The List

Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

The Britannia Music Hall (The Panopticon) in Trongate, Glasgow, Scotland is the oldest surviving music hall in the world. Built in 1857 by Thomas Gildard and HM McFarlane, it has hosted some of the biggest names on the Music hall circuit. In 1906 Stan Laurel made his first stage appearance there on amateur night. In that same year A E Pickard bought the building and changed its name to the Panopticon. He also undertook some major works, installing a freak show, a roof top carnival and a waxworks. He also excavated the basement and installed an indoor zoo. The Panopticon was one of the first buildings in Glasgow become powered by electricity and one of the first cinemas in Scotland. It closed in 1938 when it was sold to a tailors and converted to a workshop. It is currently being conserved by a trust who regularly perform traditional shows in the auditorium. It is now protected as a category A listed building.

What's On @ Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Adult Panto 2025 : Dick In Mcwhittington
ADULT PANTO IS BACK FOR 2025 Come and experience all your usual panto frolics with added naughtiness and meet poor Dick his loyal feline and find out if with the help of Fairy Baw-hum he can win the heart of Gallus Alice , Defeat the The Rat - Pack and find out what causes the streets to be showered in 'gold' STRICTLY OVER 18 ONLY. Contains strong language, nudity , flashing lights and a couple of bangs. Doors 6:30pm Show Starts at 7pm Additional Tickets and VIP available from here [http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/drag]
Paranormal Scotland Ltd Investigate the Britannia Panopticon Music Hall
The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall, Roll up, roll up and join Paranormal Scotland Ltd as we immerse ourselves in the world of entertainment and show business at the world-famous Britannia Panopticon music hall. Situated on Glasgow’s historic Trongate, this music hall sprang to life in 1857 during a period of rapid population growth and overcrowding in the city, creating a demand for entertainment venues. Music halls were a popular form of entertainment among the working classes during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Initially, these venues were back rooms behind pubs, but the Britannia Panopticon is unique as it is located on the floor above! It could accommodate over 1500 visitors, who were eager to be entertained and let off steam while watching a variety of acts, including singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, animal acts, and novelty acts. The audiences back then were not as forgiving as they are today. If your act was not enjoyed then you ran the risk of having a myriad of items launched at you including rotten fruit and veg, fish heads and guts, nuts and bolts from the nearby shipyards and even being urinated on from the gallery above. The Britannia Panopticon assisted in launching the careers of many performers, one of the most recognisable is Stan laurel of laurel and hardy. In the year 1906, A.E. Pickard, an eccentric showman, expanded the entertainment offerings at his establishment to include a carnival, freak show, waxworks, and a zoo. Visitors were able to catch a glimpse of the Himalayan Bear in the basement or the Tattooed Lady in the attic. The Britannia Panopticon stands today as a testament to those bygone days of working-class entertainment. Today, the Britannia Ponopticon is still bustling with a variety of performances entertaining audiences. Although it is not only the living that are among the audience. The Britannia Panopticon is as active with paranormal activity as it is with entertainment acts. The ghostly spectral figure of a man has been seen on the balcony watching the acts perform, especially the acts that involve young pretty women. There is even a resident chimpanzee called Solomon that enjoys picking the pockets of unsuspecting visitors. Phantom music has been heard and disembodied footsteps heard traversing the floorboards throughout. The word panopticon means to see all so come with Paranormal Scotland Ltd as we take our curtain call to see all that the Britannia Panoptican has to offer from beyond the veil. THE EVENT Join Paranormal Scotland Ltd as you investigate the whole building carrying out many activities to try and communicate with any spirits that may wander the building. Seances Use of paranormal investigation equipment Experiments Table tipping Search for Paranormal Phenomena Vigils Free complimentary gift upon completion of the investigation. Free souvenir photo Refreshments included And much more
Adult Panto : A-Lad-In After Dark - Summer 2025
Join us this Summer for another Adults only pantomine from the team behind Jack Off the Beanstalk , Shattered Rosebud and Gagging for a Ball . All the fun of traditional panto but with added naughty bits Join Auntie Effie as she reprises the role of Widow Twankey that gained her the title of ' One of Scotland's finest panto Dames' Full casting to be announced
The Laurel Awards - First Heat

The Laurel Awards - First Heat

30 May 2025 - 30 May 2025

The Laurel Awards ! A new competition for comedians to showcase their best 5 minutes. The competition will run over 3 heats and will culminate with a grand final at the Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow, on the stage where a young Stan Laurel made his debut. Please note that all comedians must be at least 16 years of age before the date of the first heat on the 30th of May 2025 All competitors must be available for all of the following dates: First heat - 30th of May 2025 Second heat 6th of June 2025 Third heat 13th of June 2025 Final 11th of July 2025 All three heats and the final will be held at Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow.
The Laurel Awards - Heat 2

The Laurel Awards - Heat 2

6 Jun 2025 - 6 Jun 2025

The Laurel Awards ! A new competition for comedians to showcase their best 5 minutes. The competition will run over 3 heats and will culminate with a grand final at the Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow, on the stage where a young Stan Laurel made his debut. Please note that all comedians must be at least 16 years of age before the date of the first heat on the 30th of May 2025 All competitors must be available for all of the following dates: First heat - 30th of May 2025 Second heat 6th of June 2025 Third heat 13th of June 2025 Final 11th of July 2025 All three heats and the final will be held at Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow.
The Laurel Awards - Heat 3

The Laurel Awards - Heat 3

13 Jun 2025 - 13 Jun 2025

The Laurel Awards ! A new competition for comedians to showcase their best 5 minutes. The competition will run over 3 heats and will culminate with a grand final at the Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow, on the stage where a young Stan Laurel made his debut. Please note that all comedians must be at least 16 years of age before the date of the first heat on the 30th of May 2025 All competitors must be available for all of the following dates: First heat - 30th of May 2025 Second heat 6th of June 2025 Third heat 13th of June 2025 Final 11th of July 2025 All three heats and the final will be held at Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow.
The Laurel Awards - The Grand Final

The Laurel Awards - The Grand Final

11 Jul 2025 - 11 Jul 2025

The Laurel Awards ! A new competition for comedians to showcase their best 5 minutes. The competition will run over 3 heats and will culminate with a grand final at the Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow, on the stage where a young Stan Laurel made his debut. Please note that all comedians must be at least 16 years of age before the date of the first heat on the 30th of May 2025 All competitors must be available for all of the following dates: First heat - 30th of May 2025 Second heat 6th of June 2025 Third heat 13th of June 2025 Final 11th of July 2025 All three heats and the final will be held at Britannia Panopticon in Glasgow.
Step Right Up

Step Right Up

23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Step Right Up for a night of laughs, titters and guffaws galore as Paul Puppet introduces some of the most hilarious acts of the Scottish variety, cabaret & burlesque stage. Featuring: Rory M. Spence Steem Puddin' and Clootie Dumplin' Lisette the Dutchess Gabriel Featherstone Lexi Crockford And more! A Glasgow International Comedy Festival event.

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