THE GLOBE THEATRE, STOCKTON

 

The Globe's 1930's splendour is to be restored. Live music is on its way back to one of the North East’s most iconic venues after 35 years – Stockton’s historic Globe Theatre. Where thousands once flocked to see The Beatles, Buddy Holly, The Shadows, The Rolling Stones and other stars, top bands and entertainers are set to thrill audiences once again – by September 2013 if all goes to plan.

The Globe Theatre gets a facelift with this striking new building wrap, which has been installed on the front of the theatre, in Stockton High Street. The bright design is providing a temporary facelift and highlighting the building’s potential, whilst its owners Jomast work on developing proposals for its renovation.

Stockton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Councillor Mike Smith, said: “This temporary façade is not only a sign of our support for the Globe itself but also for the wider regeneration of the northern end of the high street. We’re really encouraged to see new investment in this area and the redevelopment of the Lambton Castle as well as the external improvement works to the front of Debenhams are a welcome sign of transformation. We’re sure that we’ll continue to see more exciting developments in the area as the multi-million pound regeneration of the High Street continues to take shape.” To view the image larger, click on the photograph.

The Globe Theatre in Stockton High Street in the 1930's. It first opened to the public in 1935. We hope the brief history we have provided on this page is to your liking. As time goes by we will try to add more photographs and material as, and when, we receive it. Please do keep checking back, from time to time, for more updates.

The reception of The Globe Theatre 1954. The films being advertised at the time included the Dan Duryea movie "36 Hours" from 1953 and the horror film "Them" which starred James Whitmore in 1954. It's also interesting to see a poster on the wall which reads "Records played in this theatre were supplied by Leslie Brown" - the record shop in the High Street. The photograph, which can be viewed in a larger size by clicking on it, was supplied courtesy of Dusashenka's collection of Old Cinema Photographs.

The Globe Theatre with a classic Art Deco exterior and as the banner says 'Coming Soon" hopefully by September 2013.

American singing star Guy Mitchell appeared at The Globe Theatre in September 1954. He wasn't "Singing The Blues" on this night because probably his most famous hit single wasn't released until 1956 and didn't hit number one until 1957. He was though singing "She Wears Red Feathers" and "Feet Up (Pat Him On The Po-Po)" to excite his many fans.

Long before The Beatles caused mass hysteria and had constant screaming at concerts, a young man from Bermondsey, in London, called Tommy Hicks created similar scenes in the 1950's. He became better known as Tommy Steele - Britain's teenage idol - and this photograph shows huge queues outside The Globe for his appearance there in 1957.

Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers had a smash hit with "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" in 1956 and appeared at The Globe Theatre from Monday, May 6th, 1957 for one week.

Buddy Holly and The Crickets on stage in March 1958. The Crickets were Jerry Mauldin on bass, drummer Jerry Allison with Buddy on Fender Stratocaster.

Gene Vincent visited The Globe in on February 24th, 1960 - backed by Brian Locking and Brian Bennett, soon to be members of The Shadows.

The Everly Brothers - Don and Phil - on stage at The Globe Theatre in 1960. They didn't have their own band so they were backed by The Crickets.

The Shadows - Jet Harris, Hank B. Marvin, Bruce Welch and Tony Meehan - sporting their new tailored shirts backstage in 1960.

Cliff Richard and The Shadows on stage in 1961. It shows Bruce Welch on rhythm guitar, Cliff in the centre, Hank B.Marvin on lead with Jet Harris on bass at the rear.

The King of Skiffle, Lonnie Donegan, appeared at The Globe several times. He first appeared in October 1957 and then in pantomime Aladdin in 1959.  The photograph, with his many admirers, dates to Christmas 1963.

Children enjoying a photograph session with the stars of the 1961/2 pantomine "Dick Whittington" with Ken Platt, on the extreme left, with Frank Ifield who played 'Dick" and Hank B. Marvin and Jet Harris of The Shadows on the right. Frank Ifield, who lives in Australia these days, says: "I recall the show with great memories as it was my first panto and even my first production show since arriving in the UK at the end of November 1959. I think the Panto was in Christmas 1960 and I had just had my first minor hit on the charts with Lucky Devil".

Joe Brown and The Bruvvers rehearsing at Stockton Globe Theatre in 1962/63. The photograph shows drummer Bobbie Graham, Joe, Peter Oakman on bass and his brother, Tony Oakman, on rhythm guitar. Joe recorded his album "Joe Brown - Live" at the theatre. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

Joe Brown played "Wishee Washee" in the panto "Aladdin" over the Christmas period 1962/3.

Joe Brown & The Bruvvers appearing on the ITV programme "Thank Your Lucky Stars" in 1962 with Bobbie Graham on drums and Brian Dunn, from Ripon, on rhythm guitar.

Heinz (Burt) of The Tornados and Billy Fury from October, 1963.

Marty Wilde sings his hits in October, 1963. He's backed here by Big Jim Sullivan on lead guitar.

The Beatles on stage at The Globe Theatre on Friday, November 22nd, 1963. This was the day that President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. Ringo Starr is hidden by his drum kit but Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon can be clearly seen.

It's a well known fact that The Beatles appeared at The Astoria, in Middlesbrough, on June 23rd, 1963 with local band The Johnny Taylor 5 in supporting role. They also made two appearances at The Globe - on Friday, November 22nd, 1963 and again in 1964. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon are shown here in Stockton with entertainer Cherry Roland.

The poster from that night in 1963. Sharing the bill with the 'fab four' were The Brook Brothers, Peter Jay and The Jaywalkers, The Vernons Girls and The Kestrels with compere Frank Berry.

The Searchers - Chris Curtis, Tony Jackson, John McNally and Mike Pender - appeared at The Globe in November 1963.

Teenage star Helen Shapiro was "Walking Back To Happiness" in December 1963. American idol Bobby Rydell shared the bill with her.

Many said that Cliff Richard was Britain's answer to Elvis Presley. The success of his first hit "Move It" proved he was a force to be reckoned with. Cliff is seen here backstage at The Globe signing autographs for fans in 1964.

The Shadows on stage with Tony Meehan on drums, Bruce Welch on rhythm guitar, Jet Harris on bass and Hank B. Marvin on lead.

Gerry and The Pacemakers played The Globe twice in 1964 - on February 21st and December 4th.

Cilla Black photographed backstage in 1964. She was another popular act from Liverpool and this young lady, from Scotland Road, was christened Priscilla White when she was born.

Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, at the back, with Billy Wyman and Brian Jones seated - The Rolling Stones visited The Globe in 1964.

Brian Poole and The Tremeloes played, as part of a star-studed bill, at The Globe on May 5th, 1965. This photograph, part of an original Decca Records publicity shoot, was taken in 1963 near the River Thames on the Embankment in London. Brian says he still has fond memories of The Globe and often talks about Jim & Keith Lipthorpe who used to run The Fiesta in town.

Ike and Tina Turner appeared at The Globe on Thursday, September 24th, 1966.

This goes to show that you can get 'blood from a stone'. This newspaper article says: "Seconds after appearing on stage at Stockton last night Mick Jagger, the Rolling Stones lead singer, was hit above the right eye by a coin thrown from the screaming audience. "Bleeding quite heavily Jagger continued his performance holding a bandage to his face (above). "Jagger had just begun singing when he had to duck to avoid a shoe thrown by a girl in the audience. "He was then struck above the right eye by a coin". After the show Mick received three stitches from one of the St. Johns' Ambulance nurses. Clicking on the picture will open to a larger image.

Freddie & The Dreamers appeared in the pantomine "Cinderella" at The Globe in December, 1967.

Freddie & The Dreamers having fun in Hong Kong - and all signed.

 

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