THE ALHAMBRA theatre has been the home of pantomime for many years and still is. It Opened in 1914 and was the brainchild of theatre impresario Francis Laidler who later became known as the King of Pantomime and made the Bradford theatre famous throughout the country.
Laidler started the charming tradition of junior dance troupe the Sunbeams for Robin Hood in 1917 at the Prince's Theatre in Little Horton Lane. In 1930, the Sunbeams came to the Alhambra, when Laidler switched his pantos to the venue.
This story is from the Telegraph & Argus, November 11, 1939, just over two months after the start of the Second World War:
'Pantomime producers have had an anxious time since the beginning of September, for they have not been certain what would happen between then and Christmas. Now that the position has been clarified somewhat it is full steam ahead and some intensive training is being put in.
That is certainly the case in Bradford, where Francis Laidler is busy on his bunch of five pantomimes which will bring his total up to 152.
One of his difficulties has been the question of Sunbeams and though these were chosen as usual, a couple of months ago, there has been doubt as to whether it would be possible to use them, and as a result their training has been delayed, while the intention of their featuring in the London pantomime has been abandoned.
It is three weeks since the children for the other pantomimes began rehearsing in earnest, under Miss Eileen Rogan and on Tuesday pressmen were invited to see how they have progressed.
The fact that the Bradford schools have been partially closed has allowed for training during the daytime and full advantage has been taken of this, with the result that they are all now practically perfect. Their precision of movement was certainly a revelation to those pressmen from a distance with little knowledge of the traditions of the Bradford Sunbeams.
The children are made up in teams of 14 each. They are all dressed alike in red and white check gingham, white hair ribbons, with either red or white belts and white socks. There is healthy rivalry between the different teams, the Leeds troupe having already christened themselves the Glamour Girls.
The girls are all from within a short radius of Bradford theatreland, but within this area falls part of Shipley, where schools are carrying on as usual. For this reason the Shipley girls have all been drafted into one team, and different rehearsal times have had to be arranged for them. But, such is their enthusiasm, that they are not behind their Bradford colleagues.
The first of the pantomimes to be produced will be ‘Mother Goose’ at Bradford Alhambra, on Thursday December 21, with Albert Modley and Dawson in the leading roles. Margaret Morgan stars as Colin, Pauline Lewis is Jill, Darroll Richards the well-known baritone as Demont, Richard Milner as King of Gooseland - a part which, in particular, he has made his own - and a good supporting company of artists new to Bradford.'
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