Panto Gallery

Waldorf Theatre, London

Promotional postcard for the Waldorf Theatre, London. Designed by the well known theatre architect W. G. R. Sprague it originally opened in 1905 as the Waldorf Theatre. But the theatre has also been known variously as the Whitney Theatre, the Strand Theatre (twice), and in 2005, it was renamed the Novello Theatre. The theatre was built as part of the Aldwych reconstruction which began at the turn of the Twentieth Century. The Waldorf Theatre was constructed at the bottom corner of Catherine Street - which was part of a vast new building consisting of the Waldorf Theatre itself, the new Waldorf Hotel in the centre, and at the far end, the Aldwych Theatre. Both Theatres were designed by the well known Theatre Architect W. G. R. Sprague and given identical exteriors. The Waldorf Theatre had a change of name in October 1909 when it was taken over by J. A. Harrison and became the Strand Theatre, but this was only temporary as in 1911 it was changed again, this time to the Whitney Theatre when it was bought by the American Manager F. C. Whitney. However, Whitney was not successful in this venture and the name reverted back to the Strand Theatre again in 1913 when Louis Meyer took up the reins, and this name would remain until 2005. Date: circa 1905

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

The Folly Theatre, Peter Street, Manchester

Promotional postcard showing a playbill of the acts playing at the Folly Theatre of Varieties, (known as the Folly) Peter Street, Manchester for the week commencing Monday, 24th March 1889. This particular bill, starred Marie Loftus (1857-1940) who was one of the great female stars of the British music hall. Known as "The Sarah Bernhardt of the Music Halls", she rose to become a leading national star, touring abroad to the USA and South Africa. The Music Hall and Theatre Review of Saturday, 30th May 1891 stated that "Tom Costello is still here", suggesting he was a regular and popular performer at The Folly. Date: circa 1889

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

London Coliseum - the Royal Box

Promotional postcard of the Royal Box of the London Coliseum. A Royal party visiting the Coliseum would enter by a private entrance into a richly furnished lounge, which upon a signal would move softly along on a track formed in the floor, through the salon and into a large foyer, which contained the entrance to the Royal Box. The lounge car remained in the position at the entrance to the box and served as an ante-room during the performance. The theatre was built by the theatrical architect Frank Matcham who intended it to be one of London's largest and most luxurious "family" variety theatres. Construction started in 1903 and it opened on 24 December the following year as the London Coliseum Theatre of Varieties. It is located in St. Martin's Lane, London. Date: circa 1905

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library