Venue enjoyed by Doddy but where Beatles were booed turns 90

Anniversary celebrations have started marking the 90th birthday of the theatre where comedian Sir Ken Dodd road-tested his new gags and The Beatles were once booed onstage.

Owner Wyre Council is asking people to get in touch and share their most cherished memories of the Fleetwood Marine Hall as part of the celebrations to mark the milestone this year.

Last year, the council announced proposals to redevelop it to create a “more flexible, mixed-use space” with a restaurant, offices and event spaces alongside the popular theatre.

The council wants to hear people’s memories of events and occasions over the 90 years.

A council spokesman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We would love to hear from you – we are looking for your earliest memories, fond recollections or heartfelt stories relating to this beautiful iconic Fleetwood venue.”

One person who has fond memories of the venue is Lady Anne Dodd, widow of legendary funny man Sir Ken Dodd, who used to play the venue regularly on New Year’s Day.

“It was a lovely theatre and New Year’s Day was great fun – we used to have a party for the children from the stage school in Manchester who were our Diddymen,” Lady Anne told the BBC.

“Ken used to use to test two or three new jokes to see how they went down,” she added.

Dodd’s first Marine Hall show was New Year’s Day 1990, a few months after he was acquitted of income tax evasion.

There were roars of laughter early in his act when he said: “Good evening, my name is Kenneth Arthur Dodd, singer, photographic playboy and failed accountant – when income tax was introduced it was 2p in the pound, I thought it still was.”

Other Liverpudlians had less success. The Beatles were booed on stage in 1962 just before they exchanged their leather jackets for smart suits.

Many punters wanted to hear local bands, including The Trespassers and The Zeros – two years later, the Fab Four were the biggest band in the world.

There was much excitement when the amenity was first opened in 1935 by Lady Stanley, wife of Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, who had opened Blackpool’s Stanley Park nine years earlier.

Built in the fashionable ultra-modern Art Deco style, the new venue boasted a glass dome, a 1,000-seater concert hall, extensive sun-colonnades and manicured gardens.

It was hoped to attract high-profile concerts, ballet and music below its ornamental domed ceiling.

A string of famous names has performed at the venue, including celebrated BlackpoolTower Circus clown Charlie Cairoli and Fleetwood-born tenor Alfie Boe with events held there ranging from beer festivals to BBC TV’s Question Time.

It was also where Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher held her last election rally before the Tories’ landslide win in the 1983 General Election.