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Geoffrey Wheeler visits vaudeville houses in Britain

Palace of Laughter

The Palace of Laughter: Series 1: Manchester Playhouse

Manchester Playhouse

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Palace of Laughter, Series 1, Manchester Playhouse

Geoffrey Wheeler tells the story of the Manchester Playhouse and the Hulme Hippodrome.

Geoffrey Wheeler's story of the venue and the neighbouring Hulme Hippodrome. With Morecambe and Wise and Ken Dodd. From April 2002.

Geoffrey Wheeler revisits the scene of the Manchester Playhouse. 

Built back-to-back with the Hulme Hippodrome, itself a famous northern Variety venue, the Playhouse was host to some of the BBC's best-loved comedy and Variety programmes from the 1940s to the 1970s.

Ken Dodd, Sandy Powell, Harry Worth and Bill Waddington are among those featured in this nostalgic trip through the BBC's archives. 

Series featuring Variety theatres from all over the United Kingdom.

Producer: Libby Cross

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in April 2002.

The Palace of Laughter: Series 1

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

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