Britannia Panopticon Music Hall
Britannia Panopticon Music Hall tours
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is currently operated as a venue with various artefacts on display from the Panopticon’s vibrant past. Visitors will be treated to a menagerie of music hall memorabilia including Spidora, and upon special request may even listen to an original pianola. Visitors will also have an opportunity to browse a fascinating array of music hall souvenirs and memorabilia.
Duration: Approximately 30 minutes.
How to book: No booking required. Open for general viewing Tuesday to Saturdays 12-5pm. Visitors wishing a more in depth tour should contact Judith Bowers, Director, by phone on +44 (0)141 553 0840 or mobile +44 (0)77 6677 5055 or email Judith Bowers in advance of their visit.
Cost: £2 Adults, £1 Child.
How to get there
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is located in the centre of Glasgow on Trongate, approximately 5-10 minute walk from Glasgow Central Station. The musical hall is located just above Mitchell's Amusement Arcade and just east of T.J. Hughes.
For further details please see the website.
Nearby
Glasgow is a city of rich theatrical heritage with a handful of architectural and historical gems from the late-19th century including:
King’s Theatre, Glasgow
Citizens Theatre also listed on The Theatres Trust Database ID: 2354
Pavilion Theatre also listed on The Theatres Trust Database ID: 2359
Theatre Royal Glasgow also listed on The Theatres Trust Database ID: 2308
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is one of the oldest surviving music hall's in the world. Built in 1857 by Thomas Gildard and H. M. McFarlane, it has hosted some of the biggest names on the Music Hall circuit. In 1906 Stan Laurel made his first stage appearance there on amateur night. In that same year A. E. Pickard bought the building and changed its name to the Panopticon. He also undertook some major works, installing a freak show, a roof top carnival and a waxworks. He also excavated the basement and installed an indoor zoo.
The Panopticon was one of the first buildings in Glasgow to be powered by electricity and one of the first cinemas in Scotland. It closed in 1938 when it was sold to a tailor and converted to a workshop. It is currently being run by the Friends of the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall Trust that regularly performs traditional shows in the auditorium. It is now protected as a category A listed building. The Panopticon Trust is raising funds to purchase and restore the building.
See The Theatres Trust Theatres Database ID 2238 Britannia Panopticon Music Hall
See also Arthur Lloyd Music Hall and History website
