The following is taken from "Northern Music Hall" by Frank Graham & G.J.Mellor.

Horace Edward Moss (later, Sir Edward Moss - knighted in 1906) founded the largest and most successful chain of variety theatres in the world. At its peak it controlled 33 music halls. He died aged 60 in 1912. In 1877 aged 25 his first hall was a tiny place called the Gaiety in Chambers Street, Edinburgh. In 1895 Moss, Thornton and Co turned to Sheffield where another Empire began to be built in Charles Street (previously the site of Walter Coopers Alhambra Music Hall). Larger than the Birmingham Empire, Sheffield Empire would hold 3000 people, built at a cost of £65,000. A prospectus issued in 1895 described it as 'The finest in the Country' built in the popular Moorish style. It opened on 4th November 1895 with a big one-nightly bill. As a result of the Empire's opening, several small halls in the West Bar district went out of business. The Grand taken over by Frank McNaughten opening with the virtually unknown 'two houses a night' system as a counter attraction to the expensive bills staged at the Moss' house. The Empire was demolished in 1959.

My great-grandad played first clarinet at the Empire from about 1895. Does anyone have any relatives who were also musicians at the Empire at this time?

Talking of musicians from the Empire.
I used to take trumpet lessons from the trumpet player there.
I cannot remember his name. He lived up Gleadless.
This would be 1957

Apart from the usual pantomimes ,I remember seeing Laurel and Hardy at the Empire round about 1950 and Lonnie Donegan [twice?] round about 1958.
Laurel and Hardy were a bit of a disappointment as I expected[being 8 years old] they'd be like in their films but they just did a short sketch about 2 tramps trying to get to sleep on a park bench. Mind you, they must have been getting on a bit then . They were doing a tour of Britain and Ireland---I should think their last visit to Europe.

Originally posted by sheffexpat
Apart from the usual pantomimes ,I remember seeing Laurel and Hardy at the Empire round about 1950 and Lonnie Donegan [twice?] round about 1958.
Laurel and Hardy were a bit of a disappointment as I expected[being 8 years old] they'd be like in their films but they just did a short sketch about 2 tramps trying to get to sleep on a park bench. Mind you, they must have been getting on a bit then . They were doing a tour of Britain and Ireland---I should think their last visit to Europe.


I see where you are coming from here as they were losing their sparkle around this time (Stan would have been 60ish).
But just being in the same room as the greatest comedians ever should be enough of a memory you last anyone a lifetime. I wish I could have seen them, still watch DVDs of them regularly.

Pinhead
Yes, I love Laurel and Hardy too, I forgot to mention that I got the autographs of Lonnie Donegan and Laurel and Hardy but over the years they've disappeared.
I suppose one reason I didn't take more care of the L. &H. autographs was that at the time I don't think many people realised how famous and admired they'd become as time went on.
They can be funnier, just looking at each other, than most of what we see today in films and on T.V. [which costs millions].
More later,I hope----got to shoot off

Saw Tommy Steel [Tommy Hicks] at the Empire around 1957
also Bill Haley [Rock around the clock fame] the same year a nude revue complete with discrete tassels well I was 17.:hihi:

My late grandmother's (literally) fifteen minutes of fame was when she "appeared", on stage, in a production, at the empire, back in 1930 when she was 12/or 13.

The entirity of her role was that she had to run, onstage, scream, and then run off! (lol lol)

Her mother put the kybosh on her acting career, by declaring it "Common" that her daughter being on the stage, and refusing her permission to carry on doing the role.

sadly, I could not tell you what the play was, nor the part, and I couldn't give you the dates. that's all the story, as my grandmother told it to me. "Ihad a part in a play, I was 12 or 13, it was at the empire, I had to run on stage, scream, and run off..."

I wish I had been able to get more details from her about it, but sadly, she had alzheimers, and was not always lucid enough to remember the details of her reminiscences.

PT

What a pity 'Plain Talkers 'grandmother could not have been more lucid.
What a memory it would have been.
I took trumpet lessons from the trumpet player in the Empire Orchestra in 1957

I have been told that my great grandfather Frank Cooper was a carpenter at the Empire,
anyone know how to find out about this on the internet?
:help:

Interesting. Looking at the Alhambra Theatre - in the course of family tree research, I've discovered that my great, great grandfather used to own the Alhambra. From his obituary in 1923:

George and his father William took ownership of the Alhambra Theatre in 1875. There was a fire at the threate in 1882, and the theatre closed for a year.

George had five children, Ada, Arthur, Albert, Lewis and William. His wife was Eliza, and he had a sister, Mary Anne), who appears to be famous for having invented a new musical notation.

Do you remember Skiffle groups which were all the rage in the Mid 50's. A skiffle competition was held at the Empire theatre in which our group the VESPAS competed .It was hosted by Jim Dale (folk singer).The amplification I used for my guitar was made from a valve cinema power pack which caught fire on stage .Oh such halcion days.

I remember seeing Max Wall, the crazy gang, David Whitfield, Jewel & Warris and Kathy Kirby, they had em all there. nobody has acts like these anymore.

Does anybody remember Tony Bennet playing the Empire on the strength of his 'Rags to Riches' hit. I'm beginning to think I've dreamed it.

My grandmother was an usherette at the Empire in the 50's. I remember her telling me how nervous
Tommy Steele was before going on stage. She used to take him a cup of tea before he went on. She also mentioned Nat Jackley and Anne Shelton.

i have laurel and hardy autographs from that visit to the empire if any one is interested in buying ! plus lots more of the stars of that day appearing there:)

My mother was born in the flats on Pinstone Street in 1898.

She often talked about going to the music halls and theatres including the first movies made by Green shown in a cellar on Howard St.

She also told about the many musicians and artistes that lodged or lived in the surrounding flats at the rear of Pinstone Street.

The two most famous were Donald and Dorothy Pleasance.

As I grew up she delighted in taking me as a child to all the theatres including the Empire and I loved them all.

What wonderful memories, particularly the Pantos where we would sit in the 'Gods' and boo and hiss with the best of them.

Happy Days

Hi
my dad worked at the empire say around the 1950s onwards untill it closed down and i have many autographs that are mentioned in the the notes to you he is still living and he will be 83yrs old next he has lovely memories of working there and i remember going many times

:hihi: [QUOTE=mazda5]Hi
my dad worked at the empire say around the 1950s onwards untill it closed down and i have many autographs that are mentioned in the the notes to you he is still living and he will be 83yrs old next he has lovely memories of working there and i remember going many times
::

I have a programme from the Empire fron 1916, includes a wonderful advert for Haslet!!

Old Mother Riley and his wife played a couple of times they were in digs next door to us on Priory Terrace,he was a bit of a misery according to the landlady. They had the Christmas Pantomimes there too and the Bloke who played Buttons was lodging next door and he gave us all tickets, darn int stalls anall tha nose.,reight posh wi were.

I remember going to the Empire to see its last ever pantomime. This would be 1958/9 panto. It was Babes in the Wood and starred Edna Savage and Laurie London - both big names at that time. I was enthralled by Kirby's Flying Ballet. Dressed as butterflies, the flyers would "fly" from the stage and end up standing on the front of the "Gods". What precision that must have taken. What nerve!!! As a fourteen year old, I was completely gobsmacked by it all. Happy Days.

A slight deviation from the Empire to the Palace, Attercliffe. We were working on a roof on the street directly opposite the Palace and had a good view of the yards (and windows) in the surrounding area. Turns out that one of the houses did theatrical 'digs', and had a lot of chorus girls in residence. That week Phylis Dixie was on and her girls were on view from the roof.
I've got to say we had terrific views.

Bye the way PopT, that wouldn't be the late Donald Pleasance, actor, would it?

I remember going to the last ever show at The Empire.

I was only a kid and I went with my gran.

I recall it was a variety show of some sort and it was heavily

sponsored by some local firm (Bachelors springs to mind- but could be wrong)

Anyone else remember this show ?


Chris

Who was the short fat man who looked like the manager and was to be seen in
and around the Empire foyer? circa 50s.
I recall queing outside on Saturday night and then going into cages upstairs
prior to getting in to the gallery which was incredibly steep.
I saw Shirley Bassey, Vic Oliver, and Frankie Howard there.

Who was the short fat man who looked like the manager and was to be seen in
and around the Empire foyer? circa 50s.
I recall queing outside on Saturday night and then going into cages upstairs
prior to getting in to the gallery which was incredibly steep.
I saw Shirley Bassey, Vic Oliver, and Frankie Howard there.

John Spitzer was the manager and he lived at The Grand Hotel - nice man.

Hello Chairboy, Many thanks for that memory jog, I seem to remember he had a
good obituary in the paper. I can picture him easily and he came across as amiable.
Keep Smilin!

Hello Chairboy, Many thanks for that memory jog, I seem to remember he had a
good obituary in the paper. I can picture him easily and he came across as amiable.
Keep Smilin!

"The manager of the Sheffield Empire Theatre during the fifties was Johnny Spitzer an enormous man. He lived at the Grand Hotel where he had a special deal. He used to have numerous large meals sent over from the hotel during the day and would sit in his office in front of the television set on his desk that was switched on all the time and eat them. The staff wondered what would happen if ever Val Parnell the managing director walked in. He did one day and the assistant manager went into the office to find both Val and Johnny sitting in front of the television and both eating enormous meals." - Sheffield Memories.

http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/SheffieldTheatres.htm - scroll down for The Empire.

As I remember Johnny Spitzer he was always suroundered by beautiful girls. Used to catch glimpses of him in a box at the Empire and used to wonder why, as he was a big man with no obvious charms.
There was a lot of gossop about him by the girls I worked with, and it now seems he was such a nice man.

hazel

Who was the short fat man who looked like the manager and was to be seen in
and around the Empire foyer? circa 50s.
I recall queing outside on Saturday night and then going into cages upstairs
prior to getting in to the gallery which was incredibly steep.
I saw Shirley Bassey, Vic Oliver, and Frankie Howard there.

What you remember as 'cages' in The Empire, were actually wire meshes at the front of the Balcony (Gods). Put there to stop anyone falling over into the stalls area. The Lyceum has similair protection in its 'Gods' - in the form of handrails. The Sheffield Moss Empire was a terrific theatre - today its intended demolition would have caused protest groups etc. Too much of Sheffield history has gone under the bulldozer.

This thread has inspired me to have another look around Sheffield Library Picture archives.:)

Clicky....The Empire was IMO one of the most beaut looking buildings (http://www.picturesheffield.com/cgi-bin/picturesheffield.pl?_cgifunction=form&_layout=picturesheffield&keyval=sheff.refno=s01636) that has been flattened in Sheffield. :(

Interestingly in this picture, it looks like even after bomb damage, people must have done their best to save it.

Nigel Womersle, Thanks for interest shown in my message.What I reffered to as "cages"
was a series of hand rails which zig-zag the queue in a small room
near the top of the many flights of stairs. Usually, we were held there
for five to ten minutes before being allowed to proceed into the "Gods."
or Gallery. I would estimate that the small room with hand rails had a
maximum capacity of thirty people, which on Saturday night was only
the start of the queue. At the time, most people called the small room
"The Cages" no doubt because the people in it were held there, as in
a cage.

I only ever went to a couple of (superb) pantos at the Empire, but I remember once walking down Charles Street with my father, and he said "Look!". I looked - and a man eased his ample frame out of a car and walked past us into the Empire. It was the Jewish singer/comedian Issy Bonn (of "My Yiddishe Momma" fame). Unfortunately I didn't have my autograph book handy! I never met Johnny Spitzer but my parents knew him. I seemed to recall that he died young, and so I just looked him up on findmypast.com - he was 45 when he died in 1971.

The Empire Theatre had a very lucky escape during the blitz. Buildings either side of it were bombed,one,a large furniture shop,was completely burned out. Thankfully,the theatre survived the war,only to fall under the bulldozer some years later. Pity.

Nigel Womersle, Thanks for interest shown in my message.What I reffered to as "cages"
was a series of hand rails which zig-zag the queue in a small room
near the top of the many flights of stairs. Usually, we were held there
for five to ten minutes before being allowed to proceed into the "Gods."
or Gallery. I would estimate that the small room with hand rails had a
maximum capacity of thirty people, which on Saturday night was only
the start of the queue. At the time, most people called the small room
"The Cages" no doubt because the people in it were held there, as in
a cage.

Apologies Ronart.

The Empire Theatre had a very lucky escape during the blitz. Buildings either side of it were bombed,one,a large furniture shop,was completely burned out. Thankfully,the theatre survived the war,only to fall under the bulldozer some years later. Pity.

Henry Hall and his Orchestra were appearing at The Empire the Thursday night of the blitz. I think just one of its front towers was destroyed, and a room near 'the Gods' too. Word got round that Henry Hall had been killed in the raid. This caused him after that to always say 'This is Henry Hall speaking'. The Empire finally closed its doors in 1959. It was a lovely theatre.

The picturesheffield.com website has a photo of the Empire theatre with the right-hand turret missing after the blitz - see photo No s01636

The picturesheffield.com website has a photo of the Empire theatre with the right-hand turret missing after the blitz - see photo No s01636
See post #31 ;)

See post #31 ;)

Ooops! :blush: I hadn't actually followed the link; I just looked into my own notes on photos from the library on-line archive, to respond to the previous post about bomb damage. The Sheffield Library doesn't allow their photos to be used on any other websites, though I suppose a link is OK - I just cautiously quoted the photo number. I was surprised to see in the photo that the name of the theatre was actually the "Empire Palace" but I never knew it be called anything but the "Empire". The original post mentioned several small theatres in the West Bar area that closed because they couldn't compete with the Empire. I seem to remember that one of these, in Gibraltar Street, burned down in the 1980s - the site is now occupied by a used car dealership. In a sense, this harked back to the Theatre Royal, which burned down in 1935.

I remember waiting outside the Empire for Tommy Steeles autograph.
Unfortunately I couldn't afford to go in and see him but I got the autograph.
Don't know what happened to it.

I remember seeing Chic Murray, the brilliant Scottish comedian, at the old Empire in the 1950s; also G.H. Elliott, who was billed as "the chocolate coloured coon" (he couldn't do that today!). Also saw Jimmy Young (long before he became a radio star), and Jimmy Sacca and the Hilltoppers. When Sacca ("Only You" was his big hit) was there, a Sheffield United winger called Colin Grainger went on stage and sang a couple of songs, one an imitation of Al Jolson. When Leslie Welch, a famous "Memory Man" of the 1950s, appeared at the Empire, from the circle I asked him a question which he didn't answer correctly, but he was so full of chat that he flipped over the fact and quickly passed on to something else without giving me chance to take him to task!
References to Johnny Spitzer, yes he was a lovely chap. I remember him at the Grand Hotel some years after the Empire had closed. I don't know that anyone could ever work out whether Johnny had any family, and I never saw what you might call a "proper" biog of him when he died. Does anyone know exactly when he took over as manager of the Empire, for I believe that at that time he was the youngest manager in the theatre's history. He was certainly one of the great characters of Sheffield in his era, but he never talked much about himself, and he deserves to be remembered.

No one has mentioned the queue entertainers playing the spoons,violins, bones singing and even being preached to. You could also buy a copy of Billy's weekly Liar as well as Old Moores Almanac.

Anybody remember a artiste by the name of Sid Walker? He did an act about a rag and bone man. He used a song with the line 'Day after day, I'm on my way, crying Rags, bottles or bones,..........' Did he ever play the Empire?

I remember this character from a radio programme that used to be on on Monday evenings (pre TV). He had his own spot where he would tell a little story,and dole out his own brand of philosophy,and leave, singing the little ditty shown by Texas. Late 40's I think,just after the war. Don't know if he ever appeared at the Empire,but would think he probably did.

BLITZER, When I think about it logically I must be thinking about the radio. I don't remember a horse and cart act on the Empire. But when he was winding up his act, did he always say something like 'What would you do, chums?' Or was that somebody else?

That's right Tex,after his little philosophical story,he would end up saying "What would you do chums"?and then go into his song"Day after day" etc. I am not certain,but I think the show was called "Monday night at eight"

"The manager of the Sheffield Empire Theatre during the fifties was Johnny Spitzer an enormous man. He lived at the Grand Hotel where he had a special deal. He used to have numerous large meals sent over from the hotel during the day and would sit in his office in front of the television set on his desk that was switched on all the time and eat them. The staff wondered what would happen if ever Val Parnell the managing director walked in. He did one day and the assistant manager went into the office to find both Val and Johnny sitting in front of the television and both eating enormous meals." - Sheffield Memories.

http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/SheffieldTheatres.htm - scroll down for The Empire.

In the link about the Empire,it states that some members of Henry Hall's orchestra were killed and injured. Well,that's news to me. I was in the audience that night of the blitz,and Henry Hall's orchestra were in the middle of their performance,playing a popular song of the time"Six lessons from Madam Lazonga",when we had to evacuate the theatre. I don't recall hearing of any casualties amongst any of the artists that night. Hall's vocalist,Betty ? (she played Betty Turpin in Coronation St for many years) would know) As you would imagine,that night remains a vivid memory,even after all those years.

In the link about the Empire,it states that some members of Henry Hall's orchestra were killed and injured. Well,that's news to me. I was in the audience that night of the blitz,and Henry Hall's orchestra were in the middle of their performance,playing a popular song of the time"Six lessons from Madam Lazonga",when we had to evacuate the theatre. I don't recall hearing of any casualties amongst any of the artists that night. Hall's vocalist,Betty ? (she played Betty Turpin in Coronation St for many years) would know) As you would imagine,that night remains a vivid memory,even after all those years.

'Betty Driver' I believe her name is and still going strong. I seem to remember her in a Radio programme, 'Monday night at 8'oclock' was the name of the show and the song that intoduced it.

I thought of her name 10 minutes after posting,is'nt that typical!

I thought of her name 10 minutes after posting,is'nt that typical!

ahh BLITZER.//Thats so nice .good look luv xxxxxx

saw.. tommy steel at empire. i was in the gods..lol..he look so small .but like i say i was in the gods ..magic ..x

BLITZER. I've just remembered another line. 'As I was sitting 'round my old firebucket.' I think that was the introductory line in the radio feature by the same guy who wound up with 'What would you do chums?' Now if that's the case it can't be Sid Walker, unless he did the 'Rags, bottles, and bones' thing also. The 'firebucket' related to the fact that he was a nightwatchman.
It's got to be on radio, a firebucket on stage would be a fire hazard.

You've got me there Texas,can't remember the 'Firebucket' bloke. However,the mention of the nightwatchman's brazier brought back memories of standing by one in the Winter for a welcome warm whilst out and about. Something you never come across nowadays.

I have one of the original ticket envelopes with the seating plan of the Empire Theatre.

If anyone wants a copy I'll Email them a copy, just send me a PM with an Email address.

Happy Days PopT

I see where you are coming from here as they were losing their sparkle around this time (Stan would have been 60ish).
But just being in the same room as the greatest comedians ever should be enough of a memory you last anyone a lifetime. I wish I could have seen them, still watch DVDs of them regularly.


Yes mate of mine is sat next to me, he also saw laurel and hardy there (1953 ish) He says that he saw a pantomime Babes in the wood (with lorrie london ) a pop star of that era) He also went to see David whitfield, joseph locke and missed out on ken dodd because he was ill.

Yes mate of mine is sat next to me, he also saw laurel and hardy there (1953 ish) He says that he saw a pantomime Babes in the wood (with lorrie london ) a pop star of that era) He also went to see David whitfield, joseph locke and missed out on ken dodd because he was ill.

I remember seeing David Whitfield there, but my overriding memory of him was how his teeth reflected back the spotlight as he spoke or sang. Even up to the gods where I was sitting. It was like he had a mouth full of mirrors.
I have seen many artistes on stage over the years, but none whose teeth reflected back the spotlight like his did.

Yes mate of mine is sat next to me, he also saw laurel and hardy there (1953 ish) He says that he saw a pantomime Babes in the wood (with lorrie london ) a pop star of that era) He also went to see David whitfield, joseph locke and missed out on ken dodd because he was ill.

I am the mate that peppermint mentions above and I've had time to remember another time I went to the EMPIRE. It was the week that I left school ( Easter 1958 ) That week there was a strip show on and as a treat to ourselves myself and a few of the lads went to the Wednesday night show, It was a sort of girls in flimsy next to nothings, We enjoyed the show so much we made our minds up to go again on the Saturday, This time I took my binoculars with me as we were in the gods.
The trouble with that was one of the friends who wasn't sat with us borrowed the binoculars and I never got to see things close up.

Redfyre, re your post mentioning Chic Murray. I can't remember where I heard it, but it was a story about him when he was in some theatrical digs somewhere, could've been Sheffield.
Anyhow he went down to breakfast one morning and he was given a choice between a spoonful of porrige and toast and honey, the landlady being notorious for her frugality. He decided he would try the toast and honey. It was duly served, one slice of toast and a tiny pot of honey. He contemplated the honey for a second or two and said 'I see you keep a bee.'

Hi ChrisM
I too went to the last show at the Empire. It was a bit ironic really as the old theatre went out with a show sponsored by....I think it was Smedleys Frozen Foods......a sure sign of things to come. My girlfriend at the time worked in a grocers shop and had been given two free tickets.
A sad, sad loss of a great theatre.
Brian