Heswall Operatic Society presenting tribute to Birkenhead’s famous Argyle Theatre at the Gladstone Theatre this week

Sep 22 2010 by Janine Yaqoob, Birkenhead News

HESWALL Operatic Society is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the closure of Birkenhead’s Argyle Theatre this week.

The famous theatre on Argyle Street opened in 1868 as the Argyle Music Hall and later became the Prince of Wales Theatre before reverting to the Argyle name.

It was struck by a bomb during World War II, on September 21, 1940 – and it never reopened.

One of the country’s leading theatres in its heyday, stars like Charlie Chaplin and George Formby trod its boards.

Argyle Remembered will re-create the shows and tell the story of the theatre and its famous acts.

David Crosby of Heswall Operatic said: “The show was written be a former president of the society. It was first done about 20 years ago.

“It tells the story of the Argyle. It was one of the biggest theatres in the country and there was once even a radio programme called “Saturday Night at the Argyle” which was broadcast all over the country.”

The site of the theatre is now a car park for House of Fraser (Beatties).

David said: “All the greats played at the Argyle when Birkenhead was quite affluent with the shipbuilding industry.

“It really was a major landmark in the town.”

l The show starts tonight (Wednesday, September 22) at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight and runs until Saturday.

Performances are at 7.30pm, plus a Saturday matinee. Tickets are £10/8 from 643 8757 or www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk