Coventry Hippodrome / Apollo / Theatre

Hello Anne, You've 're-kindled so many memories for me. Christmas pantomime, the manufacturing companies treat for children's visit to the cinema, often the Empire for me. Oh, & Mr Pastry! Thank you.

My grandad worked for the council so I got to go to the Pantos at the Coventry Theatre. We also got a sort of selection box of chocs when we were leaving the show. There were other works/factories parties and days out to parks to look forward to.

Oh yes it's very much appreciated Rob. Because of your dataset I've been able to cross reference my Gran's Autograph book (my Great Nan worked at the Theatre) and work out who they were and what show they were at. I've scanned some that I've cross- referenced. You're welcome to use these for your archive if you wanted There are more but haven't cross referenced them yet. Peter Brough. Oct 1946. Grand All-Star Variety. Zip Goes a Million. Sep 1951. (Pre- London Tryout). Tessie O'Shea. 1948 Birthday Week Variety. Richard Murdoch. 1939 BBC BandWaggon. Ethel Revnell. 1951 Variety Show. Cecilia Colledge. 1948 Tom Arnold's Ice Review. G.H Elliott (show and date unknown due to various performances over the years). Joan Matheson. 1946, 'Pick-up Girl' Show. Five Smith Brothers. Nov 1949. Variety Show. Jessie Matthews. 1945 Birthday Celebration- Victory Frolics.

Harold Berens. 1950, Ignorance is Bliss & Twenty Questions.

Perhaps we should start a new topic for this. My heartthrob at the time I think 1963.

My friend and I went to see him at the Hippodrome about 1963 and then went to the stage door and queued to get an autograph. I spoke to him and asked him to sign it to Annette (my Sunday name that no one but my Nan ever called me and that was only after my brother met and married an Annette, my Nan did like to confuse things). I have treasured that ever since even though he could not spell my name ! We were so lucky to have the Hippodrome so close at that time, and went to see many of the singers and groups, including the Beatles. I kept the programmes but at some point they have got lost. The only other autograph I have is Barry Alldis. We lived in Luxembourg for a couple of years and the Radio Luxembourg DJs did a local radio show. They used to do phone in competitions which is quite interesting considering it was in a foreign country. I rang in a couple of times and I won a bottle of champagne and an LP from Barry who put a signed card in with it.

Hi Rob, Was in the Herbert today and saw a 1972 poster for Cov Theatre on display, thought you might want to add it to the show archive? 1972 is a year with no archive images on the database. Sun 20th Aug 1972 "Indian Concert" Starring Mohammed Rafi.

Once again, thank you so much, it's another super contribution towards enhancing the Theatre Archive.

Hi Rob, Got a newspaper and a programme and thought I'd upload them for your show archive. Mon 17th Nov until Sat 22nd Nov 1947 "Chu Chin Chow" By the Coventry Amateur Operatic Society (also advertising Turn On The Rainbow, Charley's Aunt & Mother Goose). _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- 1972 Birthday Show Starring Danny La Rue in a Super Spectacular. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Dec 1972 until Sat 3rd Mar 1973 Aladdin Pantomime, starring Mike & Bernie Winters, with Ivor Emmanuel, Wyn Calvin, Yvonne Marsh and The Ashtons. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Fri 1st Dec until Sat 9th Dec 1972 Fiddler on The Roof By The Coventry Amateur Operatic Society. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Sun 12th Nov 1972 Up Country Featuring George Hamilton IV and the Stoneman Family. One night only. _-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_- Sun 22nd Oct 1972 Charlie Williams With Steven Smith & Father. One night only. I noticed it said Steven Smith and 'R'ather instead of 'F'ather on the archive, guess it's cause F and R are so close on the Keyboard. Hopefully will keep looking for programmes and can fill in some gaps. Thanks for all your work you do on this site Rob

Hello, Fri 1st Dec until Sat 9th Dec 1972 Fiddler on The Roof By The Coventry Amateur Operatic Society. The theatre was packed for that throughout the week. Coach parties from Birmingham Hippodrome, where Harry Secombe was starring, came on the Friday, along with Richard Hearne (Mr. Pastry), in spite of bad weather. Both of those stars joined in, such was the reputation of the amateur production company. The orchestra could barely concentrate being in such hysterical laughter, leave alone the cast & audience. That's something that's missing in society now. Laughter & happiness. Thank you for posting such a fabulous memory for me.

Thank you so much once again, Garland's. If I find time later today I'll add these to the archive, too - much appreciated. Edit: Now sorted.