Theatre

December 1910: Art Festival at the School of Art – Proceeds to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre

An article on page six of the Daily Record and Mail (Daily Record, in The British Newspaper Archive), on Saturday the 24th of December, 1910, reads: "ART FESTIVAL. It is not only a feeling for line, form, and…

September 1916: The Late Graham Price – Actor, Teacher of Elocution at Glasgow University, and Playwright

A short notice on page eight of The Era, on Wednesday the 20th of September, 1916, reads: "The Late Graham Price. We regret to record the death of Mr. Graham Price, originally an actor, who was teacher of…

April 1900: ‘Diplomacy’ – Dramatic Entertainment by “The Players” in the Athenaeum Theatre, in Aid of the Glasgow Samaritan Hospital for Women

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 4th of April, 1900, reads: "DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT BY 'THE PLAYERS.'—Hitherto that excellent amateur combination 'The Players' have been content to perform somewhat light dramas, of which they…

April 1900: Indian Famine Relief Fund – “The Players”, in ‘Diplomacy’, at the Royalty Theatre

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 30th of April, 1900, reads: "INDIAN FAMINE FUND—BENEFIT PERFORMANCE AT ROYALTY THEATRE.—A matinee was given at the Royalty Theatre on Saturday in aid of the Indian Famine…

March 1900: Glasgow Samaritan Hospital – Annual Meeting of the Ladies’ Auxiliary Association – Promise of Surplus Proceeds from Performance of ‘Diplomacy’, by “The Players”, in April

An article on page four of The Glasgow Herald , on Tuesday the 27th of March, 1900, includes: "GLASGOW SAMARITAN HOSPITAL.—The annual meeting of the Ladies' Auxiliary Association of the Glasgow Samaritan Hospital was held in the hospital yesterday.…

March 1903: Amateur Actors in the Athenaeum – “The Players” in ‘The Rogue’s Comedy’, by Mr Henry Arthur Jones, in Aid of the Glasgow Sick Poor and Private Nursing Association

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 13th of March, 1903, reads: "AMATEUR ACTORS IN THE ATHENAEUM.—'The Players,' one of the oldest combinations of amateur actors in the city, gave their eleventh annual performance…

August 1892: Appointment to Mr Henry Talbot – Glasgow Athenaeum

An article on page three of The Motherwell Times and General Advertiser (Motherwell Times, in The British Newspaper Archive), on Saturday the 20th of August, 1892, reads: "APPOINTMENT TO MR HENRY TALBOT. Mr Henry Talbot has been officially appointed…

February 1894: Death of Mr Henry Talbot (1832-94)

An article on page six of the The Dundee Courier and Argus (Dundee Courier, in The British Newspaper Archive), on Wednesday the 21st of February, 1894, reads: "DEATH OF MR HENRY TALBOT. The announcement of the death of…

September 1894: “The Stage” – ‘Cynthia’s Sacrifice’, at the Theatre Royal – In Aid of the Henry Talbot Memorial Fund

A short notice, under "PROVINCIAL ITEMS", on page fourteen of The Stage, on Thursday the 20th of September, 1894, reads: "Cynthia's Sacrifice, by Edwin Drew, will be played at the Royal, Glasgow, Saturday afternoon, October 27, on the occasion…

December 1826: Miss Foote as Aladdin, in “Aladdin; or the Wonderful Lamp”, at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street

An advertisement on page two of the Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 25th of December, 1826, informed readers that the theatre would re-open on Tuesday the 26th, with Miss Foote as Aladdin. It also provides details of the songs…

November 1954: “An Artist Supreme in Her Medium” – Beatrice Lillie, at the King’s Theatre

An article on page three of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 2nd of November, 1954, describes An Evening with Beatrice Lillie, with the comments: "THOSE fortunate enough to visit the King's Theatre, Glasgow, this week will see and…

March 1925: War-Time Play in Glasgow – “Peter’s Mother”, at the Lyric Theatre, in Aid of the Glasgow and West of Scotland District of the League of Nations’ Union

An article on page nine of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 4th of March, 1925, reads: "WAR-TIME PLAY IN GLASGOW In aid of the Glasgow and West of Scotland District of the League of Nations' Union, Miss…

February 1922: Sophocles’s “Antigone”

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 17th of February, 1922, reads: "SOPHOCLES'S 'ANTIGONE' FORTHCOMING PRODUCTION IN GLASGOW In view of the forthcoming production of the 'Antigone' of Sophocles in Hengler's Circus in…

Agnes Bartholomew, 1885-1955: Wikipedia

For further information on Agnes Bartholomew, please see the Wikipedia entry, by clicking on the link below. Agnes Bartholomew - Wikipedia George Fairfull-Smith, October 2023.

May 1916: Opening of Cranston’s Picture House, Renfield Street, on Monday the 22nd

An article under the heading "PICTURE HOUSES", on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 23rd of May, 1916, reads: "CRANSTON'S PICTURE HOUSE.—For many years Cranston's Tea-Rooms in Renfield Street were a popular resort for business men…

March 1915: Proposed New Glasgow Cinema – Renfield Street – Demolition of Building – Stuart Cranston

There are times when information about developments in Glasgow can be found in the most unexpected places. An article on page two of The Sheerness Times & General Advertiser (Sheerness Times Guardian, in The British Newspaper Archive), on Saturday the…

November 1930: New Scottish Play – First Performance in Glasgow of James Bridie’s “What it is to be Young”, by the Albany Players and The Quest, in the Athenaeum Theatre

An article on page fifteen of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 12th of November, 1930, reads: "NEW SCOTTISH PLAY FIRST PERFORMANCE IN GLASGOW Two heads are said to better than one, and certainly the combined performance…

February 1907: “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Athenaeum – Performance by the Department of Elocution and Dramatic Art

A review of the performance is on page twelve of The Glasgow Herald, under the heading "GENERAL SCOTTISH NEWS.", on Friday the 1st of March, 1907, and reads: " 'MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM' AT THE ATHENAEUM. The department of…

January 1924: Children’s Pantomime, at the Athenaeum Theatre – “Cinderella”

**PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS WORDS THAT MAY CAUSE UPSET OR OFFENCE.** An article on page ten of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 4th of January, 1924, reads: "CHILDREN'S PANTOMIME AT THE ATHENAEUM The production…

June 1914: Cranston’s Tea Rooms (Limited) and Cranston’s Picture House (Limited)

Under the heading 'NEW ISSUES', an article on page five of The Scotsman, on Saturday the 27th of June, 1914, reads: "NEW ISSUES. Cranston's Tea Rooms (Limited.)—The issue is announced of £28,000 7 per Cent. Redeemable Second Mortgage…

May 1916: Cranston’s Picture House, Renfield Street – Preparation of a Souvenir Booklet – “Cranston’s are famed for good things”

In its 'News in Brief' section, on page 818 (page 94 in The British Newspaper Archive) of The Bioscope, on Thursday the 18th of May, 1916, is the following: "Cranston's Picture House opens on May 22nd. I hear that…

May 1916: Cranston’s Picture House, Renfield Street – “Another Palatial Glasgow Hall”

An interesting article on pages 927-8 (pages 95-6, in The British Newspaper Archive) of The Bioscope, on Thursday the 25th of May, 1916, reads: "ANOTHER PALATIAL GLASGOW HALL. Close on two years ago the proprietors of Cranston's…

February 1916: Cranston’s Picture House – Nearing Completion

A short, and interesting, article on page 501 (page 71 in The British Newspaper Archive) of The Bioscope, on Thursday the 3rd of February, 1916, reads: "Nearing Completion. The new cinema which is being erected in connection with…

February 1916: Pictures at Hengler’s – Sauchiehall Street Ought to Earn the Title of “Cinema Avenue”

A short, and interesting, article on page 501 (page 71 in The British Newspaper Archive) of The Bioscope, on Thursday the 3rd of February, 1916, reads: "Pictures at Hengler's. On the conclusion of the circus season, Hengler's will…

February 1909: Tableaux Vivants Performance in the Queen’s Rooms, Under the Auspices of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Bellefield Sanatorium, Lanark

An article on page six of The Scotsman, on Thursday the 11th of February, 1909, reads: "TABLEAUX VIVANTS PERFORMANCE AT GLASGOW. — Under the auspices of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Bellefield Sanatorium, Lanark, a performance of tableaux in action…

January 1901: Glasgow’s “The Players” at Kilbarchan – Miss Hildur Myrin in Two Roles

An article on page six of the Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette, on Saturday the 19th of January, 1901, reads: "CONSERVATIVE CLUB ENTERTAINMENT. - On Saturday evening, under the auspices of the Conservative Club, a dramatic and musical entertainment was…

March 1902: The Players, at the Athenaeum – “A Royal Family”, with Miss Hildur Myrin as ‘Queen Ferdinand’

An article on page three of The Stage, on Thursday the 20th of March, 1902, reads: "ATHENAEUM (Secretary, Mr. James Lander). - The Players appeared here last week in A Royal Family, and were well received. The piece was presented…

April 1923: Variety Artists’ Matinee to be Held in the Empire Theatre, on the 1st of May – in Aid of the Building of a New Wing at the Brinsworth Home

An article on page seven of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 6th of April, 1923, reads: "VARIETY ARTISTS' MATINEE A matinee in aid of the Music Hall Artists' Benevolent Fund will be held in the Empire Theatre,…

March 1924: Amateur Comedy at Glasgow Athenaeum – Mr James Montgomery’s “Nothing but the Truth” – in Aid of the City of Glasgow Stall, in Connection with the Samaritan Hospital Bazaar

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 18th of March, 1924, reads: "AMATEUR COMEDY AT GLASGOW ATHENAEUM A performance of Mr James Montgomery's comedy, 'Nothing but the Truth,' was given last night in…

March 1931: An Editorial Diary – Jottings from Day to Day – “Visit of Pola Negri”

The Glasgow Herald's 'An Editorial Diary' commented on page eight, on Tuesday the 10th of March, 1931: Visit of Pola Negri Pola Negri, the film actress, who recently made her debut on the London stage, is visiting Glasgow…

April 1855: Scenery by Sam Bough, at the Olympic Theatre, Argyll Street

Some interesting information about Sam Bough is included in the "POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS" notice, on page five of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 9th of April, 1855. It reads: "We must not allow this opportunity to pass without saying…

Agnes Bartholomew: Autograph and Cutting with Portrait, Purchased from ebay in April 2022

From time to time, I have been fortunate in finding rare books and ephemera relating to Glasgow's cultural history on ebay, including the above, which I purchased in April 2022. In addition to Agnes's autograph, the sheet of…

April 1930: New Dramatic Organisation in Glasgow

An article on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 14th of April, 1930, reads: "NEW DRAMATIC ORGANISATION IN GLASGOW Steps were taken at a meeting held yesterday in the Glasgow headquarters of the British Broadcasting…

April 1914: “Auntie Mirren” at the Alhambra – Miss Agnes Bartholomew, the Well-Known Scottish Actress, and Company

An advertisement on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 20th of April, 1914, has Miss Agnes Bartholomew heading the bill. The company included Walter Roy, "Late of Scottish Repertory and Graham Moffat's Companies". There were two performances…

April 1914: Agnes Bartholomew and Company in an Entirely New Playlet – Mr Harry Lumsden’s “Auntie Mirren”, at the Alhambra

An article on page ten of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 21st of April, 1914, reads: "A NEW COMEDY. GLASGOW AUTHOR'S SUCCESS. The taste of the patrons of vaudeville, thanks to an enlightened management, has advanced…

September 1912: Review of Graham Moffat’s “A Scrape o’ the Pen”, on Broadway, with Agnes Bartholomew as ‘Lizzie Inglis’

A review from its American correspondent was published on page twenty-eight of The Stage, on Thursday the 10th of October, 1912. Dated the 28th of September, and under the section heading "THE AMERICAN STAGE", which commences on page twenty-seven, it…

March 1907: Miss Agnes Bartholomew Presents “Mice and Men”, by Madeleine Lucette Ryley, in the Athenaeum Theatre, on Wednesday the 6th

An advertisement for the play is on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 4th of March, 1907. There is a short notice on page eleven of the Herald, on Thursday the 7th. It reads: "An…

February 1910: Comedy at the Athenaeum – Miss Agnes Bartholomew Presents Miss Cicely Hamilton’s Comedy, “Diana of Dobson’s”

An article on page five of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 25th of February, 1910, reads: "COMEDY AT THE ATHENAEUM. 'Diana of Dobson's' was presented by Miss Agnes Bartholomew at the Athenaeum last night, and the performance…

Let’s Not Forget Agnes Bartholomew, a “Noted Scots Actress”, Who Died in Glasgow, in September 1955

An obituary on page five of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 12th of September, 1955, reads: "Death of Noted Scots Actress Mrs Holmes E. Herbert, who for many years was well known on the platform and stage…

February 1908: “Merely Mary Ann”, at the Athenaeum – Miss Agnes Bartholomew in a “More Ambitious Project than the Conventional Recital”

An article on page thirteen of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 6th of February, 1908, reads: " 'MERELY MARY ANN' AT THE ATHENAEUM. As an entertainer Miss Agnes Bartholomew is making progress. Already well and favourably known…

Vintage Graham Moffat Poster

In April 2022, I was able to buy a vintage poster, similar to the one below, from samziggy1, a seller on ebay. George Fairfull-Smith, November 2022.

December 1922: The Queen Margaret Settlement – Anderston Girls’ Club’s Twelfth Shakespearean Production – “Romeo and Juliet”

An article on page eleven of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 22nd of December, 1922, reads: "ANDERSTON GIRLS' CLUB For the past quarter of a century the Queen Margaret Settlement has been carrying on a beneficient work…

January 1865: Miss Emma Stanley’s Entertainment at the Prince’s Theatre

An article on page two of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 31st of January, 1865, reads: "MISS EMMA STANLEY'S ENTERTAINMENT. - A much larger audience than we are accustomed on ordinary occasions to find in the Prince's Theatre…

April 1910: Kelvinside Dramatic Club

An article on page five of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 13th of April, 1910, reads: "KELVINSIDE DRAMATIC CLUB. The Kelvinside Dramatic Club, which is under the direction of Miss Jane Thompson, presented last night in the…

April 1929: Playing for a Mission Hospital – Nessie Knight Dramatic Club – J. M. Barrie’s “The Little Minister”, at the Lyric Theatre

An article on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 29th of April, 1929, reads: "PLAYING FOR A MISSION HOSPITAL The performance of 'The Little Minister' by the Nessie Knight Dramatic Club in the Lyric Theatre,…

Letters to the Editor, “Daily Record and Mail”, April 1940 – Nessie Knight Club

On page eleven of the Daily Record and Mail, on Tuesday the 16th of April, 1940, is a letter from Nessie Knight Paterson, of Langside, in Glasgow. It reads: "NESSIE KNIGHT CLUB Sir, - I should like to…

December 1961: Death of Mrs William Bilsland (Elsie Smeaton Munro) – Glasgow Playwright

Mrs William Bilsland - Elsie Smeaton Munro - died on the 20th of December, 1961, at 8 Prince Albert Road in Glasgow. The notice of her death is on page twelve of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 22nd. Her…

February 1911: Dickens’s Birthday Celebration – Dramatic Entertainment in the Athenaeum Hall

An article on page three of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 2nd of February, 1911, reads: "DICKENS'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. This year the Dickens birthday celebration, under the auspices of the Glasgow Dickens Society, will take the form…

January 1922: “Dick Whittington” – Athenaeum Pantomime, in Aid of S.N.S.P.C.C.

An article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 5th of January, 1922, reads: "CHILDREN'S PANTOMIME AT GLASGOW ATHENAEUM In aid of the Glasgow District Branch of the Scottish National Society for the Prevention of…

January 1922: “Dick Whittington” – Athenaeum Pantomime, in Aid of S.N.S.P.C.C.

There is an advertisement on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 4th of January, 1922, for the Athenaeum Pantomime. Produced by Mr Percival Steeds, Dick Whittington is described as "A Real Children's Entertainment". Tickets cost 3s 6d,…

March 1939: ‘Bobbie Dazzler’, at the Princess’s Theatre, “Surely is the champion long-distance ‘runner’ of British pantomimes”

An article on page ten of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 28th of March, 1939, reads: " 'BOBBIE DAZZLER' AT THE PRINCESS'S THEATRE The pantomime at the Princess's Theatre entered last night on still another week of…

December 1938: Glasgow University Settlement – Queen Margaret Players Stage Pantomime

An article on page twelve of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 13th of December, 1938, reads: "GLASGOW UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT QUEEN MARGARET PLAYERS STAGE PANTOMIME The Queen Margaret Players, the members of which are recruited from the…

December 1869: “Hengler’s Cirque, Glasgow – The Spectacle of Cinderella”

On Saturday the 18th of December, 1869, the Renfrewshire Independent published an article on page five, relating to Hengler's production of Cinderella in Glasgow. The show had been presented "last season" in Liverpool, and the article includes a substantial review…

December 1869: Review in the (Glasgow) ‘Evening Citizen’, of “Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper” at Hengler’s Cirque, West Nile Street

An article on page three of the Evening Citizen, on Friday the 17th of December, 1869, reads: " CINDERELLA, OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER. The season of pantomime, and Christmas and New-Year Festivity, was inaugurated last night with…

February 1922: The Princess’s Pantomime – “Peter Wilkins”

An article on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 21st of February, 1922, reads: "THE PRINCESS'S PANTOMIME The lark has already been heard in song in the Glasgow suburbs and the thrush has opened his…

February 1922: Greek Play in Glasgow – “Antigone” of Sophocles, in Hengler’s Circus

An article on page thirteen of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 3rd of February, 1922, reads: "GREEK PLAY IN GLASGOW Arrangements have been made for the production of the ancient Greek play 'Antigone' of Sophocles in Hengler's…

May 1892: Mr W. Graham Moffat in Aberdeen

A short notice on page three of the Aberdeen Evening Express, on Wednesday the 4th of May, 1892, reads: "MR W. GRAHAM MOFFAT IN ABERDEEN. - Mr W. Graham Moffat, son of the late Professor Wm. Moffat, Glasgow, is…

Let’s Not Forget William Graham Moffat, Who Died in December 1951

[caption id="attachment_12644" align="alignnone" width="304"] Cowan Dobson, Graham Moffat (1866-1951), Actor and Playwright; Reproduced Courtesy of the National Galleries of Scotland.[/caption] An obituary on page three of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 14th of December, 1951, reads: …

July 1945: Mr A. Parry Gunn Dead – Producer of Noted Pageants

An article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 30th of July, 1945, reads: "MR A. PARRY GUNN DEAD Producer of Noted Pageants Mr A. Parry Gunn, 6 Belhaven Terrace, Glasgow, who died on…

An Editorial Diary, August 1945: “Senior Service” – Parry Gunn and the Pageant at Garscube

On Wednesday the 1st of August, 1945, an entry in The Glasgow Herald's 'An Editorial Diary', on page four of the paper, reads: "Senior Service Parry Gunn, whose death was recorded on Monday, used to tell a story…

February 1937: Tenth Birthday Programme of Children’s Theatre

Please note before reading the article below, that it contains words and terms, in common use in the twentieth century, which may offend the reader. An article on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 1st of…

October 1901: Govan Jubilee Nurses’ Fund – Performance of “Cramond Brig”, by Mr W. F. Frame’s Company, in the Town Hall

A short article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 22nd of October, 1901, reads: "GOVAN JUBILEE NURSES' FUND. - In connection with the Jubilee Nurses' Fund for Govan, inaugurated by Mrs Kirkwood, a concert was…

January 1900: Entertainment in Aid of the Soldiers’ Home

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 17th of January, 1900, informs readers that: "The Scottish Rifles at present stationed at Maryhill will be paraded in the barrack square, and, headed by the band…

January 1900: Entertainment in Aid of the Soldiers’ Home

An article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 16th of January, 1900, reads: "ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE SOLDIERS' HOME. - The entertainment which is to take place, by permission of Messrs Howard &…

January 1900: Performance of “The Idler”, by Members of the Glasgow Athenaeum Dramatic Club, in the Public Hall, Stirling, on Behalf of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association

An article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 15th of January, 1900, reads: "PERFORMANCE OF 'THE IDLER' AT STIRLING. - On Saturday night the members of the Glasgow Athenaeum Dramatic Club gave a very successful…

At the Play, March 1936: Fashion Aboard a Liner – “Anything Goes”, at the Alhambra Theatre

On Tuesday the 24th of March, 1936, the magnificent Cunard White Star liner, the Queen Mary, left Clydebank, to head for the open sea. The previous day, readers of The Glasgow Herald were provided with two charts showing the route,…

Death of Marie Litton, April 1884

A short article on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 2nd of April, 1884, reads: "DEATH OF MARIE LITTON. - Miss Marie Litton (Mrs W. Wybrow Robertson), the actress, died yesterday morning at her residence, 6…

Review of Miss Helen Kirk’s Performance as ‘Julia’, in “The Hunchback”, in the Queen’s Rooms, on Monday the 28th of January, 1867

A review on page two of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 29th of January, 1867, reads: "AMATEUR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE. - A performance was given in the Queen's Rooms, last night, by the members of Mr Harcourt Beatty (Bland's)…

The Late Mr William Moffat, Professor of Elocution, December 1880

Notice of William Moffat's death on the front page of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 14th of December, 1880. In the 1879-1880 Post Office Directory, Moffat is listed on page 370, as: "teacher of elocution, 276 Renfrew street, and…

January 1913: “Henry Talbot” Dramatic Club – Fortnightly Entertainment in the Industrial Shelter for Homeless Men, Possilpark

An article on page seven of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 27th of January, 1913, reads: "The fortnightly entertainment to the inmates of the Industrial Shelter for Homeless Men, Killearn Street, Possilpark, was given on Saturday evening under…

March 1877: Waverley Literary and Dramatic Association – “Rob Roy”, at the Queen’s Rooms

A notice on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 13th of March, 1877, reads: "WAVERLEY LITERARY AND DRAMATIC ASSOCIATION. — A fault sometimes found with amateur dramatic societies is that they choose pieces the representation of…

Josh Silsbee, “the Great Yankee Actor”, and Benjamin Barnett, at the Prince’s Theatre, March 1852

Josh Silsbee A small advertisement on the front page of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 15th of March, 1852, notified readers that Josh Silsbee, "the Great Yankee Actor," would be appearing at the Prince's that evening, in "Two…

Theatre and Circus Treats to Children, January 1883

From page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 29th of January, 1883: "THEATRE AND CIRCUS TREATS TO CHILDREN.- On the invitation of the acting managers of Hengler's Cirque, the Grand Theatre, and the Gaiety, above 1000 school…

Hillhead Amateur Dramatic Society at the Queen’s Rooms, April 1881

From page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 14th of April, 1881: "HILLHEAD AMATEUR DRAMATIC SOCIETY.- A very enjoyable theatrical entertainment was given last night by the members of the Hillhead Amateur Dramatic Society to a select…

Amateur Theatrical Performances: Two Benefits for John Dobson, the Stage Manager and Principal Comedian of the Local Irving Club, November 1883

From page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Thursday the 29th of November, 1883: "AMATEUR THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES.- Mr John Dobson, who is known as the stage manager and principal comedian of the local Irving Dramatic Club, being about to…

Miss Grace Jean Crocker’s Dramatic and Musical Recital in Hillhead, in the Burgh Hall, on Tuesday the 23rd of November, 1897

A review of the recital was published on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 24th of November, 1897. It reads: "In the Burgh Hall, Hillhead, last night a dramatic and musical recital was given by Miss…

Complimentary Dinner to Mr. W. F. (William Flint) Frame, at Glasgow’s Windsor Hotel, on Tuesday the 8th of November, 1898

From page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 9th of November, 1898: "Mr W. F. Frame, the well-known comedian and vocalist, was entertained by a number of friends at dinner in the Windsor Hotel last night before…

Amateur Performances of “Rob Roy”, by the Freemasons of Glasgow, in Aid of the Benevolent Fund, at the Grand Theatre, May 1887.

An advertisement on page nine of The Glasgow Herald, on Wednesday the 4th of May, 1887, informed theatre-goers about the Freemasons of Glasgow's amateur production of Rob Roy at the Grand Theatre, the managing director of which was Mr. Thomas…

Queen Margaret College Bazaar, Dramatic Performance “Our Regiment”, Queen’s Rooms, November 1892

On the front page of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 7th of November 1892, there is an advertisement in the "Popular Entertainments" column for the Queen Margaret College Bazaar Dramatic Performance. Our Regiment was scheduled to take place at…

Death of Campbell Gullan, Glasgow-born Actor and Producer, in December 1939

1919 portrait of Campbell Gullan, by Bassano Ltd. Campbell Gullan (1881-1939), the Glasgow-born actor and producer, died in London on the 1st of December 1939. His death notice on the front page of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday…

December 1939: “The Women”, at Glasgow’s Alhambra Theatre

Advertisements in The Glasgow Herald, for Clare Boothe's The Women, a comedy of manners, describe it as the "Play that made London and New York gasp;" "one glorious welter of smashing wisecracks;" "a modern 'School for Scandal;' "the most brilliant…

Mrs Patrick Campbell as “Hedda Gabler”, at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre, September, 1907

Photographic portrait of Mrs. Patrick Campbell, 1902, by George Charles Beresford. Reproduced courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London. A review of Mrs. Patrick Campbell's performance as 'Hedda Gabler', was reviewed on page ten of The Glasgow Herald…

Oedipus Rex: “Great Spectacle at the King’s Theatre”, Glasgow, March 1912

"MR MARTIN HARVEY PRESENTS MAX REINHARDT'S Production of SOPHOCLES' OEDIPUS REX" The above was the "IMPORTANT ATTRACTION" advertised on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 26th of March, 1912. On page seven of the same issue, is…

July 1934: Tallulah Bankhead at Glasgow’s Empire Theatre

Photograph of Tallulah Bankhead, by Dorothy Wilding. "TALLULAH BANKHEAD AT THE EMPIRE" is the heading of the review of the show on page seventeen of The Glasgow Herald, on Tuesday the 1oth of July, 1934. The critic…

Gertrude Lawrence and Douglas Fairbanks Junior, at Glasgow’s King’s Theatre, May 1934

Photograph of Douglas Fairbanks Junior and Gertrude Lawrence, by Dorothy Wilding, 1934. Reproduced courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London. In May 1934, Gertude Lawrence (1898-1952) and Douglas Fairbanks Junior (1909-2000), starred in The Winding Journey, a…

Sophie Tucker at Glasgow’s Empire Theatre, July 1934

Sophie Tucker arriving in New York, in 1931. Sophie Tucker (1886-1966), who was described as "The First and Last of the Red Hot Mommas," in advertisements in Glasgow newspapers, was starring at the city's Empire Theatre, for one week, …

Glasgow Pantomimes: “Dick Whittington”, starring Vesta Tilley, at the Theatre-Royal, 3rd December 1892 to 25th February 1893

Dick Whittington opened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday the 3rd of December, 1892. A review published on page nine of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 5th of December, commented: "Coming at the beginning of December an entertainment…

Madame Anna Pavlova in Glasgow, November 1911

[caption id="attachment_1369" align="alignnone" width="214"] Le Mort du Cygne: Anna Pavlova, 1911 by Sir John Lavery 1856-1941. Reproduced courtesy of the Tate.[/caption] On Tuesday the 21st of November, The Glasgow Herald, on page seven, provided its readers with a positive…

Anna Pavlova is Coming to Glasgow, November 1911

Photograph of Anna Pavlova, dating from around 1905. Advertisements in Glasgow's newspapers, such as one on page eight of The Glasgow Herald, 8th of November 1911, informed readers that Anna Pavlova, "THE DANCING REVELATION OF THE AGE", would be…

Billie Barlow in “The Bicycle Girl”, at The Theatre-Royal, Glasgow, May 1897

Photograph of Billie Barlow, c. 1890. Billie Barlow (1862-1937) was a highly successful singer, who performed with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, first in the chorus and then as a soloist, from 1878 to 1883. In May…

Opening Night of the Glasgow Empire Palace Theatre, Monday 5th April, 1897: Vesta Tilley Tops the Bill

Photographic portrait, published in the late 1890s by Ogden's. Reproduced courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery. Vesta Tilley was the stage name of Matilda Alice Powles (1864-1952). She was one of the most successful music hall entertainers,…

Glasgow Empire Palace Theatre, April 1897

An extensive article on page nine of The Glasgow Herald, on Saturday the third of April, provides readers with a detailed account of the new theatre which was to open to the public on Monday the fifth. The building…

The Glasgow Empire Palace License, April 1887

A notice on page six of The Glasgow Herald, on Saturday the third of April reads: "A special meeting of the Magistrates of Glasgow was held yesterday to consider an application by the Glasgow Empire Palace (Limited) for a license…

Students’ Amateur Performance, The National Tragedy of “Wallace”, by Professor Buchanan, 20th March 1862

A short article on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 21st of March, 1862, reads: "STUDENTS' AMATEUR PERFORMANCE.- The National Tragedy of 'Wallace,' by Professor Buchanan, was performed last night, in the Prince's Theatre, by students…

“Wallace: A Tragedy”, Written by Professor Buchanan, Performed by Students, Prince’s Theatre, March 1862

An advertisement on the front page of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday the 17th of March, 1862, provides details of the performance which was scheduled for Thursday the 20th of March. The play, which would be performed by students, was…

November 1866: Miss Amy Sedgwick’s First Appearance in Glasgow, as ‘Julia’, in Knowles’s “The Hunchback”

Miss Amy Sedgwick c. 1860 Miss Sedgwick was engaged for twelve nights at the Theatre Royal, in November 1866. The newspaper advertisements informed readers that this was her first appearance in Glasgow, and she was to appear as 'Julia'…

“Wallace and Bruce, or The Scottish Chiefs”, at the Prince of Wales’ Theatre, November 1867

The first performance of the "National Drama" took place on Saturday the 23rd of November, 1867, and, on the 27th, The Glasgow Herald commented, on page four: "PRINCE OF WALES' THEATRE. - 'Wallace and Bruce,' a new three-act drama,…

April 1869: ‘New Edition’ of “Rob Roy” at the Royal Colosseum Theatre

From page five of The Glasgow Herald, Monday the 12th of April, 1869: "COLOSSEUM THEATRE. 'ROB ROY.' On Saturday night there was produced at the Colosseum Theatre what the playbill describes as a 'new edition' of the national…

Miss Bateman in “Leah”, Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street, November 1864

In November 1864, the Glasgow newspapers informed readers that Miss Bateman, "the great TRAGEDIENNE", was engaged for twelve nights only, and would "make her First Appearance in Glasgow on MONDAY, 28TH NOVEMBER, In her celebrated character of LEAH", which she…

Theatre Royal, For Sale, 1814

An advertisement in the Glasgow Herald, Monday 7th February 1814, page 3, reads: "In pursuance of the Orders of a GENERAL MEETING of the PROPRIETORS held here on the 21st current, the THEATRE ROYAL will be sold, by public roup,…

James Sheridan Knowles: Choice of Glasgow as His Burial-Place

Knowles's obituary is on page four of The Glasgow Herald, on Monday 8th December, 1862, and includes the following: "Mr. Knowles died in England, and was by birth a native of the South of Ireland, yet he chose Glasgow…

J. L. (John Lawrence) Toole’s Performance in Aid of the Blantyre Relief Fund, November 1877

On Wednesday the 14th of November, 1877, page one, The Glasgow Herald has an advertisement for a "Morning Performance" by J. L Toole (1832-1906), at the Theatre Royal, on Saturday November the 17th. It was in aid of the Blantyre…

January 1820: James Sheridan Knowles & Junior Elocution Class – Lecture in Aid of the Industrious Poor

See Glasgow Herald, Monday 10th January 1820, page 3. An advertisement informing readers that the young gentlemen of the junior elocution class "having offered their services in aid of the Fund for the Industrious Poor, Mr. Knowles announces a…

Mr. Mason in James Sheridan Knowles’s ‘William Tell’, 19th July 1830, Theatre Royal, York Street

On the 19th of July 1830, an advertisement for the Theatre Royal, York Street, in that day's Herald, page 3, announced that Mr. Mason would be playing the title-role, in James Sheridan Knowles's celebrated tragedy, William Tell. The five-act…

April 1830: ‘Mary Stuart’, the National Melo-Drama, at Theatre Royal, York Street

On page three of the Glasgow Herald, on Friday the 30th of April 1830, is an advertisement for the "National Melo-Drama of Mary Stuart", with Miss Mason as Mary Stuart (Queen of Scots), at the Theatre Royal, York Street. …

March 1830: Mr. Macarthy’s Benefit at the Theatre Royal, York Street; Mr. Vandenhoff at Dunlop Street

On page 3 of the Glasgow Herald Monday March 15 1830 are two theatre advertisements: one for Mr. Macarthy's benefit at the Theatre Royal, York Street; the other for Mr. Vandenhoff, the distinguished tragedian, in Shakespeare's Coriolanus, and other roles,…

‘The Beggar’s Daughter of Bethnal Green’: James Sheridan Knowles’s Dedication to Kirkman Finlay

James Sheridan Knowles dedicated his comedy, The Beggar's Daughter of Bethnal Green, to Kirkman Finlay. Published in 1828, it reads: "To Kirkman Finlay, Esq. President of the Roman Catholic Schools' Association, &c. &c. &c. MY DEAR SIR, …

James Sheridan Knowles: ‘Virginius’, 1820

Following a discussion of Joseph Addison's Cato, 1713, described as perhaps the "most famous and enduring of the Roman republican dramas", by Jeffrey Richards in The Ancient World on the Victorian and Edwardian Stage, 2009, page 30, the author moves…

James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862)

Wilhelm Trautschold, James Sheridan Knowles, oil, National Portrait Gallery, London. James Sheridan Knowles, the Irish-born actor and dramatic poet, and teacher of elocution in Glasgow, has been described as "one of the key figures in drama and theatre between the…

Mr. Sapio, August 1825

Stipple engraving of Mr. Sapio, Lewis after Wageman, 1824. Mr. Sapio, the Celebrated Vocalist of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, was engaged by Mr. Seymour, for two nights only, to perform in the opera The Siege of Belgrade, at…

October 1828: Miss Foote in ‘Valeria! The Blind Orphan!’, at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street

The last night of Miss Foote's engagement at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street, was held on Friday 24th of October. She performed the title-role in Valeria! The Blind Orphan, a new comedy, as performed in London. In her character, Miss…

October 1828: Miss Foote at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street

Miss Foote, in character as Maria Darlington in Morton's A Roland for an Oliver, print by Charles Picart, after George Clint, A.R.A, 1822. On the 20th of October 1828, an advertisement on page three in the Glasgow Herald…

Hannah Cowley (1743-1809)

Portrait of Hannah Cowley, etching and engraving by George Murray, after Richard Cosway. Born Hannah Parkhouse, she married Thomas Cowley and the couple subsequently moved to London. Her major plays were: The Runaway, 1776; Who's the Dupe?, 1779; Albina, 1779;…

The National Drama

An extract from Barbara Bell's article, 'The National Drama', published in Theatre Research International, Volume 17, Issue 2, Summer 1992, pages 96-108, and published online by Cambridge University Press in 2009, describes it as: "... a nineteenth-century dramatic genre unique…

James Sheridan Knowles and the Necropolis

In The Life of James Sheridan Knowles, 1872, page 156, his son James commented: He had often, in speaking of "the city of his affections, "expressed a desire, when his end should come, to be buried there. And now,…

‘A History of Scottish Theatre’, edited by Bill Findlay, 1998

Of particular interest in this book, is Chapter Three, 'The Nineteenth Century', by Barbara Bell, pages 137-206. George Fairfull-Smith, January 2020.

Donald Campbell, ‘Playing for Scotland: A History of the Scottish Stage 1715-1965’, 1996

Chapter Six in Donald Campbell's book is titled 'The Glasgow Boys', and the author comments in the opening paragraph, page 72: "The Glasgow Theatre has a history that is completely different from that of Edinburgh. Lacking the status of…

‘The Belle’s Stratagem’

The Belle's Stratagem, which was written by the playwright Hannah Cowley (1743-1809), is a romantic comedy of manners. It was premiered at the Drury Lane theatre in 1780, and was Cowley's most successful work. The play drew its name from…

March 1810: ‘The Family Legend’, The First Night of Miss Baillie’s New Tragedy at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street

The Family Legend: A Tragedy tells the story of a fifteenth-century feud between the Lord of Argyll and the Chieftain of Maclean, on the Isle of Mull. It had its first performances at the Edinburgh Theatre in 1810. An…

Mrs. Davison at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street, June 1819

On June the 4th, 1819, an advertisement in the Glasgow Herald, page 3, noted that Mr. Mason informed theatre-goers that, after undergoing a number of alterations and improvements, the Theatre Royal would open on the 7th of June, for the…

Mrs. Glover: Julia Betterton Glover (1779-1850)

Julia Betterton Glover was an Irish-born stage actress, well-known for her comic roles in the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Born Julia Butterton, she married Samuel Glover, in 1800, in London. Her father, the theatre manager William Butterton promoted the…

Mrs. Davison: Maria Rebecca Davison (1750-1858)

Portrait of Rebecca Davison, by Charles Turner (1773-1857), after George Henry Harlow (1787-1819) Born Maria Rebecca Duncan, the daughter of actors, she was a child performer, playing cupids, fairies and hobgoblins. Growing up, she made a number of stage appearances.…

Miss Foote: Maria Foote (1797-1867)

Maria Stanhope, Countess of Harrington, better known as Maria Foote was born in Plymouth, where her father was a theatre manager. In 1810, she appeared as Juliet, in Romeo and Juliet, at her father's theatre where she also played as…

Fanny Kemble 1809-93, actress and writer

Portrait of Fanny Kemble, hand-coloured stipple engraving by Charles Picart, after Sir Thomas Lawrence, published in 1831. Frances Anne "Fanny" Kemble was a notable British actress, member of the famous Kemble theatrical family, and a niece of Sarah Siddons…

Fanny Kemble in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street, Glasgow, June 1830

Illustration of Miss Fanny Kemble as 'Juliet'. Fairbairn's Portraits, No. 21. c. 1837 Fanny Kemble performed one of her most famous roles at the city's Theatre Royal, Dunlop Street, in June 1830. An advertisement in the Glasgow Herald, 21st June,…

Mrs. Glover, in ‘The Belle’s Stratagem’, at The Theatre Royal, Queen Street, in 1810

On Friday the 19th of January 1810, an advertisement in the Glasgow Herald, page 3, for Madame Catalani's performances at the Theatre Royal, Queen Street, informed readers that the "favourite Comedy" of The Belle's Stratagem would open at the theatre…

Glasgow Theatricals – And The What-You-Please Club

In Glasgow and Its Clubs, 1856, John Strang provides an account of Glasgow's theatrical history and one of its best-known clubs. The What-you-please first met some time around 1798. Its originator was Dr. Drumgold who was the inspecting medical officer…

The Theatre Royal, Queen Street, Glasgow

View of the Theatre Royal, Queen Street, drawn by James Denholm and engraved by Robert Scott. In Glasgow and its Clubs, 1856, writing about The What-You-Please Club, John Strang commented about the theatre, pages 319-20: "It was here that Kean…

Theatre

Glasgow's incredibly rich cultural heritage embraces: theatres; playwrights; actors and actresses; theatre managers and owners; programmes, playbills and posters. On this site is a taste of what happened and when, and references to published and archival sources for those who…