Memories of the Theatre Royal, Hanley
A great theatre that sadly closed a few years ago and is now a night club. I was a Front of House volunteer between 1984 and 1990 having many great memories of the stars, shows and most importantly the wonderful staff who helped keep the theatre running, may times on a wing a prayer…
Below there will be memories from fellow volunteers, backstage staff, audiences and with a bit of luck some of the stars! If you have ant Theatre Royal memories please feel free to get in touch and/or comment below.
July 11, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Hi,
A bit before your time perhaps, but my mother Mary Rowe Stage name (MARGO) was one of the ‘Hanley Babes’
and appeared in many pantomimes at The Theatre royal in the 40s.
I went to see many shows there including Frankie Vaughan, Steve Larrabee (the lone star cowboy). The illusionist David Burglass. The scenery in the pantomimes was wonderfull, nay magical. Some of the best in the world. Palaces, Caves, and real waterfalls etc.
I do have some pictures. I am interested in any help I can get that lists what shows were there and the dates 1942-1953. Particularly Panto’s. Can you help?
Best wishes
Gary.
February 16, 2009 at 7:37 pm
I was a Hanley Babe during the ’40s and appeared in many pantomimes, such as Goldilocks, which was in 1943. I taught dancing in Stoke under the name The Valdette Studio. Following the death of Eileen Kelly and the retirement of Beryl Cooper, I took over the Hanley Babes for two years prior to my leaving for South Africa. I also danced professionally at the Theatre Royal in variety with my dance act “The Valettes”. It would be good to be notified of any pupil or past dancing friends respond to this comment.
April 7, 2009 at 7:20 am
As a baby my mother Gladys Whiston took me to the Theatre Royal when she taught the girls in the chorus before the evening show. This would have been from 1942 to I think 1945. My memory is being made a great fuss of by the Babes. I was born in May 1942 but it is possibly my earliest memory.
Ware you one of those babes? I am sending this again because I forgot to tick the box!
April 16, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I was in the Hanley Babes from 1943 until 1945. I don’t, however, remember your Mom. Eileen Kelly was my dance teacher; the choreography was normally done by Emil Littler. I appeared in Aladdin, and Goldilocks – those are the two that I remember best ……. it was some time back! After this, I toured as a Hanley Babe with Eileen Kelly. We travelled to Kettering, Morecombe, Burnley, Barnsley, Worcester and such places. I remember it being a wonderful experience, especially as I didn’t have to go to school, because we had a tutor backstage!