City Halls and Fruitmarket, Candleriggs, Glasgow
Glasgow Index
Above - The City Halls and Fruitmarket, Glasgow in 2003 - Photo M.L.
The
Glasgow City Hall is part of a larger building which includes an earlier
Fruitmarket which was built in 1882 and designed by John Carrick. The City Hall itself was not built until 1841 and was designed by
George Murray.
The Hall was designed to be used for official and public meetings but also as a concert hall where all manor of artistes, including Music Hall artistes, performed over the years, including my own ancestors Arthur Lloyd and his father Horatio Lloyd.
Right - A Poster for Arthur Lloyd's 'Two Hours Fun' at the City Hall Glasgow - Click to enlarge - The poster is one of a large collection of original Lloyd Posters.
The
Fruitmarket which is next to the City Hall was in use as a market since
its inception in 1882 right
up until the 1970s when it was put to use as another concert venue.
In January of 2006 both the City Hall and the Fruitmarket were renovated and are now used by the BBC as their home for the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, and a regular concert space for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. The buildings also function as an education centre.
Left
- The City Halls, Glasgow. And Right - A Blue Plaque which is on the
right hand column surrounding the entrance which reads: 'Merchant City
Trail - City Halls - Victorian Market Halls and Concert Hall 1840 -
1885.' - Photos M.L.
Arthur Lloyd is known to have performed at the City Hall, Glasgow in 1862 1863 1869 1879 1886 1890 1900, and Horatio Lloyd had his Farewell from the stage benefit there in 1869. (Details below.)
You may like to visit the City Halls' own website here.
Above - The City Halls, Glasgow in 2003 - Photo M.L.
Arthur Lloyd at the City Hall, Glasgow
Above - Notice from the ERA Almanack Advertiser 1871 about the 'Comic Concert' pioneered by Arthur Lloyd and held at the City Hall, Glasgow - Courtesy Peter Charlton - Click to see details of this concert.
Mr. Arthur Lloyd was the first man who ever gave a "Comic Concert." - The Company on that occasion included Mr. W. Lingard, Mr. Harry Clifton, and Mr. Lloyd, of the Theatre Royal, Glasgow (Father of Mr. Arthur Lloyd). The Concert took place at the City Hall, Glasgow, about six years ago, before an audience of nearly four thousand persons; and the receipts were over two hundred pounds, the prices being 2s, 1s, and 6d. After that others followed in the same style, till now a "Comic Concert" is as common as it was then novel. Mr. Arthur Lloyd has appeared twice by command before H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and suite, H.R.H. being pleased to compliment Mr. A. Lloyd on his gentlemanly style of performance. Mr. A. Lloyd makes tours of England, Ireland, and Scotland every year, with his Entertainment, entitled "Two Hours' Genuine Fun," with Arthur Lloyd and his Comic Company.
From the ERA Almanack Advertiser of 1871
Above - Mr. Arthur Lloyd in Glasgow - Glasgow News, September 29, 1878. - Courtesy Jennifer Carnell.
"Popular Concerts. - A little nonsense, according to the old adage, is relished by the wisest people, and if Washington Irving may be believed, there is no social companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and the laughter abundant. It is generally considered that nonsense ought to be administered sparingly, by infinitesimal doses, as it were; but the audience at the City Hall on Saturday evening showed that larger proportions did not altogether disagree with the public digestion. They were promised 'two hours genuine fun,' and they got them; for Mr.Arthur Lloyd, the versatile son of our veteran comedian, was there in great force, accompanied by a party whose native drollery was calculated to set any table in a roar. The effect of the performance was not wholly what Goldsmith described as 'the loud laugh that speaks the vacant mind.' It was rather that happy ebullition of merriment which braces the vital power, enlivens the spirits, and makes a man better disposed towards his fellows than he was before. A healthy exuberance of animal spirits was apparent all through, and the outward mirth afforded indubitable evidence of inward satisfaction. We are free to confess that the members of Mr. Arthur Lloyd's party are about the funniest people we have seen for a long time, and that their sallies of humour were met by those frank manifestations of delight so unmistakably dear to every public performer." - Glasgow News, September 29, 1878.
Horatio Lloyd at the City Hall, Glasgow
Above - An advertisement for Horatio Lloyd's Farewell of the Stage at the City Hall, Glasgow, also appearing were his son Arthur Lloyd and his company - From the Glasgow Herald of the 5th of October 1869.
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