Look back: Memories of Alhambra Theatre Sunbeams

Introduced in 1917 as a “ray of sunshine”, the junior dance troupe took to the stage during the First World War, raising morale.

Today Sunbeams from the Sara Packham Theatre School in Keighley are continuing the tradition, appearing in Pinocchio at the Alhambra alongside panto legend Billy Pearce as Geppetto, Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne as the evil Stromboli and drag star Courtney Act as the Blue Faerie. Sophie Marie Talbot, a former Sunbeam who went on to train at Renaissance Arts Conservatoire in Leeds, now teaches at Sara Packham Theatre School and is in the Pinocchio ensemble.

It was Francis Laidler, founder of the Alhambra in 2014, who established the Sunbeams. The theatre impresario delivered annual pantos in his Bradford venues, and theatres in Leeds, Keighley, Manchester, Bristol and London. Sunbeams first appeared at the Prince’s Theatre in Bradford, which Laidler was running. The panto was Robin Hood, starring Lily Vine, Winnie Goodwin, Fred Walmsley, May Sherrard and Adrian Ross.

Laidler toured his Sunbeam troupes into Theatre Royal Leeds, then, in 1930/31, the Sunbeams came to the Alhambra. Back then they were all girls with matching haircuts. Recruited locally, they added high spirits to the pantos. Laidler selected them from open auditions; each girl had to meet height criteria and be “in perfect health, with evidence of six months regular school attendance”.

Francis Laidler selected the Sunbeams from open auditions (Image: Image submitted)

Recalling her time as a Sunbeam in 1936, Minnie Baxter said: “I’m sure everyone will remember the advert that used to be in the Telegraph & Argus every year early September: Sunbeams wanted, must be over 12 years, under 4 ft 3 inches. Girls only. A man was at the stage door with a measure, so that did eliminate quite a few.”

The Sunbeams had matching haircuts and had to meet strict height criteria (Image: Newsquest)

Those Sunbeams who performed in venues outside Bradford lived in a boarding house with an ‘Aunty’ or house mother to look after them. Parents were allowed visits on Sundays. The girls had a private teacher and their work went back to their school when they returned home. During term-time, Sunbeams appeared in one week-day matinee, as well as the Saturday one. A weekly wage was paid into each girl’s Post Office savings account. Mrs Baxter recalled they were given “clothing (a uniform of sorts) including a green outdoor coat with cap to match, a Sunday dress, school clothes and a red check cotton rehearsal dress.”

In 2012 former Sunbeam Jane Wood contacted the T&A from New Zealand, where she’d emigrated to. When she visited Bradford, we arranged for her to watch the Alhambra panto and meet the Sunbeams performing that year.

Mrs Wood recalled queueing for hours to audition, aged 12, in the 1920s. She said Laidler ran a tight ship: “We were well cared for but he wouldn’t stand for any nonsense. There was no talking in the wings, and we had to be out of the theatre by 10pm. We had our hair cut the same length. Mr Laidler measured me for my costumes. My favourite was a headdress made of feathers and a pair of trousers with one leg shorter than the other.”

Maureen Dinsdale was a Sunbeam in 1959/60 panto Jack and the Beanstalk, the Alhambra’s longest-running panto which ran through to March - its star, Ken Dodd, threw Easter eggs out to the audience.

Maureen recalls: “My Sunbeam experience was amazing, I loved every minute. The first night on stage with Ken Dodd, we Sunbeams were very nervous but he made us feel at ease. He was always cheerful and funny. For me it was a happy time I will never forget.”

Ken Dodd with the Sunbeams in 1959 panto Jack and the Beanstalk (Image: Image submitted)

Pauline McHugh, also a Sunbeam in that panto, says: “I always called him Uncle Ken until the day he passed. He was a lovely man with a big heart. I saw him when he came to Bradford and was always greeted with his big smile.”

Adds Pauline’s daughter Trudie: “I met Ken on many occasions with my mother, his nickname for her was ‘Little Pauline’, he always greeted her with this name and a hug when we visited him backstage. He was such a lovely man. My mother was very ill in intensive care a few years ago, I wrote to Ken to inform him, he wrote back wishing her well and sent a video of A Night with Ken Dodd. He was one of the best.”

Fellow Sunbeam Dianne Brewster says: “Doddy sent tins of Quality Street up to our dressing-room. It was tough to get in the Sunbeams as not many of us had been to dance schools, but Mr Laidler believed in giving local kids a chance. If you could sing, dance and work hard you stood a chance. It was a great time. I’m very proud to have been a Sunbeam.”

Sunbeams with popular 1940s actress Joy Beattie (Image: Newsquest)

Sophie Marie says performing at the Alhambra is “a dream come true”. She adds: “I’ve been watching shows here since I was young. Being back for my third Crossroads pantomime is such a privilege. As a Sunbeam in Aladdin in 2013/14, I admired the ensemble dancers and dreamed of being like them one day. Now, being part of the ensemble feels so special. I’ve loved every panto I’ve done here, but a standout memory is the giant gorilla in Aladdin. The Sunbeams work so hard on stage and off. Working with the students from Sara Packham Theatre School is a joy. They’re respectful, talented and a credit to the school.”

Pinocchio is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind Alhambra pantomimes for more than 20 years. The show is directed by Ed Curtis, in his 13th Alhambra panto. Groundbreaking special effects are created by The Twins FX who’ve been delivering visual treats to Alhambra audiences for the past nine years.

* For more about the Alhambra’s history visit bradford-theatres.co.uk/history-of-the-alhambra-theatre

* Pinocchio runs until Sunday, January 19. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk