Tivoli Theatre, Grimsby
This is a programme from the Tivoli Theatre, Duncombe Street. Grimsby. Built as a variety theatre in 1905, it seated 2000, which was later reduced when it was converted into a cinema. However, in 1938 it must have been doing something called Cine Variety – whereby a film was shown interspersed with live entertainment. By the looks of this programme, it must have still presented variety.
I noticed Donald Peers was on the bill. I remember seeing him in a show in Great Yarmouth when we were with my Nanny Lettie – whose programme this was. I wonder if he brought back memories? And were they sad or bittersweet?
You see, there is something about this programme that I hadn’t really noticed when I looked at it over the years. The date is March 21st 1938. Did my grandfather take his wife to try and cheer her up?
On the 28th January that same year (some 7 weeks before) my grandmother’s beloved elder brother was lost with all hands when his ship foundered off the Old Man of Hoy in the Orkneys. It takes on a whole different meaning as to why she saved the programme. All supposition, of course, but it makes me wonder if I am quite close to the sentimental value of a simple theatre programme.