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London Music Hall, Bridge Street, Manchester

Later - The Queen's Theatre / Royal Amphitheatre & Circus

Manchester Index

'The Queen's Theatre in Bridge-street has had a checkered career. Originally an hotel, its history as a place of amusement dates from the time when Dr. Marks and his "little men" gave some very clever musical entertainments there. Mr Helliwell, the india rubber manufacturer, reconstructed the building to serve the purposes of "The London Music Hall." Further alterations transformed the building into a circus and amphitheatre, and Mr Garcia, its lessee, subsequently succeeded in getting the place licensed for the performance of stage plays, and the first piece enacted under the new order was Formosa.

Right - A Music Hall Poster for the London Music Hall, Manchester in 1864. On the Bill were The Sisters Gillbee Glifford, Mr and Mrs St John, The Brothers Pentland, Mr T Crossling, and Tibbets & Hamilton. Also advertising the following week with a Benefit for the Sisters Gillbee Gifford and Sam Collins. Poster from a private collection and kindly sent in for inclusion on the site.

When Mr Helliwell disposed of the theatre, Mr J. B. Dodson became the proprietor; Mr F. B. Egan, of the old theatre in Spring-gardens, and Mr Walter Rainham becoming the new lessees. After making extensive alterations they inaugurated their management by producing a new play called Insured at Lloyd's, continuing with stock pieces until the production of the pantomime The Forty Thieves. Mr Dodson himself, with Mr Bailey as manager, and afterwards Mr Edward Henry, carried on the theatre at a later date. A limited company were the next proprietors, Mr Henry being retained as manager. He was succeeded by Mr W. G. Irwen, who in turn gave place to a syndicate by whom Mr Edmonds was appointed manager. When Mr Salter became lessee under the syndicate, Mr J. C. Emmerson received the appointment of manager.
The theatre was carried on successfully until the expiration of a nine years' lease, when some dispute arose on the question of rent, which ended in the house remaining unoccupied for some time. Mr Richard Mansell was the first lessee to place the theatre on the popular basis, which has been its chief characteristic in recent years, by lowering the prices and catering for he multitude, a policy which was continued by Mr J. Pitt Hardacre who began theatrical life in Manchester at a salary of three shillings a-week, and who purchased the lease, goodwill, &c., of the theatre from Mr Mansell for £3,500. The theatre was destroyed by fire on Aug. 17th, 1890, and a new building erected by Booth and Chadwick, architects, which was opened on March 28th, 1891, with All that Glitters is Not Gold and Robert Macaire.'

The above text is from an article in the ERA, 4th of January 1896.

This Theatre and Music Hall, which had a capacity of 1,400, should not be confused with the Queen's Theatre, Spring Gardens, Manchester.

The building in its final years was eventually known as the Royal Amphitheatre & Circus but was sold in 1911 when its lease expired.

The Theatre was subsequently demolished.

If you know any more about this Theatre of have programmes or images you are willing to share please Contact Me...