There was no messing about from Largs OIR as they enjoyed a look back at one of the famous music halls of Glasgow which attracted top names including Cary Grant and Stan Laurel.
The retirement group welcomed Judith Bowers to their general meeting. She is the founder, director and historian for the conservation of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall in Glasgow.
This is the world’s oldest surviving music hall and when it opened its doors first in 1857 it provided entertainment to the working classes of Glasgow.
It was converted from an old warehouse above a public house and first found fame for its dancing girls to an audience of men and boys only.
By the late 1800s it included novelty acts to encourage women into the audience. These were as diverse as trapeze and high wire artists to hypnotists of alligators and snakes.
By the end of the 19th century a toilet had been installed and with the addition of electricity they began showing moving pictures.
In 1906 it was purchased by A.E. Pickard who brought his love of showmanship and inspiration from Barnum in America. He extended into the attic of the building where he introduced side shows and added freak shows. Down in the cellar he introduced a Noah’s ark - a basement zoo!
The Britannia changed its name to Panopticon in 1920s. This translation from Greek means ‘see everything under one roof’.
By the 1930s such prestigious names as Stan Laurel, Harry Lauder, Jack Buchanan and Archie Leech (Cary Grant) had trod the boards but it could not compete with the modern cinemas and variety theatres that were opening up in the city and it closed as a music hall.
After about sixty years of being used as a factory, shop and even an egg farm during the war, it has now re-opened under the Friends of Britannia Panopticon and is entertaining people with traditional music hall shows, classic cinema nights, exhibitions and comedy.
This was a great afternoon’s entertainment enjoyed by many and brought back some amazing memories. The afternoon was rounded off by a chorus of Harry Lauder’s ‘End of the Road’.
The next general meeting will be the OIR AGM to be held on Wednesday June 7 at 2pm in Clark Memorial Church Hall
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here