Manchester Archives ⋆ Manchester Theatre History

25th April 2022

Manchester Connects to the 3 Novello’s !

Clara Anastasia Novello – Opera Singer In August 1851 Clara Anastasia Novello, the famous acclaimed soprano, topped the bill when she appeared at The Theatre Royal in Manchester.. She was singing Italian opera and the theatre offered a book of the songs in Italian and English for sale. She appeared with a very impressive cast of famous opera singers such...

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

17th May 2021

Fire destroys a Manchester Theatre ! 1844

The Catastrophic Fire On Tuesday 7th of May 1844, at 6 am, a great fire swept though the Theatre Royal on Fountain Street. Within an hour it had practically destroyed the whole building. Several fire engines speedily arrived on the scene to try and extinguish the fire. Amongst the fire engines that were present were ‘The Neptune‘, ‘The Water Witch‘,...

The Theatre Royal Comments: 0

28th October 2020

1948 sees the Palace Theatre say ‘Thanks for the memory!’

Thanks for the Memory The title of this show was a master stroke for Donald Ross’s production show as it was pure nostagia. It starred a vast array of veteran theatre entertainers who the audiences held in their hearts with great fondness. It was a revival of music hall entertainment which played to capacity audiences during its touring years. Achieving...

The Prince's Theatre Comments: 0

11th August 2020

Guess who was the star attraction in July 1948!!

In 1948 the Palace theatre put on a different sort of variety show. It had 2 of the most popular acts of the day, Donald Peers from the United Kingdom and the Nicholas Brothers from America. I am not sure who was the bigger attraction for the fans. Amongst the supporting artistes were Tommy Fields, Ernest Arnley and Gloria Day,...

The Palace Theatre Comments: 0

7th July 2020

Eartha Kitt stars in ‘Caribbean Rhapsody’ in 1948

‘Caribbean Rhapsody’ In 1948 at the age of 21, it was her 6th year as a performer that Eartha Kitt made her first appearance at the Manchester Palace Theatre in ‘Caribbean Rhapsody’. The audience was wowed by the dynamic and highly theatrical performance of the Katherine Dunham Company. Val Parnell produced the show which starred Katherine Dunham and her...

The Palace Theatre/Uncategorised Comments: 0

7th June 2020

The final days of The Manchester Hippodrome Theatre

Time to say farewell to this iconic theatre Sadly in 1934 after 30 years the curtain finally came down for the last time at The Manchester Hippodrome Theatre on Oxford Street which was Manchester’s top variety venue; commonly know throughout the country as ‘the home of variety’. When it closed its doors on the final performance the audience, the actors...

The Gaumont Cinema/The Hippodrome Theatre/Uncategorised Comments: 0

12th May 2020

Brush up your Shakespeare 1934 style !!

Shakespeare at the Hippodrome 1934 style. In 1934 Sir Oswald Stoll put on a spectacular season of Shakespeare plays at the Manchester Hippodrome on Oxford St. Amongst the plays staged were Julius Caesar, The Merchant of Venice , Henry V, Twelfth Night, The Merry Wives of Windsor, ‘The Tempest‘ and ‘As you Like It‘. I love the fact that in...

The Hippodrome/Uncategorised Comments: 0

16th April 2020

Ballet and performing pigeons on the same show!!

George Formby In 1932 George Formby topped the bill at the Manchester Hippodrome on Oxford St, by then he was well on his way to world wide fame when he signed a recording contract with Decca Records. One of the 1st records he made in July of 1932 was ‘”Chinese Laundry Blues‘ all about Mr Woo. Interestingly enough in December...

The Hippodrome Comments: 2

Tag: Manchester