The Old Dog Music Hall, Wigan, Lancashire

Wigan Theatres

A photograph of the Entrance to the Old Dog Music Hall - With kind permission Wigan Reference Library.

Above - A photograph of the Entrance to the Old Dog Music Hall - With kind permission Wigan Reference Library.

A photograph of the Alleyway beside the Old Dog Music Hall - With kind permission Wigan Reference Library. The re-opening announcement of the Old Dog Music Hall (under new management) appeared in the Wigan Observer on Saturday, August 28th 1886:-

OLD DOG MUSIC HALL WIGAN

Prop. Mr Will Morris
Chairman Mr Jim Murphy
Pianist Mr John Dickinson
Mr Morris begs to inform the public of Wigan and neighbourhood that he intends opening the above place of entertainment: After extensive Alteration and Beautifying as a regular Music Hall, on Monday September 6th 1886.
With a first class company of professional artistes.
And hopes by strict attention to the wants of his Patrons to merit a fair share of Public Patronage.
OLDFIELDS SPARKLING ALES.
Wines and Cigars of the Finest Brands and Semi-Billiards.
Open Every Evening at 7pm
Saturday at 6pm
Mondays at 7 30pm
ADMISSION FREE

Right - A photograph of the Alleyway beside the Old Dog Music Hall - With kind permission Wigan Reference Library.

This establishment was situated next door to the Alexandra Music Hall, and was previously a coaching inn. The Music Hall was first run by Will Morris with its Chairman being Jim Murphy. It was a popular Music Hall with regular changes of acts but a report on the safety of the place just a year after opening stated that 'the house is not at all adapted for a music hall, and undoubtedly, in case of fire or panic, lives would be sacrificed or limbs'.

An Advertisement for Chadwick's Varieties at the Old Dog Music Hall, Wigan - From the Cricketers' Herald, Athletic & Football Times, 5th of November 1889. Nevertheless it continued to function with great success, as a Music Hall, for nearly twenty more years, one of its last proprietors was Gilbert Jolley who died in January 1898. The Music Hall was then taken by Harry Chadwick in 1899, a former variety artists and dancer, with its Chairman being Tom Duddle and advertisements calling the entertainments there Chadwick's Varieties.

Left - An Advertisement for Chadwick's Varieties at the Old Dog Music Hall, Wigan - From the Cricketers' Herald, Athletic & Football Times, 5th of November 1889.

The proprietor however, during this period was Gilbert Jolley's wife who had continued to run it after her husband's death. She ran it for several more years but it was eventually closed in 1902, after which it became an ordinary public house again until it was demolished in 1970.

This article on the Old Dog Music Hall, Wigan was originally written by George Richmond and kindly sent in for inclusion on this site in March 2012. It was updated by M.L. in 2026. The article is © copyright George Richmond 2012.

If you have any more information or images for this Theatre that you are willing to share please Contact me.