News / Bristol Archives
11 historic photographs of Bristol’s theatres
Every week we delve into the depths of Bristol Archives‘ vast postcard archive to bring you some snapshots of what life used to be like in our city. This week we’re taking you out on the town to some of Bristol’s glitziest and most glamorous theatres, cinemas and concert halls.
The interior of Bristol Hippodrome, 1920. 43207/38/1/2/2
Magnet Cinema on Newfoundland Street, St Paul’s, 1910. Its blue painted front is a familiar sight to anyone driving out of Bristol along the M32. 43207/38/2/1/1
Interior of The Empire Theatre in Old Market, where Cary Grant had his first showbiz job, 1907. “Of course you cannot see me here, as they have just played the king,” reads the handwritten note. 43207/38/1/4/1
A man poses outside the Theatre Royal, now Bristol Old Vic, on King Street in this colourised postcard from 1905. 43207/38/1/3/2
An ensemble called Merry Moments Co. pose outside the Hippodrome, 1915. 43207/38/1/2/7
Interior of the Colston Hall, 1905. 43207/38/3/1/7
The cast of Aladdin, at Prince’s Theatre in 1909. The venue on Park Row was particularly well known for its pantomimes, and a crush for tickets to one in 1869 caused 14 deaths 43207/38/1/1/9
Staple Hill Picture House pictured in 1927. It closed in 1963 and is now the Sanctuary Church. 43207/38/2/1/2
The Coliseum on Park Row, pictured in 1912, was a dance hall, cinema and roller skating rink. 43207/38/2/1/4
Famous circus show Mabelle’s Elephants perform in Stokes Croft, early 1900’s. 43207/38/4/1/1
Interior of Weston Super Mare Pier Pavilion, 1905. 43207/38/1/5/1
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