THEATRE ROYAL - NETHERGATE - 1960'S

There were 3 "Theatre Royal's" in Dundee.

The first 2 being 19th century affairs in the main, means they won't get a mention on Retro.

The 3rd one being active in the 60's, means it will get a mention.

The building itself (located in the Nethergate) was originally called the People's Palace and had gone through quite a few changes over the decades. However, in 1965, Scottish entertainer, Calum Kennedy, became the new owner and it was he who gave it the Theatre Royal name.

It was rather short-lived under this name mind you, the theatre closing down around 1970. Then in 1977 the building was destroyed by fire and so was eventually demolished.

The first ad above was published in the local press in November 1965 and is for well known entertainer, Norman Vaughan.

Remember he had the short "ooh!" catchphrase.

Second is dated February 1966 and is for a show by famous comedian, Tony Hancock.

It snowed when Tony was in Dundee and he said it was so cold he had to run from the dressing room to the stage to get some heat from the lights..!!

April 1966 is the date of the third ad and on that occasion, crooner, Frankie Vaughan, was the entertainment on offer.

The fourth ad was published in November 1969 when Billy Fury was the main attraction.

SEX PISTOLS v FRANKIE VAUGHAN - 1976

32 years ago today, Dundee had a choice of contrasting entertainment - and just a few steps away from each other.
On one corner of Marketgait it was The Sex Pistols.
On the other corner of Marketgait it was Frankie Vaughan.
Despite the obvious conflict of music styles on offer, they did cross paths at one point.
Pistol, Glen Matlock, has documented the time when The Sex Pistols booked into their Dundee hotel, and corny crooner Frankie, was in the same dining room as the punks at breakfast time.
There's also a local story has it that Johnny Rotten and co were seen trying to get into the Frankie Vaughan gig that very evening, but needless to say, never got passed the door!
The Sex Pistols gig took place at the Tech College Students Union (aka the Bowling Alley), and the Frankie Vaughan gig was at the Barracuda nightclub.
The guide at the top showing the Sex Pistols gig date was published in NME, however, it was printed 3 weeks too early on 22 September 1976.
That actual date of the gig was 12 October 1976.
There was no advert in the local press for the Pistols event that night, but Frankie's show was advertised locally on 12 October 1976 as his cabaret act was running for a few days that week.