Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Now and Then Argyle Street, Birkenhead 1900's

The Argyle Theatre of Varieties, opened as a music hall in 1868.

Some of the stage and music stars that performed there were Stan Laurel, George Formby, Charlie Chaplin, and Harry Lauder. Aparantly, Eric Morecambe & Ernie Wise also performed at the Argyle Theatre.

The theatre had seating for about 800, with pillars in the auditorium and long, narrow galleries running down either side.

It was one of the oldest music halls in Britain, famous for its lively entertainment and for fostering new talent.

In 1876 the name changed to the Prince of Wales and the theatre was used to present plays. In 1890, the management of the theatre was taken over and was changed back into to a music hall under its original name of the Argyle Theatre.

The Argyle was the first music hall to present radio broadcasts that were aired throughout the Commonwealth; it was also the only British music hall to broadcast direct to the United States on a coast-to-coast hook-up.

In 1896, the Argyle was the first theatre outside of London to present Thomas Edison's Vitagraph Living Pictures. In 1910 it showed footage of the funeral of King Edward VII and in 1911 the coronation of King George and Queen Mary.

Although the theatre showed films and newsreels for a number of years, the main attractions at the Argyle continued to be live performances.

The Argyle was destroyed by fire in an air raid by Hitler's Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain on September 21, 1940.


Whats On: Monday 1st of February 1892 - Monday 21st of January 1907

Argyle Street, Birkenhead 1900's

Again Great Work Joe

Joe your on the roundabout yeh?

I am indeed. must of looked a right wierdo lol

So why is the picture tagged Argyle Street?

Argyle Street looking up the main road? Conway Street.

Yes But thanks

Argyle street runs from the roundabout by Birkenhead Central Station to Hamilton Square.

A couple of people have said it was on the location of the beaties car park as the buildings by the Stairways look like the ones in the original

Check the Roof on the Second Building on the left

ahh, you got it then

it used to be where the george and the dragon is today

But i didn't know i had it lol

will update first pic with yours later

good pics joe

First post updated

My grandmother, born 1888, used to tell me how she used to go to the Argyle regularly. It was one of the finest music halls in the country & all the stars used to perform there.

Can you remember any of them?
I know we may not recognise any of the names but its History"

I wonder what year it was closed and when it was pulled down?