This is one of four images from a hand-written history of the Empire Theatre by an un-named author. The caption reads "Side view showing the size of the theatre".  It is not dated, but text in the history suggests the photographs were taken in 1964 or a little later.

Benefit Boot Company, Lynn Street, Hartlepool. The Empire Theatre can be seen to the right. Picture c1912

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A fairly regular visitor at The Empire was Bobby Thompson, ' The Little Waster' as this advert of April 1955 shows. 

The Merry Magpies was the name of the variety show which featured Bobby Thompson and was recently named after Newcastle United's recent FA Cup win. They ran for about 7 years and were popular even as theatre audiences began to decline.

Civic dignitaries. Judging by the board behind them, they are in the foyer of The Empire Theatre.

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Doug Ferriday with a collection of photographs featuring acts who have performed at the Empire Theatre.

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Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool taken in the 1950s. Al Podesta & His Accordian Band performing

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Empire Theatre Opening Programme 1909

21st Anniversary programme cover from 15th December 1930

Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool, c1918

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A view of the Empire Theatre circa 1960s, showing Curtess Shoes on the corner of Musgrave Street.

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This is one of four images from a hand-written history of the Empire Theatre by an un-named author. It is not dated, but text in the history suggests the photographs were taken in 1964 or a little later.

A view of the Empire Theatre in Lynn Street, with Timpson's shoe shop to the left and Dunn & Co. hat shop on the corner. 

Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, West Hartlepool.

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An Empire Theatre handbill/poster - March 1953.

An Empire Theatre poster for an 'All Comedy Variety Show'- May 1948.

Empire Theatre poster dated Monday, September 9th 1940.

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Empire Theatre Lynn Street. Freeman Street side.

Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, West Hartlepool.

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Lynn Street, showing the corner of Musgrave Street, West Hartlepool.

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In 1967, the Empire Theatre in Lynn St was boarded up awaiting demolition although it was some years before this happened. This image shows the Gallery entrance on the corner of Lynn St and Freeman St.

The image shows the entrance in Lynn Street to the theatre. At the time, 'The Romantic Age' with Frank Morgan seems to be showing.

Foyer Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool

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The view is from Whitby Street looking towards Lynn Street where Woolworths can be seen. The fire escape of the Empire is on the right. Most of the south side of the street was taken up with the Empire as the houses built in the mid 1800s were demolished when the theatre was built in 1909.

Placard depicting Empire Theatre external and the interior floor plan.

The photograph was taken in November 1947 and according to the NDM, the cat was called Upsy, was grey and 9 months old. It belonged to Renara one of the variety performers at the Empire that week and the photo was taken outside the theatre. He was apparently presented to Renara at the Camberwell theatre and had since travelled over 6000 miles in his short life. He was trained to have a lead incase he became lost in strange places !  

He was called Upsy as his owner was a friend of Tommy Handley. (Does anyone know why?)

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A busy day in Lynn Street with shops from the left: Nicholson grocer, Timtpson shoes, Blackburn menswear, The Empire and Dunne's hatmaker on the  corner of Freeman Street.

Penny Dixon sitting on the bonnet of a Wolseley Hornet in 1966. The car's registration plate is a 'C' - 1965. In the background is the old Empire Theatre, which ended its days as a Bingo Hall in 1964.

This is one of four images from a hand-written history of the Empire Theatre by an un-named author. The caption reads "side view of the theatre showing the rear entrance boarded up and glass broken". It is not dated, but text in the history suggests the photographs were taken in 1964 or a little later.

Seating and stage of the Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool. There was seating for 2100 and the decor was red and gold. This is from a glass plate.

Seating inside Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool in 1949

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This is one of four images from a hand-written history of the Empire Theatre by an un-named author. The caption reads "Side view showing the desolate dressing rooms". It is not dated, but text in the history suggests the photographs were taken in 1964 or a little later.

Muriel Batty (nee Hird) has many fond memories of The Empire Fish Grill, her family's business in Whitby Street. The shop will also be remembered  by many of Hartlepool's townsfolk.

Muriel was 13 at the start of World War 2 and as there was little school at the time, she began to help her mother in the fish shop and remained there until 1977 when it was demolished. The Empire Fish Grill was always popular but never more so than when there was a good 'turn' on at the Empire Theatre in nearby Lynn Street. Not only would the public call in after a house finished but often the acts would too.  The family always knew how busy they would be depending on who was 'on' at the theatre. Max Bygraves was one she recalls always meant a packed house and good business for them.

Bobby Thompson was at the Empire a number of times and would always shout out, 'Is me fish ready?' and would then depart fish in hand to the Black Lion opposite for a pint. They did well when there were two 'houses' she remembers.

It was a real family business as Muriel's brother in law had the Hygienic Fish Grill in Shrewesbury Street and her sister another fish shop in Elwick Road.

A picture of the Merry Martins who apeared at the Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool. It is inscribed 'To Harry & Eva, Two of the Best'. 1952 is written in the bottom right hand corner.

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Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool. Also in this image are Timpson's shoe shop, Blackburn's clothiers store and Dunn & Co.'s hat shop. 

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The front of the Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool

Taken at the Empire in July 1951, the photo shows from left to right: Harry Metcalfe the manager, Tommy Trinder, Jack Radcliffe and Norman Evans (Over the Garden Wall)

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Upper Circle, Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool

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Part of a theatre programme for the Empire. Undated but reviews on programme are from 1936. He seems to have been an international star and is probably the Danish 'Dante' who lived in the USA and died in 1955.

Waiting Area, Empire Theatre, Lynn Street, Hartlepool

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