history Archives ⋆ Manchester Theatre History

5th July 2023

Aladdin lands at the Hulme Hippodrome 1958

Manchester Hulme Hippodrome On 7th October 1901 the Grand Junction Theatre and Floral Hall Music Hall opened in Hulme. It was just under two miles from Manchester city centre, four years late In 1905 its name was changed to The Hulme Hippodrome. It was said to be as one of Manchester’s finest theatres with its gilded decorations, velvet seats and...

Hulme Hippodrome/pantomime Comments: 0

8th November 2021

One Theatre, 3 Shows and a Bomb !

The two opening Show’s in 1976 When the Royal Exchange Theatre opened for the first time on September 15th 1976 the atmosphere in the theatre and the surrounding auditorium was electrifying as the audience waited with baited breath to see the show. They were so excited to be witnessing the first plays in this new iconic experimental theatre which could...

Royal Exchnge Theatre Comments: 0

11th August 2021

Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre

Manchester is very lucky to have the unique Royal Exchange Theatre. It has been created in the iconic grade II listed Royal Exchange Building, which is situated in the city centre, it borders St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, Market Street, Cross Street and Old Bank Street. The Royal Exchange Building In 1809 The Royal Exchange opened in order to celebrate...

Royal Exchnge Theatre Comments: 0

28th January 2020

Comedy tops the bill at The Manchester Hippodrome in 1923

Sir Oswald Stoll and the Moss Empire Theatres. Sir Oswald Stoll who owned the Manchester Hippodrome Theatre joined up with Edward Moss and Richard Thornton to create Moss Empire Theatre Company in 1900. Eventually they opened 28 variety theatres throughout the country. In 1912 Sir Oswald Stoll was responsible for putting on the first Royal Command Performance. Amongst other...

The Hippodrome Theatre Comments: 0

8th April 2019

The Palace Theatre, Manchester 1935 to 1936

The Palace of Variety The Palace theatre was originally known as ‘The Palace of Variety’ and it certainly lived up to its name in 1935 Max Miller ‘The Cheeky Chappy’ Max Miller who was well known as a stand up comic, also for the very flamboyant attire and his risque jokes!! If you go to Brighton you can see a...

The Palace Theatre Comments: 3

9th December 2018

The Forum Theatre, Wythenshawe, Manchester

This Theatre opened on 3rd November 1971 in Wythenshawe, besides being a major theatre in one of Manchester suberbs it featured a main hall, meeting rooms, leisure centre and library but by the mid 1990’s it had closed down as a theatre. It was an extention of the Library Theatre and was run by their production team. The directors in...

The Forum Theatre Comments: 21

27th November 2018

The Library Theatre 1963 onwards

The Library Theatre went from strength to strength and in 1963 Patrick Stewart appeared in ‘Billy Liar’ before going to Hollywood and gaining world wide fame in ‘Star Treck’. In 1965, 1966 and 1967 they put on many folk music concerts, starring such great names for the folk world such as Jackie and Bridie , Ash Lawrence; the Folk Four;...

The Library Theatre Comments: 19

20th November 2018

‘Freemasonary’ and The Prince’s Theatre, Manchester

The Lodge put on a play ‘Uncle Zachery’ which was written by a Freemason and all the male actors were Freemasons. There were only two females in the play, these actresses were Miss E Romer and Fanny Brough who was a very talented and reknown actress of that era. Below is a photo of her. The next time Freemasons appeared...

The Prince's Theatre Comments: 0

14th November 2018

The Library Theatre 1947 to 1963

As you entered Shakespeare Hall which is the foyer of the Manchester Central Library to attend a play, a musical or other type of entertainment put on at Manchester’s Library Theatre, you can look in total awe at the wonderful windows such as the one below. This very special theatre was built in the basement of Manchester’s wonderful Central...

The Library Theatre Comments: 5

28th October 2018

The Free Trade Hall

The Free Trade Hall on Peter Street, Manchester was a public hall. It was constructed in 1853–56 on St Peter’s Fields, the site of the Peterloo Massacre, it is now a hotel. The hall was built to commemorate the repeal of the Corn Laws in 1846 which is another famous part of Manchester’s history. The architect was Edward Walters. The hall was owned by the Manchester Council ...

The Free Trade Hall/Uncategorised Comments: 5

Tag: history