Le Vitagraph de George Chard (Argyle Theatre, 9->25 novembre 1896)

Le Vitagraph de George Chard présente des vues animées à la mi-novembre dans l'Argyle Theatre :

ARGYLE THEATRE OF VARIETIES, BIRKENHEAD
The chief attraction at Mr. Denis Clarke's popular house is Messrs. Chard and Company's vitagraph, or animated photographs, and a splendid success it has proved. Las night the place was packed with an appreciative audience, to whom were presented a most interesting series of pictures. Several of the scenes comprised over 1,300 photographs, which, put upon the screen through an electric lantern, presents one continuous picture. The subjects shown included cycling in Hyde Park, Brighton on Bank Holiday, children paddling on the beach, a steam launch arriving at Portsmouth Harbour, and a very amusing scene of "A Runaway Knock." The whole series of pictures were capitally shown, and were well applauded by the audience. Another interesting turn was that of Madlle Lala, who rides a cycle illuminated with coloured electric lights. Sarina, an extraordinary contortionist, shows some wonderful acrobatic work: and Mr. Tom Lloyd eccentric comedian, met with considerable success; and among the other artistes are Mr. Pat Raffety, Mr. Dan Crawley, Miss Lillian Bishop, and others, a capital programme being submitted.

---

Liverpool Echo, Liverpool, mardi 10 novembre 1896, p. 4.

Les séances se poursuivent dans les jours qui suivent :

ARGYLE THEATRE OF VARIETIES,
BIRKENHEAD.
Manager..............Mr. D. J. CLARKE.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16TH, 1896, and during the week.
THE TALK OF THE TOWN.
ENORMOUS SUCCESS AND LAST SIX NIGHTS OF THE PHOTO-ELEUTRIC SENSATION OF THE AGE, THE
VITAGRAPH.
LIVING PICTURES ! ANIMATED PHOTOGRAPHS !
During the week the following NEW PICTURES will be shown: The Czar in Paris, Gatwick Paddock. Naval Gun Drill. Teasing the Gardener in Birkenhead Park, the Policeman and Cook, Bonfire Scene, Railway Train Arriving at Woodside Station, March Past of Artiltery at Aldershot, and the favourite Pictures of last week.
READ THE PRESS OPINIONS:
The Liverpool Express says:-"The subjects selected for the pictures are very attractive and admirably adapted for proving the wonderful facility with which pleasing and familiar scenes, be effectively reproduced by the aid et the invention, several of the pictures are immensely amusing, and the exhibition was enthusiastically applauded by a crowded audience."
The Birkenhead News says- "It has not Infrequently been our task to give expression to feelings of pleasure at the high-class, refined, and exceptionally entertaining programmes presented by Mr. D. Clarke to the numerous patrons of the Argyle Theatre, but, perhaps, never in the annals of that favourite place of amusement has there ever been provided a more bright, attractive, and entertaining programme. One item on the bill is proving on immense attraction, and deservedly so. This in the Vitagraph, aptly described as the photo-electric sensation of the age. Those who have not yet had the privilege of seeing animated photographs will be thrusting away an opportunity of looking upon this enjoyable scientific perfection if they fail to visit the Argyle this week. The scenes depicted, the exactitude with which they are carried through, and the clearness of the views are such as to call for unstinted praise, and it may be mentioned that in order to render the exhibition still more successful, an installation of electric light has been put into the building, with the result anticipated."
The Birkenhead Advertiser says:-"The unusual attractions held out to his patrons by Mr. Manager Clarke drew to this cosy hall en Monday and last evenings audiences that filled the building from floor to roof. The latest London attraction produced this week is the Vitagraph, a wonderful machine, which exhibits moving and animated scenes from life, and depicts with extreme accuracy every day events as seen in our country and town life. To enable the pictures to be shown with greater effect, the management have specially installed the electric light, and without seeing the Vitagraph it is difficult to imagine the realism with which a storm at sea, boys fighting for pennies under the pier, children paddling on the beach, donkey riding, Brighton on Bank Holiday, are depicted.

---

Birkenhead News, Birkenhead, mercredi 18 novembre 1896, p. 1.

Le Birkenhead News fournit quelques informations complémentaires :

ARGYLE THEATRE OF VARIETIES.
Mr. Manager Clarke has provided some wonderfully great entertainments during the time he has had control of the Argyle, but perhaps never before has he hit the public taste so well as when he engaged Messrs. Chard and Co's. great novelty, the Vitagraph. Every evening last week the house warn packed, and so far as numbers are concerned a record was created, which threatens to be broken this week. Long before the time for opening on Monday evening Argyle-street was blocked with a struggling mass of humanity anxious to gain admission, and the scene was repeated last evening. This week the scenes depicted are the Czar in Paris, the Paddock at Gatwick, Naval Gun Drill, Teasing the Gardener at Birkenhead Park, Policeman and Cook, Arrival of a train at Woodside Station, March Past of Artillery at Aldershot, together with the favorite pictures shown last week. Besides the Vitagraph there is a company engaged which in point of excellence would be hard to beat. First may be mentioned Mr. G. W. Hunter, acknowledged to be one of the most quaint and amusing comedians in the variety profession. Then, there is Mr. Alec Hurley, who is now quite at the top as a singer of coster songs, his popular song "I ain't a goin' to tell," having created quite a furore in London. Another big feature is the engagement of Miss Nellie Christie, perhaps the best female Ethiopian delineator the world has ever seen. These together with Clarence and Bell, the well-known eccentric comedians and dancers; the popular Nelly Oldene ; Lee Frers Napier, gymnastic comedians; Louie Hurmann, tyrolean vocalist, &c.; and Miss Ivy Lorene, serio and descriptive vocalist, form a company that must convince the most sceptical that the beet place to see a really high class variety entertainment is not at Liverpool, but at the Argyle Theatre of Varieties, Birkenhead.

---

Birkenhead News, Birkenhead, mercredi 18 novembre 1896, p. 2.

 La semaine suivante de nouvelles vues sont présentées :

ARGYLE THEATRE OF VARIETIES.
It was extremely gratifying to notice from the announcements that the so-called London craze, the Vitagraph, had been retained at the Argyle Theatre for yet another week. If densely packed houses and enthusiastically demonstrative applause may be accepted as an indication of the appreciation felt, then the Vitagraph ought to proceed on its assured tour with the added recommendation of the craze of Birkenhead. The exquisitely delineated pictures through the machine this week include th e execution of Mary Queen of Scots, Brighton Front, bicycling in Hyde Park, New Brighton on bank holiday, boat pushing off from shore, boys scrambling for penies under New Brighton Pier, children paddling on the beach, donkey riding, a rough sea at Egremont, steam launch arriving at Portsmouth Harbour, Trafalgar Square, naval drill, preparing to receive cavalry, a runaway knock, the Czar in Paris, the paddock at Gatwick, a cockfight, Pierrott and Pierette, arrival of a train at Park station, and a march past of artillery at Aldershot, The company engaged this week is one eminently fitted to maintain the high reputation the Theatre ha gained, and the constant demands for encores attests to the abilities of the artistes. Bella and Bijou, always a favourite turn here, meet with a very hearty reception, and their new contributions are as warmly greeted as those which on former evoked such marked approval. Mr. Charles Deane, the original "All in a Row," and "Strolling round the Town," scores heavily; whilst Miss Lizzie Valrose is as successful as ever in her varied and pleasing numbers. The remainder of the programme is comprised of the Four Serenaders, musical speciality artistes; the Sisters Andrews, duettists, vocalists and dancers; the Fothergills, in a new comic sketch, entitled, " Jealousy " ; Little Maude (the Infant Patey), child vocalist and mimic; Mr. Edward Ind, the popular character comedian; and Clemolo's monkeys, in a novel performance—acrobating, boxing, &o. On Saturday afternoon next, a special morning performance will be given.

---

Birkenhead News, Birkenhead, mercredi 25 novembre 1896, p. 2.

Le Vitagraph de George Chard (Argyle Theatre of Varieties, 28-31 décembre 1896) → 1897

Le vitagraph de George Chard propose quelques séances en fin décembre.

Birkenhead News, Birkenhead, samedi 26 décembre 1896, p. 1.

Les séances se prolongent jusqu'à la fin de l'année.

→ 1897