Comments on: A boxer, a dancer, and a wrestler: SS Empire ghost signs

By: Justin Dyer

Justin Dyer — Mon, 02 May 2022 15:14:09 +0000

I have a photo of the sign from 1986 that I have just put up on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CdD2vNYj0_o/

By: Sue Burton (nee Johnson)

Sue Burton (nee Johnson) — Wed, 08 Jul 2020 11:59:29 +0000

My Mum and Nanna took me to watch the Wrestling on a Monday night (only during school hols!), and sometimes on a Saturday afternoon. I loved the atmosphere of everyone getting excited shouting at the wrestlers when they played ‘dirty’. We loved Les Kellet, The Royal Brothers, and not so much Mick McManus! In the interval they served chicken and stuffing sandwiches from one of the booths. This felt such a treat. I still have a photo of my Mum with Jackie Pallo on the ringside taken by Harry Gould (photographer at the Empire). Very strong memories.

By: Leaping lamb

Leaping lamb — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 11:41:00 +0000

When this place was known as the Empire music hall in the mid 1940’s ,I used to attend evening classes,in the college building next door,and our classroom adjacent to Cumberland St allowed us a view of the Empire back stage door,where we couls see,scantily clad chorus girls cooling off from their exertions.A very stimulating sight for us 18 year old lads,and led me to pop into their “GODS” seats after class,to view the shows,Saw Bruce Forsyth’s performance brilliant tap dancer,known as “the mighty atom” ,inspiring joining dance class and joining amateur J.R.Theatre group.Happy days,

By: Caroline Cole

Caroline Cole — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 10:38:52 +0000

I have just Googled SS Empire whilst writing about my father, Michael Ferrey, who was a cub reporter on the Evening Press in 1940. I have a scrapbook which includes his reviews of shows at the Empire, and has an interview he did with a Chines acrobatic dancer who had performed with his troupe at a private party for Hitler in Berlin in 1936. Lat Founs had found Hitler extremely courteous and interested in their career and “quite an ordinary sort of man”!

By: Ian Ramsden

Ian Ramsden — Tue, 10 May 2016 01:53:43 +0000

I remember going to the wrestling in the late 50’s early 60’s to see the great Les Kellett. Terrific night and we laughed our socks off as we knew it was (nearly) all staged. Of course the crowd were working class people out for a good time – which continued the Music hall tradition the Empire was famous for. It was truly live entertainment for the masses. What do we have now?
I only went to the Roller skating once as the floor area was really too small and crowded.

By: Bryan Pearson

Bryan Pearson — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 12:08:16 +0000

I remember going to the SS Empire in the mid-sixties – the original stage had been taken out and the floor was flat. A small stage had been constructed at the back of the stage area where the rock bands played. I was friends with one of the bands “Clive and the Krestas” who all sported very long hair at the time and I remember the looks of the patrons of the Coach and Horses pub when we all walked in during the interval! Another fond memory is that I had my first “pash” that night during the second half!