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Aberdeen Theatres: His Majesty's Theatre
3356 Seating more than 1400, His Majesty's Theatre is the largest theatre in North-East Scotland and is now a category A listed building.
Situated on Rosemount Viaduct, it was designed by the architect Frank Matcham and costed £35,000. It was originally built as a replacement for the former Her Majesty's Theatre (now the Tivoli), meeting the need for a larger venue and better staging facilities.
Robert Arthur, the theatre impresario, submitted the plans for the new theatre in 1901. Construction started in 1904 and it opened on the 3rd December 1906 with a production of the pantomime Little Red Riding Hood, of which you will see the programme next in this exhibition. The pantomime played to a full house on its opening night and ran until the end of the year to great success.
Arthur's company presented plays, opera and pantomimes until 1912, when it ran out of funds. Robert Arthur Theatres Ltd. sold the theatre in 1923 to Walter Gilbert, managing director of the Tivoli Theatre. It changed hands again in 1932, after Gilbert's death, when it was bought by Councillor James F. Donald. The new owner refurbished the venue and introduced new features such as a revolving stage and a cinema projector.
In 1975, Aberdeen City council bought the venue, then allocated £3.5 million to give it a new life. After being closed for 23 months, His Majesty's Theatre was reopened on the 17th of September 1982 by Prince Charles.
In 2004, the theatre was once again closed for refurbishment. It reopened in 2005, renovated and modernised with a new green room, a coffee shop and re-upholstered seating. Aberdeen Theatres: Sweet Red Riding Hood
3357 By selecting Red Riding Hood for the opening pantomime, the director of His Majesty Theatre, Mr Robert Arthur, made a happy hit as the traditional children's story attracted many people, young and old.
As a pantomime, the story of Little Red Riding Hood got somewhat lost in the musical and operatic melange but the performance was well applauded by both the public and the press. The pantomime, written by Frank Dix and composed by Jullien H. Wilson, was divided into two acts - the first in four scenes and the second in five. This "Book of Words" programme contains the script, photographs of the actors and some local adverts.
For the first two nights of the pantomime, bookings were reserved for debenture and preference shareholders only, of which there were a considerable number, as nearly all the money for the new building had been raised locally.
The pantomime, which ran till the end of the year, was greeted with whole-hearted applause from start to finish. Aberdeen Theatres: Emerald Isle
3358 A poster advertising performances of Emerald Isle (or The Caves of Carric-Cleena) at His Majesty's Theatre. The comic opera was a production of Mr J. S. Jackson's Amateur Opera Company and ran for six nights from 21st November 1910.
The poster indicates that the performances are taking place in aid of the King Edward New Hospital for Sick Children and lists a number of patrons of this undertaking.
Further down the poster is given details of the cast and crew and general information about the performances, including the price for various tickets. One note states that "Bonnets are not allowed in Orchestra Stalls or first three rows of Dress Circle."
Towards the bottom of the poster is a notice for an upcoming production of the George Bernard Shaw play Candida.
Robert Arthur is listed as the theatre's managing director and Mr. H. Adair Nelson is the acting manager.
The wording at the very bottom of the poster indicates it was created by W. & W. Lindsay, theatrical printers, 28 Market Street. Aberdeen Theatres: Vestibule of His Majesty's Theatre
3359 The vestibule of His Majesty's Theatre, with the Box Office to the right of centre. The doors to Rosemount Viaduct are on the right of the image.
By 1927, the fortunes of the theatre were at a low ebb. In an effort to publicise the building nationally, a pictorial article appeared in a glossy weekly entitled "A Model Theatre". The Press & Journal newspaper lead a public appeal to save HMT in 1931.
The vestibule's black and white marbled floor provides a striking entrance, as does the polished wood surrounds. The ceiling itself consisted of a series of pre-fabricated panels. In the centre is the curtained doorway, taking the visitor into the "posh" seats. Aberdeen Theatres: His Majesty's Theatre in 1936
3360 The exterior of His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct in May 1936.
Buses line the street outside the building. This is a summer line up of Aberdeen registered touring buses together with their smartly dressed drivers. The destinations of the vehicles include Lossiemouth and Killiekrankie.
The sign above HMT's main entrance advertises showings of two films: In Person with Ginger Rogers and George Brent and Old Gay Dog, about a vet played by Edward Rigby. These screenings were accompanied by a "singing, dancing and orchestral Irish scene" performed on the stage.
More regular film showings at HMT, and superior equipment to do so, were introduced by James F. Donald after he purchased the theatre in 1932.
The fine ionic columned building to the left of the image was originally known as the South United Free Church and later as St Marks Church. The Central Library is beyond. Aberdeen Theatres: The Maid of the Mountains
3361 The colourful front cover of the theatre flyer for a run of the popular musical. The show started on 10th December 1935 and ran for 5 days. The programme was created by publishing a firm from London called S. C. Allen & Company. Aberdeen Theatres: HMT programme
3362 The front cover of a programme for His Majesty's Theatre from the mid-20th century. The illustration shows the theatre busy at night and the Wallace Statue across the road. Aberdeen Theatres: Prince Charles at HMT's reopening
3363 Prince Charles on stage after the gala re-opening of His Majesty's Theatre on the 17th September 1982. The theatre had been closed for 23 months for renovation. Aberdeen Theatres: Tickets for Orion by Cavalli
3364 Two tickets for the Scottish Opera production of Orion by Pier Francesco Cavalli at His Majesty's Theatre on 27th September 1984. Aberdeen Theatres: Tickets for The Pirates of Penzance
3365 Three tickets for a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance by the Carl Rosa Opera Company at His Majesty's Theatre on 24th September 2001. Aberdeen Theatres: The Tivoli Theatre
3366 The Tivoli Theatre on Guild Street opened in 1872 as Her Majesty's Opera House. The first performance was of with the play The Lady of Lyons. At the end of the show, architect Mr Phipps and the superintendent of works were called on stage by the audience to take a bow.
The auditorium was later altered in 1897 by the noted architect Frank Matcham. Her Majesty's closed in 1906 temporarily following the opening of the larger His Majesty's Theatre on Rosemount Viaduct. The interior of the theatre was reconstructed in 1909 and the venue reopened in 1910 as the Tivoli Theatre of Varieties.
The theatre enjoyed immense success until 1966 when it was converted into a bingo hall. The venue finally closed in 1997 and fell into disrepair.
In July 2009 the Tivoli Theatre Company Ltd. was formed and bought the building. Work to restore the historic theatre to its former glory was then started. The Tivoli Theatre reopened on the 25th of October 2013 with the play Inferno by Thomas Bywater.
Today, the Tivoli is a grade-A Listed Building, and remains a jewel of our city.
In addition to the Tivoli Theatre of Varieties, the Criterion Bar can be seen on the far left of this image.
The board in front of the Tivoli indicates that the theatre is hosting Happy Days, a variety show by the George West Company. This dates the photograph to around August or September 1935. Aberdeen Theatres: The Tivoli on Guild Street
3367 A George Washington Wilson photograph showing Guild Street, Aberdeen, with Her Majesty's Theatre, later named the Tivoli on the left of the image. The Waverley Hotel is situated beyond. This images likely dates from the late 19th century. Aberdeen Theatres: Frolics of Paris
3368 A poster for the Tivoli Theatre from 13th May 1929. The advertised show is a comedy revue titled Frolics of Paris.
A number of the performers are listed including Len Jackson, Yearden's Empire Girls, Jennie Russel, Harry Evans and Harry Arthurs.
The poster, made by the John Waddington company of Leeds and London, states that Henry Godwin is the theatre's general manager. Aberdeen Theatres: Giggles & Girls
3369 A poster for the Tivoli's summer show of 1945. The show, produced by Horace H. Collins, was called Giggles & Girls and is described as "a riot of lasses and laughter".
Performers in the revue included Jack Anthony - "Your Favourite Star Comedian", George Clarkson Jnr. - "The Essence of Personality", Joyce Hampton - "The Young Aberdeen Discovery", Hermon & Constance - "Variety's Vocal Stars", Kaye and Diana Haywood - "Youth and Beauty Personified", Royal Victory Belles, Bertha Ricardo - "The Musical Comedy Miss", Bond Rowell - "The One Man Joy Barrage", Hal Swain and the 3 Swing Sisters - "The Popular Broadcasting Musical Stars".
The orchestra was under the direction of Clifford Jordan. Tivoli programme from the 1950s
3370 The front cover of a programme for the Tivoli theatre on Guild Street. This image was used to illustrate a number of Tivoli programmes in the mid 1950s. Aberdeen Theatres: A Nicht Wi' Burns
3371 The poster for an event at the Tivoli Theatre featuring the songs and music of Robert Burns. The show commenced on Monday 22nd January 1962 and had two performances nightly.
The show was devised and produced by William Cummings. There was a large bill of performers; Calum Kennedy, Billy Stutt, Irene Campbell, Robbie Shepherd, The Garlogie Four, Ken Swan & McGhee ("Scotland's Greatest Ventriloquist"), The Heatherisle Trio ("Scotch with a Beat"), Anne Fields, Moxon Heatherbelles, Irene Adair, Tommy Wright and Will Starr. Aberdeen Theatres: The Music Hall and Union Street
3372 The Music Hall opened in 1822 as Aberdeen's Assembly Rooms and was designed by Archibald Simpson; the building was originally intended as a place for the elite to socialise.
In 1858, the Aberdeen Music Hall Company bought the building and a large concert hall was added, reopening as the Aberdeen Music Hall in September 1859. The building was refurbished in the mid 1980's, spending more than £2.5 million, and reopening in 1986.
The Music Hall has been run by Aberdeen Performing Arts since 2004 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009.
The latest renovations took place between 2016 and 2018 and the Music hall has been a vibrant part of Aberdeen since then, welcoming artists and entertainers. Aberdeen Theatres: Man vs. Stallion at the Music Hall
3373 A glass plate image of the Music Hall on Union Street from the late 19th century.
A young crowd is gathered on the street listening to a brass band. A policeman and bicycles of the time can also be seen.
The advertisements on the steps of the building read "Man vs. Stallion". Using historic newspapers we can work out that this was likely an event called Battle Between Man and Stallion, that took place at the Music Hall on 20th August 1895.
Newspaper adverts from the time read: "To-night at 8, complimentary benefit, and positively the last Five Nights in Aberdeen of Professor Norton B. Smith, THE WORLD'S GREATEST HORSE TAMER, who will handle, on this occasion, the MAN-EATING STALLION, belonging to Mr Youngson Kynoch, Royal Stables, Aberdeen." (Aberdeen Journal, 20/08/1895, page 1) Aberdeen Theatres: On stage at the Music Hall
3374 A large choir and orchestra on stage in the Music Hall. Towards the rear of the image can be seen the pipes of the venue's organ. The group and the occasion are unknown. Aberdeen Theatres: Tuberculosis exhibition
3375 Throughout its history the Music Hall in Aberdeen has been used for all manner purposes beyond the performing arts and film screenings.
In March 1912 an exhibition on the infectious disease tuberculosis was held in the Music Hall on Union Street. This striking poster, with the headline "War on consumption", advertised the six-day event and the accompanying series of lectures.
The exhibition was organised by the Town Council of Aberdeen and the National Association for the Prevention of Consumption. The majority of the exhibition was brought to the city by the latter party with local additions from the Aberdeen Public Health Department, the pathological and public health laboratories of the University of Aberdeen and the Aberdeen Mothers' and Babies' Club.
The exhibition arrived in Aberdeen on the 16 March from Dundee where it had been visited by 30,000 people. It had also toured Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Hull.
At the close of the "six day crusade against tuberculosis", Lord Provost Maitland described the exhibition and lecture series as "Magnificent" and local paper The Aberdeen Journal stated that the success of the event, "judged by popularity, is beyond all doubt." In total 39,960 attended over the six days, placing Aberdeen behind only Hull which was open for an extra day.
Approximately 20,000 health pamphlets were disseminated around the city, including 15,000 catalogues freely distributed by the Public Health Committee. A copy of this catalogue, which includes an instructive article from Aberdeen's Medical Officer of Health, Matthew Hay, is kept in the collection of Aberdeen Local Studies. Aberdeen Theatres: Wings for Victory
3376 Another example of the Music Hall's involvement in all manner of activities. It's central location on Union Street has historically made it a vital venue in the civic life of Aberdeen.
In this photograph the Music Hall is decorated for Wings for Victory Week in May 1943. This was a nationwide fundraising campaign for the Royal Air Force.
The image shows crowds on Union Street as soldiers parade past a box of dignitaries located on the Music Hall stairs. Aberdeen Theatres: Thanksgiving Week
3377 A photograph showing the Music Hall decorated for Thanksgiving Week.
This was a week of fundraising held in October 1945, after the end of World War II, under the National Savings Movement. The city's target was £3,000,000 and the final amount raised was £3,690,668.
One highlight of Thanksgiving Week was a Spitfire fighter plane visiting Hazlehead Park. Aberdeen Theatres: Libraries' book sale
3378 This photograph shows the queue for the first ever Public Library book sale held in the Ballroom of the Music Hall on Saturday 24 February 1979, when well over a thousand people swarmed through the doors to grab a bargain. The Press and Journal covered the event with the headline: "Bonanza Day for Bookworms; bargain hunters pack the Music Hall".
Books were divided into three categories: Children's, Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction (including reference books) and prices were kept low at 20p for fiction books and non-fiction titles slightly more at 50p.
Best sellers included children's books purchased by play groups, out of date encyclopaedias and Whittaker's Almanacs, and bound volumes of National Geographic Magazine. By the end of the day, the event was deemed an overwhelming success, selling over 13,000 books and raising more than £3,645 for the purchase of new stock. Aberdeen Theatres: Tickets for the Scottish National Orchestra
3379 A ticket for the performance of the Scottish National Orchestra at Aberdeen's Music Hall on Tuesday 9th January 1979. |