Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, Records (11D82)
1826 - 1974
Francis Laidler the ‘King of Pantomime’ builds the Alhambra as a place to celebrate family entertainment
The Sunbeams, 1953-54 Season
Over the years the Alhambra stage has been host to a number of famous faces from all areas of the world of entertainment. From early 20th century acts such as The Two Rascals, Nervo and Knox, Darrell Fancourt, Arthur Askey, Laurel and Hardy and Vivien Leigh, on to mid 20th century performers such as Dick Emery, Wilfred Pickles, Lucille Graham and Tommy Cooper to more recent stars as diverse as Joanna Lumley, Little and Large, Wayne Sleep and Colin Firth!
Of equivalent fame in Laidler's pantomimes were 'The Sunbeams' a dance group of local girls aged 12, who would perform in the shows. They were well looked after, had to have regular attendance at school for the previous six months, and be in perfect health. If they were to star in a show away from home they stayed in a large house under supervision.
The Alhambra was an extravagant building for the period with marble foyers, electric lighting and upholstered seats and with no pillars to obstruct the view of the plays. In 1964 the building was bought by Bradford Council and it became a Grade II listed building in 1974. After a refurbishment in 1986 it still today receives large scale touring theatre of all types.
Of equivalent fame in Laidler's pantomimes were 'The Sunbeams' a dance group of local girls aged 12, who would perform in the shows. They were well looked after, had to have regular attendance at school for the previous six months, and be in perfect health. If they were to star in a show away from home they stayed in a large house under supervision.
The Alhambra was an extravagant building for the period with marble foyers, electric lighting and upholstered seats and with no pillars to obstruct the view of the plays. In 1964 the building was bought by Bradford Council and it became a Grade II listed building in 1974. After a refurbishment in 1986 it still today receives large scale touring theatre of all types.
Actor's script for the 1953-54 season pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk'
The Alhambra Theatre collection has a vast amount of records including posters, scripts and programmes for a number of performances over the years, many of which were written by the proprietor Francis Laidler until his death in 1955.
The collection also contains financial records and Bradford Archives have a number of related collections that contain records of the Alhambra Theatre. There are also records held for the other main theatres in Bradford including the Priestley Centre for the Arts (originally Bradford Playhouse) (ref. 37D79).
View the entry on our online catalogue, or visit their website for interesting facts about the theatre.
The collection also contains financial records and Bradford Archives have a number of related collections that contain records of the Alhambra Theatre. There are also records held for the other main theatres in Bradford including the Priestley Centre for the Arts (originally Bradford Playhouse) (ref. 37D79).
View the entry on our online catalogue, or visit their website for interesting facts about the theatre.
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