Patience" in 1881. An overture for the piece was not written until the revival in 1884. Just thought this might be of interest re. the history of the theatre. Kind regards, David Hill.

when I was a very little girl and visiting my grandma who lived around the corner from the bedford theatre, My very first live show I saw there with my dad this must have been in the 40s, Oh what a joy that was so much so that it got me started in a career as a dancer, I am a senior citizen now but still recall the joys of the bedford, what a shame its gone now but still very much alive in my memory.
Thank you for a wonderful site.

Wonderful photographs of the auditorium of The Theare Royal Drury Lane, really splendid!Never knew about the two shilling gallery.

You could spend weeks on this site, just marvellous content SO much to see and read, all best wishes, what a job , very well done.

Philip

the ash tray was made in birmingham for the grand opening of the prince of wales theatre in 1909 i found a copy of the ash tray in the archives of a company called baller and mantle ltd when i was helping to clear the building in 2007. I'm not sure but i think baller and mantle may have made the ash tray (the one i have is in very good condition) for the theatre as momento's for theatre goers i hope this helps

Hello! I went on your site after being given some old signed postcards to sell on ebay by my parents, they belonged to my Grandfather. I wanted to see who some of the people were so I googled the names and found they must have all performed at the Olympia Theatre, Liverpool as my Granfather was from West Derby. I have a post card of outside the Theatre, 6 of the stage and quite a few of perfomers including George Robey, La Milo, The Great lafeyette and Hetty King. If you are interested I can scan them and email them to you. Thank you, Caroline Fildes

I do not think I will sell them on ebay any more as I have become so fond of the characters!

I am basically interested in cinemas and theatres in the Black Country and have revived an intention of publishing a two part book on the subject in 2011 and welcome interaction with others who might share this interest. Meanwhile it is great to come across an informative site like this and to read what others know as there is so much "interconnecting" in this subject.

Just a small observation on the site's description of Scarborough's Futurist Theatre. The two boxes, one either side of the proscenium, which are said to have been created in 1968 and from which there is no view of the stage, are not boxes at all and have no public access. Although they do have the appearance of boxes, here is why they were created. Originally, the archways high on either side of the proscenium were accessed behind the proscenium by vertical steel ladders from stage level and dancers/showgirls would emerge from them before descending "semi-spiral" ornate steel stairways to stage level. The stairways were a feature of the "super cinema" as built and were certainly there later than 1968. The treads of the stairs were latterly glass, each one lit from below, and girls in elaborate costumes descending slowly (and doubtless very carefully!) to stage level added considerable spectacle to the shows. They were always used during the summer season spectaculars of the '50s, '60s and early seventies - notably by the Television Toppers who appeared there in several versions of "The Black and White Minstrel Show". When season-long summer shows became confined to history and the Futurist instead hosted one night stands, concerts and short-run "shows" with local or club performers and occasional touring shows for short runs, the concept of West End style productions (often with scenery and equipment previously seen at the London Palladium for example) was finished and this was when the stairways were considered obsolete. Their removal left the two archways disconnected from the stage and looking rather odd so each were given a semi-circular moulding which matched that of the balcony front to give them the appearance of boxes in an attempt to transform them into a small architectural feature but boxes they are not. Mock boxes perhaps?

Fascinating to see so many photographs of the Opera House. During the '50s and 60's when the lease was held by York Citizens Theatre Trust and two or three plays were presented in rotation for the summer season by York Theatre Royal's repertory company, it was widely felt that little money was spent on the Scarborough theatre with most of the income going into the York theatre's coffers. When York Theatre Royal was refurbished and a new foyer wing built in 1967, the still fairly new house curtain was taken to Scarborough and hung in the Opera House and this is the curtain (flame coloured velour with gold and silver appliqued satin - including the rose of York) we see in some of the Opera House views, towards the theatre's end. The previous house curtain at the Opera House was a less impressive, maroon one and over in York, the 1967 auditorium scheme was in numerous shades of green, five of which were incorporated into the "new" house curtain there - since followed by at least three different sets of "tabs".

Great Site. I just discovered that my Great Grandfather - Frank Westcott was leader of the Hoppodrome Orchestra, Newcastle-on-Tyne from 1910-1923. It was lovely to be able to see a photo of the building on your site and also useful to see the photo as it is today.

Regards
Susan

Wolverhampton Theatres are definitely on the list and will be added in due course. Matthew Lloyd.

Wonderful site, however, I would like to see more information on Wolverhampton Theatre's

1 The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton (Still a working theatre and Grade II listed building) C J Phipps Architect
2 Wolverhampton Hippodrome - Queen Square (originally the Empire Palace)destroyed by fire February 1956 and subsequently demolished.
3 Theatre Royal (aka Clifton) - Bilston Street - Demolished 1981
4 Bilston Theatre Royal (Not to be confused with the Theatre Royal in Bilston Street) Demolished 1961

Hello
In the mid 80s it was also used as a night club although I believe that it had a bad rep with trouble makers. Also, it is on Ashton Old Road, Higher Openshaw, not Old Ashton Road, Upper Openshaw.
Thanks for the research into its history, I used to walk past this building quite often.

Regards
Lun

How heartwarming to read about the Empress Hall. I went in 1955 to see the Red Army choir but I had forgotten the name of the Hall until I read a review in a 1955 'Punch'. I am grateful to you for your work on this site.

Thank you so much for this site-as a keen theatregoer I look at it regularly.

Just a piece of news that you might be aware of - the Regal cinema Kingston (Gala Bingo) - Grade II listed, is now closed and boarded up.

what a fantatic site, and its been so well thought out and put together.. colours and type are wonderful too... was looking at all the old threatres of Glasgow and noticed the Olympia, it said still in use as Bingo.. but of course that was some years past now... its not been taken over by the Clydegateway in their regeneration project for Bridgeton I have photos if you d like them of the Cross and Umberella being dug up last year and the old toilets filled in as well as Caithness stone being put down as paving.. looking good now with the Olympia in most of the shots..

Thank you for this great website
My 4XGrt Grandfather Samuel EDWARDS b 1740 Wine Merchant and Proctor in Doctors Commons mentioned in his Will his Property in Fountain Court and Beaufort Buildings.
He died in 1807 at 8 Beaufort Buildings

From Helen in OZ

My grandfather, Gaetan Bournon, managed The Hippodrome in the late 1920s. I don't know what - if any - information might be available.

I was so suprised to see how many Theatres there had been in Kidderminster. I worked backstage at The Playhouse 1966,7,8 and in fact was working on that last night. It was so sad to loose this Theatre although Kidderminster people never supported it very well. The Operatics could fill it, which I was in at this time. John Citron was a very interesting manager for the last years; he signed up a young ladf to fill in as stage manmager when we lost one, it was his start in theatre, Derek Thompson. I actually worked on the Babes in the Wood Panto you have put the programme of on the website. There is a very comprhensive souvenier programme for 1968 tracing all the plays. It would be nice to mention the very characterful Bill Morris who was Kenneth Roses Stagemanager from 1946 and his son who did the lighting.
I used to live opposite The Grand Cinema in Mill Street and saw Dumbo as probably my first ever visit to the cinema ( it was rather dirty in those days, there was an even dirtier cinema in the Horsefair, Kidderminster known as the flea pit. I never actually visited it. My mother was in Floradora but a later amateur version and my father was a stalwart of the Amateur Operatics from 1930 onwards. I have just planted a tree in Brintons park in their memeory. Unfortunately I do not live in Kidderminster anymore. If you want any details of The Playhouse please ask. My sister worked backstage when John Osborne was writing Look back in Anger there.

Just like to say thanks Matthew for putting archive photos of the Windmill from Maurice Poole who has been a great help with his knowledge of the Windmill.

Many thanks,
Gary Tearney

Thank you for spending the time to add this information to your website. It is sad that this came about from a disaster but good that it has probably saved countless lives. This is probably one of those inventions that is taken for granted like countless others. This is an inspiration.
Matthew Williams

My wife died in 2008, she left several diaries one entry in 1952 which read: January 7th Monday "Nana had just got there when arrived at 7.15. Show started at 8 o'clock . . .Wonderful costumes %26 skating very clever. Finished 1045 approx . . "
I also found the seating tickets for 7th January 1952 Empress Hall Block J row K 26/28. House price per seat 8/6 including tax!
Without your web site I would not have known it was 'Ranch in the Rockies' that that impressed her that evening. Thankyou. David

i am looking for 2 flyers from the pier theatre bournemouth they are no sex please were british 1973 and dont dress for dinner 1995 marti caine colour e mails most acceptable please reply to kevintheatre@live.co.uk thank you

I love your site. I have always enjoyed music hall songs and your site is so informative ,easy to use and good to look at!
I particularly appreciated the pictures of the inside of the old Pavilion theatre in Liverpool, burnt down in 1986....I have an aunt of 84 who remembers good times in this theatre! Keep uo the good work!

I must say I love your site and the amount of work you must have put into it. My interest in the Empire is that I had two stints of working there - the first one was when "Ben Hur" was on and as you say on the site it closed the old Empire and then I went back and worked there when "Doctor Zhivago" was there.

I now live near Perth in Western Australia and I came here because I met an Australian girl who sponsered me here under the old ten pound plan in 1968. I have been happily married to my husband Geoff for nearly 40 years and I thank the Empire and Connie (the Aussie girl) for that.

A wee story for you. Albert Sidi the manager who was there both times I was working there should have been a dipolmat - he was the most charming man and was great at smoothing ruffled feathers.
I had a situation one night during "Ben Hur" when I had three couples who had tickets for the same seats (it was in row S I can remember that) Well they were wild and he calmed them down and had them eating out of his hand in no time - it was amazing to watch. He had the use of the Ritz and they all went to see "Gigi" instead of "Ben Hur" that night!! They were given tickets for "Ben Hur" at a later date. The reason for the triple booking was the tickets were issued from Keith Prowse. I am sure that these agents are greatful for the computer bookings these days. I still have my "Ben Hur" programme signed by the staff of the day.I also have two "Doctor Zhivago" programmes - one for the premier and the nornmal one.

Keep up the great work.

Cheers

Philomena Trevor-Hunt,

I was brought up in Coventry between ages 2 and 16 and have very many memories of the Hippodrome. My father regularly played Canasta with Harry Bannerman, the stage manager, and often with the stars who appeared there. Harry made sure we got excellent seats for Pantos, summer shows and variety and I acquired. many autographs and artifacts including one of Ted Ray's stage violins!
Its a long, long time since I left Coventry but I have many happy memories of those Renaissance years leading to the consecration of the utterly wonderful Cathedral. What a vibrant artistic city it was in those days.
Only today have I learned that the Hippodrome has been demolished. How could that possibly be allowed to happen? It was a fine art deco building for God's sake. What philistines were responsible for such sacrilege??
I just can't believe it!, I was actually planning to visit it again.
Please tell me that there is a full archive of Hippo material and artifacts somewhere, and if so, where?

Hi,
I love your site. I was searching for Holywell in Shoreditch (1861), and then Wych Street, which appears to be in the Strand by 1871. Your site gave me the definitive answer to all my questions, including some great pictures.
I run the deadpubs.co.uk site of historical Pubs, and I have added a link to your site because of this.
Thanks
Kevan

My grandmother ran the chocolate shop next to the grand in your wonderful photo

Dear Matthew, thank you for your generosity and the infomation on your site - much appreciated.

Thank you for all the hard work and research in this site.
It brings back wonderful memories of a Yorkshire childhood,
seeing Norman Evans, Jewel %26 Warriss, Kirby's Flying Ballet the Sunbeams, etc.
I remember standing in line outside the Theatre Royal Leeds, we could see the printing presses through the windows of the Yorkshire Evening News.
For almost 60 years I have had pictures in my mind of Pantomime scenes, your site has brought them to life.
Maggie Ryan, Orlando FL

This web site I have found very inetresting many thanks for sharing articles with us

I have a question that perhaps you or one of your readers can help me with

Who sang the following song

come round any old time and make yourself at home, right or poor knock on the door etc etc

Netflixed "Mrs. Henderson Presents"... Loved it and had to find out more about it which led me here. As a yank with 30 years in the business (now retired) this is new historical fodder for me. Thanks for this wonderful site.

Hello.
This site is of special interest to us. You don't mention the "Rising Sun" shown in a few of your images. This tavern was around in the 1901 Census. My husband's gr-grandfather Robert Rockett was the chief engineer for the new Mount Morgan gold mine in Queensland Australia. His sister was Emma Belcher Duffill. Emma and her husband William Edward Duffill were the Licensed Victuallers for the "Rising Sun" in 1901 on the Uk census. The images you show reflect the very moment prior to their demolition.
Absolutely amazing.
Regards
Deb Lyons

Thanks Peter, Have now corrected Harry Lauder's blue plaque entry.
Matthew.

Unfortunately the address you give for Sir Harry Lauder's blue plaque is incorrect. The street name is Longley Road and is in Upper Tooting, not Colliers Wood, although very close.

The house was no. 24 when owned by Sir Harry, who named it Athole House. It was subsequently the family home of my grandparents, Arthur and Mabel Hardy, their children and Mabel's parents. My mother was born there in 1917. The house number was subsequently changed to 46. You can find information on Harry Lauder's various homes on the website jimvallance.com.

I was interested to learn that Harry Tate also lived in the same road.

Yours sincerely, Peter Wood.

i own a enrty coin to the concert hall on one side is a piture of the hall then on the other it says "to be spent in the concert hall the same evening as received" it cost 3d and it also has rodney inn on it. This was in a box of my grandads so it is amazing to think it could of been his parents who visited.

I wanted to thank you for this beautiful site. I'm making a report about 'west end', so this site was the perfect source for it! Thanks again. Greatings, Lucinda

I love this site. One of my favourites on the web.
If this were my website I would be proud indeed. Please keep it up!

There used to be a tree growing to the fore of the Holly tree in the picture, but this was felled in 1979.

The tree was felled as it was noted that the entire line of headstones were moving up and down as the tree swayed in the wind! The Fire Brigade attended with a Simon Snorkel Fire engine from MacDonald Road Fire Station and a Council employee was sent up on the platform to fell the tree. The Police closed off Dalkeith Road during ops.

Funnily enough, due to the nature of the ground, the huge machine became rather bogged down and to make matters worse there was a call-out to across the road for a chimney fire! Lots of sheepish fire crew peering over the cemetery wall to their colleagues from Liberton FS!