Bradford Civic Society presents blue plaque tribute to Alhambra

It was spring 1914, the height of the variety age, when Francis Laidler opened his Alhambra theatre. It went on to be one of the UK’s most beloved regional theatres, attracting huge names in entertainment and some of the world’s biggest touring shows.

Now the Alhambra has a blue plaque, commemorating it as one of the ‘Great Buildings of Bradford’.

The plaque, sponsored by Bradford BID, has been gifted to the theatre by Bradford Civic Society, as part of its series of blue plaques marking key people and places in the city.

Alhambra panto king Billy Pearce was presented with the blue plaque by Bradford Civic Society chair Cllr Si Cunningham, who said: “Bradfordians old and young alike have a special place for the Alhambra Theatre in their hearts – it has been delighting the city for well over 100 years now.

Billy Pearce with the blue plaque (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

“Who better to formally receive the plaque than another honorary Bradford legend, Billy Pearce, ahead of what promises to be another spectacular panto run.”

Other cultural landmarks to receive Civic Society blue plaques include St George’s Hall, the Wool Exchange and Bradford’s City Hall.

Billy and Cllr Cunningham with the Francis Laidler memorial in the Alhambra (Image: Mike Simmonds, Newsquest)

The Alhambra plaque, which will be displayed on the outside of the building, pays tribute to Francis Laidler, ‘King of Pantomime’ and founder of the theatre. Laidler moved to Bradford from the North-East to take up a post as a wool trader’s clerk. He later worked for Hammonds Brewery, where he met Walter J Piper, who was leasing the Prince’s Theatre in Bradford. When Piper died, Laidler left Hammonds to take on the theatre. He started bringing in London touring productions and decided the city needed a major venue to attract big names. The Alhambra Theatre was that venue. It opened on March 18, 1914 with a variety show and revue, and held twice-nightly shows.

A century later, the Alhambra paid tribute to its heritage when it celebrated its centenary in 2014 with a special one-off show – A Night Of Variety: Celebrating 100 Years Of The Alhambra – with a glittering line-up headlined by Michael Ball.

When it first opened, the 1,800-seat Alhambra offered Bradford theatre-goers a touch of luxury. Tip-up seating in the pit stalls was upholstered as comfortably as seats in the orchestra stalls and dress circle. Visiting performers enjoyed hot and cold running water, and gas and electric light in the dressing-rooms.

Shortly after the First World War, renowned variety producers Moss Empires Ltd approached Laidler and they became the Alhambra’s booking agent for more than 40 years, drawing the country’s biggest variety performers to the theatre. It thrived throughout the 1920s, with stars such as George Formby treading the boards. In the 1950s and 60s Laurel and Hardy, Morecambe and Wise, Peter Sellers, Frankie Howerd and Anna Pavlova, performing the Dying Swan, were among the acts appearing on the Alhambra stage. Bradford Council took ownership of the theatre in the 1960s.

The Alhambra in 1974 (Image: Newsquest)

In 1983 the Alhambra hit the big screen when it was the setting for the film The Dresser, starring Albert Finney and Tom Courtenay. Three years later came a major refurbishment, and Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound Of Music and The Muppet Show were among the large-scale shows on the new-look stage. Alhambra audiences were the first in the country to see a new stage version of hit sitcom ’Allo, ’Allo before it went to the West End.

The Alhambra prospered in the 1980s, with the biggest panto stars of the day, including Cannon and Ball, Les Dawson, the Krankies and Russ Abbot. Pantomime had always been at the heart of the Alhambra. Francis Laidler delivered annual pantos in his Bradford venues, and his theatres in Leeds, Keighley and London. In 1917 he established his junior dance troupe, the Sunbeams, for a production of Robin Hood at the Prince’s Theatre in Little Horton. The youngsters – Laidler’s ‘ray of sunshine in the darkness of the war years’ – charmed audiences.

Francis Laidler with his Sunbeams (Image: Newsquest)

It wasn’t until 1930 that the Sunbeams came to the Alhambra, when Laidler switched his pantos to the venue. The girls were recruited locally at open auditions and those lucky enough to be chosen by Laidler had their hair cut in matching bobs. As well as performing song and dance routines, the Sunbeams joined the comic capers on stage. They continue to light up Alhambra pantos.

Laidler’s last Alhambra panto was Red Riding Hood. It opened on December 27, 1954 and a few days later, on January 6, 1955, the visionary impresario died, just one day before his 88th birthday. His widow, Gwladys Stanley Laidler, announced that the show must go on in his memory. Panto has continued ever since at the Alhambra. Jack And The Beanstalk, starring Ken Dodd, was its longest-running panto, spanning from December 1958 to March 1959. “We were throwing Easter eggs out at the audience,” recalled Doddy in a T&A interview.

Since opening in 1914, the Alhambra has staged some of the world’s biggest shows, including The Lion King, War Horse, Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera and One Man, Two Guvnors. Next year, West End hit Wicked returns to the theatre for a five-week run.

l Jack and the Beanstalk opens at the Alhambra on Saturday.