City Varieties Music Hall

Swan Street and Briggate,
Leeds, LS1 6LW

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Related Websites

Leeds Heritage Theatres (Official)

Additional Info

Architects: George Henry Smith

Functions: Live Performances, Movies (Independent)

Previous Names: City Palace of Varieties

Nearby Theaters

City Varieties Music Hall

Located on Swan Street, a narrow cobbled street which is entered through Thornton’s Arcade, off Briggate in the city centre. The City Varieties Music Hall is located above the White Swan Pub and it opened as a music hall named City Palace of Varieties on 13th March 1865. The original seating capacity was 750-seats, with 312-seats in the orchestra stalls, 130-seats in the dress circle, 118-seats in the pit stalls and 190-seats in the gallery. There are six dressing rooms and the orchestra pit can accommodate 8or 9 musicians.

The City Varieties Music Hall gained national fame when it was the location for the very popular BBC TV series “The Good Old Days” which ran from 1953 to 1983. The invited audience participated by wearing Edwardian costumes, and were entertained by well known stars of variety theatre and light entertainment.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 2 comments)

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on July 19, 2023 at 3:40 am

Built on the former site of the White Swan coaching Inn. There is a blue plaque on the outside wall of this building.

Biffaskin
Biffaskin on September 17, 2023 at 7:57 am

Has this venerable old lady not been Listed yet?

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.