A listings card for Wakefield Theatre Club. A small landscape single fold pale pink card shown opened out. The cover has Wakefield Theatre Club Forthcoming Attractions in a psychedelic red font and the back shows upcoming shows in black text.

‘Great nights, fondly remembered’: Your memories of Wakefield Theatre Club

We asked for your memories of Wakefield Theatre Club, and you didn’t disappoint us. Lots of you got in touch on social media to share your recollections of the popular variety club. We loved hearing about your favourite acts and memorable nights out.

‘A fabulous place’

It’s clear the club was much loved by local people. Lots of you told us what a great night out it was!

‘Wakefield Theatre Club was a FABULOUS venue… a real jewel in the city’s crown at the time!’
‘We used to go as often as we could afford it.’
‘It felt so sophisticated to me then!’
‘THE BEST CLUB EVER IN WAKEFIELD. Great entertainment, good food, great atmosphere. Catering for all ages and tastes. Just the best.’
‘Such happy, halcyon days...gone now, but feel very privileged to have been a part of them.’

‘Happy memories’

Unsurprisingly, Wakefield Theatre Club seems to have been the place to go to celebrate rites of passage and special occasions with friends and family.

‘I went there to see Gilbert O’Sullivan in 1975 for my 18th birthday.’
‘I loved Wakefield Theatre Club and saw so many fabulous performances! Particularly memorable were The Three Degrees on my 18th birthday.’
‘I had my 21st at the Theatre Club - saw Jim Bowen, he was hilarious.’
‘Took my mother-in-law to see The Drifters for her birthday. She was so happy that day.’
‘One of our first dates was to Wakefield Theatre Club. I think he was trying to impress me. It must have worked - it's our 50th next year. We saw Dave Allen, who was brilliant and so unique.’

Colour photograph of the band, The Drifters. 8 men with dark hair in 1970s style haircuts are posing wearing different coloured shirts and cardigans.

Photograph of The Drifters, collected by Isabel Cheston, who worked at Wakefield Theatre Club

‘Something to never forget’

Lots of people told us about their memorable celebrity encounters with the star acts who performed at the club.

‘I sang with Lulu in the 1980s.’
‘Went to see the lovely Olivia Newton John and managed a signed photograph.’
‘My late dad danced with Olivia Newton John. She signed his album saying, "Thanks for the dance, Chris." It was before he met my late mum, she was always soooooo jealous of this.’
‘Sacha Distel chose me to dance with him on stage to “Dance in the Old Fashioned Way” and gave me a red rose.’

An old listings of forthcoming attractions for Wakefield Theatre Club, a single fold A5 leaflet with black printed text.

1970s Forthcoming Attractions leaflet for Wakefield Theatre Club, featuring an upcoming performance by Lulu

Autographed programme for a performance by Sacha Distel at Wakefield Theatre Club

‘I saw the original Drifters with lead singer, Johnny Moore. I had my latest album of theirs under the lamp on our table, and we always had the same seats, next to the stage, right hand side. Johnny saw it, and asked what my favourite number on it was, and I replied, “Dance with Me.” They sang it for me, and at the end, Johnny asked me up onto the stage, and they all signed my album cover.’
‘Sandie Shaw sat on my knee and had a sip of my beer. I was scared as I was only 16.’
‘Seeing the photo of Cilla Black reminded me of the time myself and fiancé treated my mam and dad to go see her. I wasn’t a big drinker really, but I did think Cilla looked gorgeous so as she came over to the side of stage near where we were, I went to ask her for a kiss. The bouncer came over to get me to sit down. Unbeknown to me it was Mal Kirk, the wrestler. He worked at the same pit as my dad. Told my dad to keep me under control. My mam was mortified, girlfriend wasn’t impressed either.’

Autographed photograph of Cilla Black from Wakefield Theatre Club

‘A great place to work’

Staff at the club were also rubbing shoulders with the stars and taking the opportunity to see the biggest names for free!

‘My dad used to work there in the 1970s. He was on the doors and used to chauffeur the stars about.’
‘We were allowed to stand at the back to watch Shirley Bassey, then back to work for when she had finished.’
‘I worked in the booking office and switchboard, 1969 to 1972. Never forget Sacha Distel asking me to call his wife for him and The New Seekers recording their TV series there. We used to sit and watch them while we had lunch prepared for us by Johnny the Chef. Happy days.’
‘I met quite a few stars when I worked there as a food waitress: Gene Pitney, Shirley Bassey, Johnny Ray, Paper Lace, Cannon & Ball, and loads more I’ve forgotten.’
‘I worked as a drinks waitress in 1971. Saw some amazing acts, my favourite was Blue Mink. Happy days, loved it.’
‘I was a drinks waitress there so saw loads of shows. Dave Allen was on one night - he wouldn’t come off stage. He got a waitress up and bought the whole of the resident band a drink!’

Black and white, portrait orientation publicity photo of pop group, Blue Mink, autographed in the top right corner.

Photograph of pop group, Blue Mink autographed by a band member

‘I still have my ticket’

You told us about a whole host of stars who performed at the club. This is just a flavour of the famous names you were lucky enough to see.

‘I saw the Jacksons there when Michael was just a little lad.’
‘Ella Fitzgerald on her last UK visit. Magic.’
‘Showaddywaddy had 'em dancing in the aisles.’
‘My favourite was Johnny Mathis and I still have my ticket for him.’
‘I went to see the New Seekers there in 1972. I was a huge fan of theirs at the time (confession, my parents sneaked me in - I was only 14 but looked older!)’
‘I also saw Buddy Rich twice, the greatest drummer ever in my eyes.’

Forthcoming Attractions card advertising a 'One Night Only' show by Buddy Rich and his orchestra

‘Gene Pitney. What a great showman he was. Went to see him every time he came.’
‘The Nolans on the front row’
‘I saw some brilliant performances there. However, the best one had to be Tina Turner.’
‘I saw Petula Clark there and she was wonderful. It was the first of 103 of her concerts I have attended.’
‘Cliff Richard, my heartthrob at the time.’
‘I saw the Hollies there on a work trip, absolutely brilliant night.’
‘Only went once, to see the Hollies, probably mid 1970s. Remember wearing a long black dress with a pink rose on it.’
‘Sarah Brightman and Hot Gossip around 1978. Memorable show!’
‘I worked at Clayton Hospital in kitchen in the early 70s and we were often given complimentary tickets: Roger Whittaker, Val Doonican, The New Seekers were also on there.’

A black and white, portrait orientation publicity photograph of Val Doonican with his guitar, autographed in blue ink on the bottom left corner.

Autographed photograph of Val Doonican, dedicated to Leonard Cheston

‘Matt Monro with my parents and The Sweet with the girls from work but many more too.’
‘Stevie Wonder was one of my favourites, he was amazing.’
‘I saw Stevie Wonder and he did two shows in one night.’