Did you know that the world's oldest surviving music hall is located right here in Glasgow?
Situated in the Trongate, the Britannia Panopticon, or Britannia Music Hall (as it was previously known), was constructed in 1857 by city builder Archibald Blair. The building was designed by architects Thomas Gildard and Robert H. M. MacFarlane to look grand and classical with features such as cherubs and an Italianate-style facade.
Famous for being one of the first venues in Scotland to be powered by electricity, the auditorium could hold approximately 1,500 visitors, and, at its peak, all of its shows in a day would have been completely packed.
READ MORE: The story of Stan Laurel and his performing debut on a Glasgow stage
Throughout the years, the Britannia hosted some of the most iconic entertainers of all time, such as Dan Leno, Harry Champion, Charles Coburn, Marie Loftus, Vesta Tilley, Ella Shields, Jack Buchanan, Harry Lauder, and Archie Leech (Cary Grant).
Perhaps most famously, a 16-year-old Stan Laurel made his stage debut at the venue, performing a comedy routine as part of an amateur night in 1906. He would later become half of legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy along with Oliver Hardy, with whom he would act in dozens of films.
The venue would undergo many name changes over its life as new managers took over. The most prominent of these occurred in 1906 when A. E. Pickard leased the Music Hall and changed its name to the Panopticon.
Under Pickard's captaincy, an attic carnival, a wax works, a freak show and even an indoor zoo were added to the newly converted attic and basement spaces, and the venue hosted dancing competitions, boxing demonstrations and much more. Fittingly, the word 'Panopticon' means "to see everything".
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While these new additions were enough to keep the people of Glasgow entertained for the next few decades, the Panopticon was eventually closed in 1938 when the building was sold to tailors.
Fortunately, in 1997, a collection of volunteers started conservation work in order to restore the iconic venue to its former glory. Thanks to the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Trust, founded by Judith Bowers, the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is once again open to the public.
Visitors today can enjoy a variety of entertainment, such as comedy shows, drag, and exhibitions. There are even regular Laurel and Hardy evenings in honour of the venue's unique history.
More information can be found on the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall website.
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