[ The Argyle Theatre, Birkenhead, Victorian music hall. ] Typed Letter Signed ('Tom') from licensee and manager T. D. Clarke to theatre historian W. Macqueen-Pope, discussing productions for children.

The Clarke family ran the Argyle for fifty years from 1890 to 1940, during which period it was one of the best-known provincial theatres. It opened as the Argyle Music Hall in 1868, and between 1876 and 1890 was named the Prince Of Wales Theatre, being used mainly to stage plays. In 1890 the focus returned to music hall and variety and it was renamed the Argyle Theatre. Its archives are in the University of Sheffield. 2pp., 12mo. In fair condition, on lightly-aged paper, somehwhat grubby and creased at foot of leaf. He begins by thanking him for an article in 'Reynolds', which 'will no doubt prove useful publicity when we come to stir up these War Damage bureaucrats to settle our claim'. (The theatre had been badly damaged by bombing in 1940, and would never reopen, being demolished in 1973.) He next turns to 'Children's Playtime', which has 'broken all attendance records in the Parks since the school holidays commenced.' He explains his 'theory that if you can attract the kids you automatically attract the adults'. 'I wish we could get a definite spot to try this out for next Christmas on big lines. I am more than ever convinced there is a fortune in it.' He ends with reference to 'Freeman' and 'Children's Hour' on the BBC.