Hidden Secrets Of Leeds City Varieties Music Hall

[@ConradNeill]

Your photo fades are otherworldly.

[@andybbeck2043]

fantastic presentation Darren as allways

[@jeremypreece870]

What a great find at 5:38 to see a beautiful Edwardian sign about not filming with mobile phones. Just imagine how big mobile phones would have been in the first couple of decades of the last century! :)

[@matt-of-lancs]

Very distinctive, busy orb appears from the ceiling at 4:46

[@papalegba6796]

Wish I could like your videos 1000x, the amount of clear, accurate info you get into just 10 minutes puts many "professional" documentary makers to shame.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@gazza9463]

I'll second that. Darren goes from strength to strength. A fascinating look into the History of one of LEEDS , most famous attractions.

[@bobly]

That was interesting to see what Leeds City Varieties looked like behind the scenes

[@stepheng8779]

This place is a national treasure, of equal importance as the Palladium or any of the other London venues. Find memories of being able to stay up late & watch the Good Old Days with my Nana babysitting us 💓 Nice to see a renovation done properly, even righting some wrongs of the past, see it can be done. Excellent video as always.

[@rachelwalker7091]

What a great video. Thanks.

[@caleblindley7142]

Wow great stuff and didn't even know this place existed. You're like the Indiana Jones of Leeds, great video.

[@stuartbroome1258]

Oh to be a time traveller and return at various points to see the music hall. Must try to visit. Great video.

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Darren, I remember that show on the telly. I don't think I appreciated what it was back then. I didn't know the theatre was in Leeds, great to read the comments on here of people who went to see it. Great video Good luck from Spain!!

[@zoltar666pz]

Darren Thank You out of all the 37 years I have Lived in Leeds working for LCC I have never been in this place thanks mate

[@fatlad5090]

Nice one daz

[@craigsouthwell]

That line from Liam Neeson I have on my landline answering machine. Lol 😂 😆 🤣 Great video as always young man 😁

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@danielkarmy4893]

Reminds me of one of my favourite quotes; I don't know who said it, or wrote it, or even where I first heard it. 'In the end, what does the comedian have to show for his years of hard work and strife, but the echo of forgotten laughter...'

[@tomgirldouble3249]

Wonderful, always wanted to go to City Varieties, used to watch good old days with my gran & think she went there once with a great aunt😊

[@boz1810]

I loved The Good Old Days. The waiting list for audience tickets was legendary - as was Leonard Sachs. "Once again! Good evening; ladies and gentle-men!"

[@gillylangley1111]

We still do Good Old Days, folk dress up still October time

[@RAFchurchlawford4469]

@@gillylangley1111 That's reassuring to know, as this decade will be known as the bad old days. Collins Dictionary: Someone who is woke is very aware of social and political unfairness.

[@gillylangley1111]

@RAF Church Lawford I 'm not sure I understand the comment?.

[@anthonyellis987]

What I love about the restoration is that they left some of the hidden secrets on view.

[@eliz9369]

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you so much Darren.

[@tugger10doran15]

Thanks Darren another great video

[@jetsons101]

Great photo fade at 0:54 Did you notice the "You Pay TELEPHONE" hanging wall sign at the middle left of the image, so modern .The restoration looks great, nice the workers left so many nods to the past here and there. Darren, thanks for your time and hard work

[@juneholroyd8287]

Great video Darren, past the city varieties many times, never been in,but used to watch it on TV, years ago, with my mum.

[@davegb99]

I must admit that it was the late 1960s since I was last in City Varieties. I was there in the audience for a televised show Junior Showtime. Who remembers that with Bobby Bennett hosting and the like of Glynn Poole and the Poole Family. I think the likes of Lena Zavaroni and later Bonnie Langford also appeared.

[@daviddillon172]

Junior Showtime on the BBC also came from there, I remember Joe Longthorne on it as a young lad.

[@pietweety7020]

Excellent as always pal.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@Design2winLew]

Brings back memories of when I was a kid watch The Good Old Days on TV with my parents . Excellent vid Darren .

[@heavyt749]

Superb as always Darren

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks again!

[@douglasthompson296]

Damned Darren, what an episode to bring back many memories. As others have said the waiting list to get on the recorded shows was miles long. My mum and a group from the scouts group got tickets and had to go in cars already dressed up. I seem to think the TV production team used to recommend a stage props hire company for invited audience to get the correct period costumes from. I know my mum was made up to be going. Happy memories. Cheers DougT

[@andybbeck2043]

i know super interesting stuff and as i said super kool presentation as allways.

[@richardhalliday6469]

A fascinating insight Darren, another excellent, concise and informative production - some marvellous nuggets of interest as usual - first class.

[@swanteal2355]

Thanks Darren, great video. I went there with school trip in 1980s and we went through headrow side door. I remember the name' Verity show ' theatre and it was dark inside. 🙂❇️

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

(02:07) Buster Keaton and Eartha Kitt. Now there's a variety show I'd queue in the snow for!

[@hollimurray8856]

Brilliant video. The last fade in photo gave me goosebumps the same happened with the Butlins Filey but that one got me chocked up. 😊

[@AdventureMe]

You and me both!

[@wul01]

Me too, keep skipping back

[@lynnballington8467]

Hello Darren how are you I use to watch the good old days on the telly with my mum and dad it was very good and sometimes funny best wishes take care stay safe xx

[@sarahcrowther6267]

Beautiful, so glad they kept features from previous incarnations. 🤗

[@michaeldibb]

I've saw Ken Dodd, Norman Wisdom Frankie Howerd, and Blaster Bates there. 🙂

[@McKluskie]

Absolutely fantastic work thanks

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@andrewvickers4264]

Very interesting and a great video - particularly the stuff about decorations uncovered during the recent renovation work. Picture of "Thorntons Arcade" did look suspiciously like County Arcade.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it. It was the wrong one lol

[@LancashireLass]

Great film, thanks Darren. Looks like a sensitive restoration and modernisation for once! Especially like the idea of sticking the lift on the outside so you get accessibility without smashing the building up.

[@shirleysmith1713]

What a marvellous theatre ,so much history . Very interesting Darren. Thanks for showing 👍🏻😀

[@tonybrigg7737]

As with your epic railway videos, this is brilliant diversion and very interesting.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@angelajuneholmes4933]

Loved that , thank you for taking us on a tour of this beautiful historic theatre / music hall . I pass it nearly everyday but have only been inside a couple of times .

[@jeremypreece870]

I well remember the TV series! The theatre is an absolute gem! As I watched, particularly the shots of the stage, I was struck by just how small the theatre is. That stage look tiny.

[@shaunwest3612]

Great video Darren, very beautiful building,loads of history, maybe you could visit the kings theatre in Southsea or the theatre royal in Portsmouth,both have so much history and are beautiful, thanks 👍😀👌

[@ronnievenhorst9873]

This is another nice video. Very interesting to see. And it's nice that they have restored as much as possible to the original state

[@steverock4329]

Really enjoyed your video Darren, my missus was just saying she went on a school trip there back in the day to watch ‘Junior Showtime’ which I think was shown on the TV back in the 60’s

[@emmaslifeonline6507]

Love your videos!!

[@lainydepp]

Love the old and new photo comparisons. I often look at old buildings and wonder what they started out as. People call me sad but I don't care 😄❤

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for the video this morning. Always an entertaining tour with you. A resurrection from the past. Hope Barney is improving. See you on the next. Cheers Darren! ❤😊

[@AdventureMe]

Barney is much better this weekend.

[@martinmarsola6477]

@@AdventureMe Good news! Thank you Darren. My thoughts are with you both daily.

[@PStaveley]

To clarify City Varieties is the longest (nearly) CONTINUOUSLY running Music Hall. Wilton's is older but has not operated continuously.

[@AdventureMe]

I'm using their official line of nations longest running music hall. That's not my doing.

[@WiggysanWiggysan]

Brilliant Dareren. Light heartesd, fun & VERY informative. You are on fire this year.

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Hi Darren. What a great find, with plenty of interesting history.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@groovydonkey]

Great video Darren, I found it totally fascinating and remember watching the Good Old Days on tv, now that's showing my age lol. well done and hope to see more like this.

[@jojomillward675]

Loved this episode. So many amazing memories performing at the theatre as a dance school kid. I’m a proud Leeds girls to have walked,pranced and tapped on those boards. 💚

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Fascinating! What a marvellous piece of restoration. Long may it thrive.

[@RobinHullBuilds]

Hey Darren When I worked for The Stage Newspaper in the late 1970’s, early 1980’s, we carried many adverts that featured the venue, as well as reviews for the countless shows that were held there! Many of the famous faces you showed were regularly featured within the “Variety” section of the newspaper. And, I had the pleasure of meeting many of them. My boss loved variety acts and would spend much of the summer season travelling around seaside towns to watch the performances by many household names. Great video, as always. Very enjoyable!

[@Dan23_7]

Brilliant, what a beautiful building 😍 Excellent episode, thank you Darren 👍🏼

[@dianeshepherd7913]

Another fabulous video filled with lots of info of years gone by, and how different today is.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@raymondlee4767]

Very interesting video Darren, My late mum used to go there back in the late 1940's and 50's her family lived near the Salem Chappel just before Leeds Bridge so no bus or tram fares to pay, Again Nice One.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@michaelrender1584]

Nice one 👍 Darren

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@pamstringer1342]

I used to work here before I moved to Cornwall in 1990. I used to work for the Manager Peter Sandeman and loved it. There was some restoration work undertaken when I was there but it's interesting to see what has been done now. I remember working with the late Barney Colehan the Producer of the Good Old Days. When Ken Dodd appeared there he never knew when to finish on stage and people used to miss their transport home! Lovely memories x

[@brianscales9912]

Another interesting video Darren, thank you for sharing. I remember watching 'The Good Old Days' with the likes of Ken Dodd, Danny Larue, Barbara Windsor and many more. Very interesting to see around the theatre. 👍

[@davidbennett906]

Who can forget the Good Old Days on the telly back in the day, and it's great to know this fabulous venue is still there and even better than it was. A must visit place when in Leeds for sure, and many thanks for this tour and reminding us of it. Keep up the good work lad!

[@davidnm21]

I’m not from Leeds but what a fascinating video Darren. That beautiful old theatre absolute gem of a place and yes, I remember The Old Time Music Hall on tv. Actually there’s one here in my home town of Gorleston On Sea in Norfolk. Cracking fade ins and outs from yesteryear 👍👍

[@kathrynthomas6138]

Fabulous video Darren. It's such a beautiful theatre and so much history. Thank you ❤

[@amc5966]

What a fantastic place. Thanks for this Darren.

[@shirleylynch7529]

What an interesting and fascinating video. Excellent filming and so informative. What a work you have put in to this Darren. Excellent. Thank you for sharing.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@simongee8928]

It's so goood to see such important history preserved and restored so well. 😊

[@andybonner5105]

Great video. I've never visited, but will make plans to change this asap. I also had no idea how extensive the hall was. Thanks again Darren!

[@AdventureMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@grahamdavidcowley]

It was also used by Yorkshire Television for Diane's Magic Theatre. I worked for the Minnie Thompson School of Dancing and they performed The Sleeping Beauty there. The show was produced by Jess Yates of Stars on Sunday fame, and father of Paula Yates.

[@stepheng8779]

Thought that was Hughie Green 🤔

[@Thurlby99]

Yet again Darren a great vlog with interesting info and history with access to places the public don't normally see. I always look forward to see what you have planned next.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@dianehaile7028]

I love the atmosphere in that theatre and pub, used to go in late 1970s

[@pinacmediauk7453]

Wow I did enjoy your video mate keep up the good work bro

[@juliec70]

Great video, Darren. It's a beautiful theatre you visit some amazing places 😊

[@AdventureMe]

It really is!

[@gavlosmedia6323]

On that first fade it looked like Halfords opposite on Briggate!

[@hyperballadbradx6486]

Love it there. Been a few times. I've been recently watching The Good Old Days on KZbin. Never a dull moment. So entertaining!

[@Kaystaaa]

Great video Darren! I remember watching pantomime’s here around Christmas time when I was little, as a present from my lovely Grandad. Between this and your Blackpool videos, they brings back a lot of good memories for me, whilst learning new things about the places I’ve visited but never knew the history of. Thank you for sharing! 😊

[@gillylangley1111]

Come see Panto we still have them Rock n Roll now xx

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dancedecker]

"Oh no you didn't" Sorry. Couldn't resist.

[@Kaystaaa]

@@gillylangley1111 I’ll have to take a look! 😊

[@Kaystaaa]

@@dancedecker Oh yes I did! 😆

[@davidnorman7761]

Darren superb video .didn't think it would be for me .more in to the railway side.but this was brilliant Darren up to you're usual high standards .well done.

[@nicklowe536]

What a beautiful theatre long may it's stage be filled with laughter and entertainment

[@lindseykaine-walley6339]

Another History video for us to enjoy ❤ Beautiful Theatre ❤ You are such a laugh too, that's why we love watching you!

[@AdventureMe]

Thank you so much!

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

Such a beautiful building is this theatre, Darren. It's been well restored indeed, and finding all those artefacts associated with the place has made it all that more interesting too. A very good video, and many thanks for sharing it.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@christopherjordan4812]

I remember the White Swan pub aka Mucky Duck as a real dive in the late 70’s. The bouncer on the door had a rearranged face like I had never saw, or seen since.

[@moggiee1]

Excellent informative video! KZbin at its finest - many thanks for this!

[@gillylangley1111]

Love this, and thank you for the special thank you mention 😊 I'm missing the place as I've broken my leg ..

[@AdventureMe]

You got me in lol

[@gillylangley1111]

@AdventureMe glad I did as I learnt some things too x

[@MrMistoffelees]

Despite moving to Yorkshire some 35 years ago, I only just "got around" to visiting the CV at the end of last year. It's a great wee venue and this was a great wee video.

[@chrisbleeds]

Great video. I was at the theatre to see a show last week, we are really lucky to have such a great place like this in Leeds.

[@mixwizard2310]

What a fantastic video this is, a real gem in terms of preserving the memory of such a wonderful theatre.......Well done and thank you so much.

[@AdventureMe]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@waynecheshire7878]

I remember the good old days 📺 I’m gonna check what’s on and go visit 👍

[@chrisberry7589]

Was actually there at the start of last month and it is a very nice building indeed. I didn't know that it is above a pub, thanks for the info and a very interesting video

[@danielbooth2982]

Pete Firman the magician is going here later this year and he is superb. Really liked the video thank.

[@paulrobinson8263]

Excellent mate and thanks for sharing 👍👍

[@dcallan812]

Great video. 2x👍

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@irwinator]

Should try get into The Alhambra or St Georges Hall in Bradford for things like this, would be awesome

[@andrewmatley7688]

what a great find mate id love to walk round buildings like that cheers.

[@AdventureMe]

Thanks 👍

[@marybradley7791]

Excellent video, i didnt even know this place exsisted, so much history there very interesting.

[@AdventureMe]

Many thanks!

[@Wedgedoow]

Some times known as the "Titty variieties" Very good Darren loving the heritage of Leeds.

[@AdventureMe]

I can guess why lol

[@rontanser9369]

Yes I remember the good old days on BBC television they did used to have some good Artists, appearing

[@aldhous]

What a place that is.

[@simongee8928]

You should come and do a video of the Gt. Yarmouth Hippodrome Circus Darren. One of only two remaining permanent circus building in the country, it's steeped in history and I'm certain you'd have a grand time there - ! 😊 Run by the Jay family, every performance is an absolute treat - ! 😅

[@yorkiesteve9453]

I heard a rumour back in the 70s that it was The Swan pub down on Call Lane that had a reputation for prostitues, so the nickname of The Piccadilly Bar was created so that people didn't get mixed up. I remember when the BBC were filming The Good Old Days back in the 70s, I don't recall them ever using those little hatches to run cables through, there were just loads of cables running all along the ground, there'd definitely be a claim or two today if it were still going on. A mate of mine was the landlord of the pub for a short time back in the mid 90s, I remember calling in to visit him the day of Lady Diana's funeral, I've never seen Leeds to be as empty on the streets. You've certainly stirred a few memories for me with this clip. I wonder if you could take a request to film or gain info for an old haunt of mine back in the 70s. The Hoffbrauhaus up at the Merrion Center, it was next to The General Wade, although, that place had several name changes over the years. The Hoffbrau was a German Bierkeller type hall, that was below the multi-storey car park that still stands there. I'm annoyed at myself for not taking photos of the place when I used to go there. Keep up the good work Darren, and good luck with the request if you decide to take it on.

[@stevenjoy3537]

Be good if you could gain access to the old Merrion Centre theatre