It was 7.30pm on a chilly evening half way through January in 1933. A crowd of people was sitting expectantly in the auditorium of the
Tivoli Theatre waiting for the show to begin.
The show in question was the second pantomime performed by the Buckley Amateur Pantomime Company and the first produced by Dennis Griffiths (1895-1972).
As the curtains parted on the opening chorus of Dick Whittington and his Cat, an enchantment had begun which weaved its magic through the hearts of Buckley folk and far beyond throughout 27 glorious years.
It is 40 years since the last performance but the passage of time has not diminished the love and affection many have for Dennis Griffiths' pantomime. In the programme Mr Griffiths invited all complaints "to be made on the back of a ten shilling note (not returnable) and addressed to..."
The scale of the ambitious show formed the bedrock for those to come and, over time, a routine evolved. Mr Griffiths armed himself with a bevy of some of his brightest stars and once every 12 months took them to London where the streets were paved with panto gold.
They were there for costumes and to look at other performances, among other things. By 1939 the company could claim in its programme that their Aladdin was Flintshire's Great Amateur Production.
It showed for a week and started in mid-February. The changing of dates to later in the year was a vain attempt to avoid the snow. Later again it moved to March but still the snow followed.
People walked from as far away as Broughton, Hawarden and Ewloe. For rehearsals The Tivoli, then a cinema and now a nightclub, was unavailable until the Sunday before the show so rehearsals were held in Mr Griffiths' house, the Assembly Rooms, Liverpool Road, now the Conservative Club, in a hut in Church Road and in the hut at Hawkesbury.
Lateness and abscence were not tolerated. The cast list of the first pantomime states that the dame, Martha, was played by Richard Catherall. Things were less formal after that and everyone's favourite dame, Dick Catherall, performed over the years as dame Cruso, Widow Twankey, Gertrude, Cogia, Clara Clicksquick and Ugly sister Sarsparella. Harry Dolby took over for the last couple of years.
Even during the war years the show continued with panto revues in 1940-42. By the jubilee production, Mr Griffiths was 63 and not in perfect health. In addition, the introduction of more television sets into living rooms heralded the dawning of a new era of entertainment. Not that audience numbers were suffering.
At 8.45pm on March 14 1959 the curtains rose on the last performance of the last pantomime, Puss in Boots.
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your comments
Susan Roberts (nee Griffith), Buckley
Peggy Griffith's daughter - in the panto from the age of 5. Tiv. 1959 aged 10 played the part of 'Puss in Boots'. Mum dancing teacher and principal boy and girl many times. Mum, 89, last week. We have wonderful, fond memories, a fantastic era which we both love to recall.
Wed Mar 4 09:26:12 2009
Margaret Higginson (nee Evans) Buckley
I was privileged to have been in the Pantomime from the age of three in 1945 to the last performance given at the Tivoli. What a wonderful childhood with many friends and memories of our days in the Panto. Would love to hear from anyone else from those days.
Mon Jun 23 08:35:14 2008
Peter Swingler
Buckley pantomime was my first introduction to the genre. I was taken there by my grandmother on a bus trip from Wrexham; we went each year. I saw Dick Catherall as Dame (marvellous), the Dolby (?) brothers I think and Peggie (can't recall surname) as principal boy and girl. To my young eyes the pantos were spectacular; the sense of excitement almost too much to bear. I still remember walking along Brunswick Road between lines and lines of coaches from all over the country. Buckley and the Tivoli will be forever pantomime for me.
Tue Mar 25 09:57:17 2008
Andrew Hughes from Buckley
I used to love going to the pantomine at the Elfed. Ken Lloyd was the dame, Joan Jones was the principal boy. Margaret Bell was the principal girl and I remember Paul Joy's mum playing Snow White. Happy memories of the Buckley Pantomime...
Wed Jan 30 09:09:50 2008
Paul Joy
I was in the pantomime when I was about 8 years old (1970). I played the Wizard of Oz. My mum June played Puss in Boots, Snow White etc. She now lives in Fife. I'm in Spain. My gran use to work in the bakery, so did I. Also Butterly Brickworks, when I was 14 in summer hols.
Mon Dec 10 07:49:08 2007
Carol Shone, Buckley Society Archive
I'm pleased that my piece on Dennis Griffiths' pantomime has brought back memories. If anyone has any photographs of the panto, I would be delighted to see them. We have lots already on our archive but could do with more. Contact though the Buckley Society website or the library.
Fri Dec 7 10:16:50 2007
Melvyn Smallwood
27/11/2007 I am trying to contact Marion Catherall urgently - can anyone help me.
Wed Nov 28 09:52:40 2007
Eric, Connah's Quay
The Buckley Panto used to be the highlight of the year. My mother, Jose Owen, used to run coaches to the panto with P Lloyds. There used to be about 10 or 11 coaches totally packed to go there and they were all full. My great uncle, William Jones, used to play Buttons in Cinderella before I was born. I have a photo of him in his Buttons uniform but do not know the date. Great times when I was a lad.
Wed Jul 25 09:05:30 2007
Malcolm Cartwright, Auckland N.Z.
My parents, ex Spon Green, took me to the Buckley Pantomime in the mid to late forties. Widow Twankey terrified me.
Wed May 16 08:13:08 2007
Vanessa, Sychdyn
I very much enjoy Buckley panto and I have danced in it in the last 2 years!
Tue Mar 6 08:25:38 2007
David, Buckley
I was one of the trumpeters in the band for 17 years and enjoyed every moment of it (especially writing out all the music to the dress rehearsal). I still live in Buckley but my trumpeter colleague, Mark, has moved away. Uncle Vic (Jenkinson) tickled the ivories in those days. Can't beat live music.
Wed Feb 28 07:55:27 2007
Terry Wilcock from Buckingham
I know that a number of contributors have been wanting to exchange views etc and to that end I have no problem in publishing my email address. I appreciate with today's security issues the BBC site cannot directly publish or be held responsible for any mis-use of this information.
If anyone wishes to contact me directly re The Tiv. the Pantomime, The Chariots or Buckley in general. This is a short life and the history of our youth should not go undocumented. It does not matter who or what we now are and to that end would be delighted to continue to share any memories and document them for posterity.
Thu Feb 15 15:28:48 2007
Terry Wilcock from Buckingham
Hi to Marion and the webteam. Fantastic, I and I am sure many others would love to see these published on the Buckley website, there must be enough material to fill a whole section! It may prompt more memories from those who were directly involved particularly in the early days. I appreciate that all of a sudden we are becoming the last generation to remember the panto at the Tivoli so it is vital that we all document and show all we can. Marion, I think that the library should hold at least a copy of what photos you have as I believe they are an important memory bank for many local events. They were kind enough to show a history of the old skiffle group and The Chariots that Jo Chesters and I put together so I am sure that something as important as the pantomime would be welcome.
Cheers and love to you all, Terry Wilcock.
Mon Jan 29 10:25:19 2007
Marion Catherall
Terry Wilcock, I have a lot of photos of the pantomine I am considering whether to give them to the buckley library. Your coments?
Webteam replies: Maybe you could let us use some of them here too?
Thu Jan 25 08:05:12 2007
Jeremy Jones from Broughton
Played Dame, Baron and the Baddies in Buckley Panto for a number of years. Loved every moment of it! Miss the buzz of playing at the Elfed, but hope the tradition carries on at Hawkesbury for years to come.
Wed Jan 24 08:38:55 2007
Terry Wilcock from Buckingham
Yes folks it should be Buckingham! Sorry I forgot to send a response to Marion Catherall, how could anyone who saw your dad in full flow ever, for all the right reasons, forget him. We used to live next to you in Brunswick road and I could probably write a short book on my family's memories of your dad's pranks. Like dropping a tin tray behind the cat in your family's cafe, the customers enjoyed the spectacle, not so sure about the cat!
He was, in short, a wonderful and talented man, and my dad(Cyril, who now lives with us) and I often smile at some of the tales related to Dick and the pantomime. His ability to entertain was remarkable and should have been a star in the wider world. But Buckley was lucky enough to have him, and I know I speak for everyone that knew him that he will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Cheers
Terry Wilcock
Tue Oct 17 14:12:48 2006
Terry Wilcock from Buckungham
Can anyone explain why there are so few photographs of the pantomime? My mum worked with our dear friend and extremely talented the late Tom Dempster Jones and as a keen panto goer and participant with our skiffle group in the last ever show were aware that many shots were taken for a number of years. Happy days when the word community meant just that. Brilliant and warm Buckley folk. never to be forgotten.
Fri Oct 13 11:37:44 2006
John Butler from Hawarden (& before that - Shotton)
To a child, the panto was make-believe magic - and in glorious, real-life colour! It was at this panto that I discovered the power of humour and how a single person with a gift for "telling the tale", could have an enthralled audience eating out of his hand. The character -"Buttons" I think it was, was letting the whole auditorium into the deprivations and secrets of post-war austerity. "My uncle works for the coal board" he said in a stage whisper that could have been heard in Gronant. "He's the one that paints the stones black!" Wonderful times!
Mon May 8 10:51:10 2006
bryn connah London&Prestayn
The Jones and Lloyd families were great stalwarts of the Buckley theatre club panto,s of the 60,s & 70,s. Many hours of hard work were put in by Donald Jones the producer and his family.Harold ,Roy & Peter were the backstage genuises and Don,s Mum and Aunt ,with their team produced most of the costumes.Ken Lloyd,s "dame" was brilliant.Thanks to them and the rest of the team for some very enjoyable times I had both as a minor performer ,with parts such as Giant Crunchbones and as a spectator. What about a reunion?.
Thu Apr 6 16:14:48 2006
Marion Roberts (Nee Catherall
My dad was Dick Catherall and I was in the panto with him I would be pleased to here from anyone that knows me,
Fri Jan 13 19:40:39 2006
Peter Shone in Buckley
Alison Spencer, that's where you are, Singapore, hope you're well. My mother was a member of the Buckley panto in the 1950s, Gwynedd Shone (Peggy). Married to my loverly little dad Ronald Shone. Sadly both passed away.
Mon Nov 28 20:06:32 2005
Michelle Davies, Buckley
My Nan Lena Griffiths played the piano for the pantomines and I still have her music with notes on saying which actor was entering and leaving the stage etc. She married George Sides and later had a daughter Patricia and lived in Taylors Row. I remember being dressed in a bear's outfit and pushed on the stage to sing when I was 5 with my ballet class which used to be held upstairs in a building that's now a house on Mold Road. Only memories now but good ones.
Thu Nov 24 13:40:58 2005
Stewart, Caergwrle
I have fond memories of the panto both at the Parish Rooms Lane End and the Tiv. It always seemed to be deep snow and cold but very exciting to crunch our way there. I can remember the panto cat running up and down the aisle and my Uncle Bryn was once the giant. Ken Lloyd was a cracking dame and made us kids howl with laughter. I think Jen Robinson played Snow White. It's a few years since I went to any panto but Buckley ranked with the best.
Sun Nov 20 23:57:46 2005
Debbie, Wrexham (sister to Steve Inverness)
I was part of the Buckley panto from the age of 4 to 12 when sadly i left the area. now in my thirties i am due to re enter panto with Wrexham Panto playing the queen in cinderella. Great times where had - fond memories
Thu Sep 29 18:51:03 2005
Rosalind nee Jones from Sydney Aust.
I have many memories of going to the Buckley Panto as a child and about 1963 or 64 I played the part of Jane and I think Michael Lamb played Jack. We had to carry a mirror around the stage for the ugly queen and I was teased that I would have to kiss Jack. (I was a bit shy when it came to boys then)I also had to dance in the chorus as a fish and a devil. The casting manager must have been desperate as I have two left feet. The panto was staged in the Bistre Parish rooms at the Lane End.
One thing I have always remembered from a Tivoli panto was one character asking directions and was told to pass a church then a pub (about 10 in all) all the way from Lane End to the Pren Hill. I wonder if they all exist today.
Those were the days!
Thu Jun 30 10:59:35 2005
Ida Hughes.
I was born in Buckley in 1948. My surname was Christiano.We lived in a house in 'the Trap' which was said to have had bomb damage, 85 Ewloe Place.
My parents and I moved to the house next door to the Tivoli in 1956, Iremember the pantomimes well,the coaches,the people, I look back now with very fond memories. I moved to Wrexham in 1998, but I go to visit family very often. I am proud to be a 'Buckley Brick'
Tue May 10 19:56:49 2005
Alan Robinson
I went to a panto at the Tiv in the early 1960's where I saw my cousin Jennifer Robinson on the stage - does anyone recall that show
Fri Apr 22 19:23:38 2005
Kara Crease Wrexham
as a member of Hawarden Players i am proud to say that we help with the panto tradition. As a group we have been taking part in our own pantos over the last three years. We have been holding the at the Hawkesbury little Theatre. we hope to add to this tradition for many years to come
Wed Apr 13 14:51:08 2005
Emma, Connah's Quay
I have danced in Buckley panto about 4 times, and once was even one of the dwarves in Snow White! It was great fun!
Fri Feb 25 11:46:02 2005
Steve, Inverness
I played Buttons in 1975 with the two Ken (Davies and Lloyd) as dame and lead comic. Should have been Dick Whittington's Cat in 1976 but left to join the Army. Good luck to all still involved with the Buckley Panto.
Thu Feb 24 21:42:10 2005
Lil, Buckley
I've been helping out at the Buckley panto with my mates (we all go to the youth group) and it's proper mint!!!! I luv da school bit! lol, and da bear. The youth groups proper mint now we've got good teachers.
Fri Dec 10 17:32:24 2004
Alison Spencer from Singapore ex Buckley
My sister was in the panto from the age of 4 to 18 and my formative years were spent watching her. I still love panto today and get very irritated if the directors of a panto forget the formula. For example, here in Singapore, the finale had carols and the cast wore the clothes they'd worn all through the performance. A panto in Cardiff didn't have a finale at all. Dennis Griffiths would never have stood for it.
I was also lucky in that Richard (Dick) Catherall was a family friend. Even as a child I used to howl with laughter when he visited. We once went on a bus trip and whilst everyone was having a drink in a pub (or cafe?) he put on a dog collar (vicar's collar)and 'rounded up his flock". All the other customers were taken in and couldn't understand why our bus load were crying with laughter. Great memories.
Mon Nov 15 09:38:52 2004
Jezabella, Buckley
I like going to Hawksbury Youth Theatre on a Thursday but it is rarely on - so it should be on more.
Thu May 27 12:51:45 2004
Hukleberry
I agree with Burt, it is good when its on. BIG UP THE HAWKESBURY MASSIVE!
Thu May 27 12:44:41 2004
Delila
I agree
Thu May 27 12:43:26 2004
Burt
I go to Buckley Youth Theatre on a Thursday. It is good fun when it is on.
Mon May 24 15:39:05 2004
Carla from Buckley
I played the part of Jack (one of the babes) in Babes in the Wood. I can't remember what year but along time ago. I also danced in Buckley Panto for a few years. Elsber School of Theatre Dance still provide the dancers for the panto.
Tue Mar 23 14:50:00 2004
Gareth from Mynydd Isa
I have just played the king in the 2003 Buckley Panto 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves'. It was an amazing experiance and I hope to get a part in next year's panto.
Sun Dec 7 21:36:53 2003
Richard from London
I played Buttons in Cinderella, way back in 1990 (I think). What fun! The Buckley Theatre Club are a great bunch of people and still manage to pull in the audiences!
Wed Oct 29 14:03:23 2003
Rachel, Buckley
I have danced in Buckley Panto in 1997, 1998 and 2002 and it was a lot of fun.
Fri Sep 19 08:56:49 2003
Jeff from Buckley
Further to existing reports on Buckley Panto, the original group have their own 'Hawkesbury Little Theatre' and are known now as Buckley Theatre club. The panto tradition continues in our own little theatre.
Fri Sep 19 08:56:20 2003
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