Exhibition lifts the lid on Grand Theatre's history

The curtain has gone up on a new exhibition celebrating the history of Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre.

The display, at the Molineux Hotel, which houses Wolverhampton City Council's Archives and Local Studies service, includes a range of fascinating artefacts that tell the story of the 116-year-old theatre.

The exhibition was officially opened by panto legend Christopher Biggins currently appearing as Widow Twankey in Aladdin at the Grand Theatre and new council leader Councillor Roger Lawrence.

Click on the image on the right to start the picture gallery.

Watched by a crowd of around 30 people Biggins removed a red cloth to reveal one of the display cabinets and declared the exhibition officially open.

"It gives me great pleasure to whip this off," he said.

"It's a great honour to play the Grand Theatre, In pantomime terms it is considered one of the dates to play.

"Every night you go out to that wonderful theatre you feel you can touch the Upper Circle. I'm thrilled to be here."

Among the objects on show at the exhibition will be opera glasses from the Grand's opening night in December 1894, when the theatre put on the Gilbert and Sullivan opera Utopia, Limited.

There are also Wolverhampton Opera Company programmes from the 1920s and 30s, a theatre scrapbook and even make-up dating from the 1950s.

Other artefacts include a handbill for the Sherlock Holmes story The Strange Case of Miss Faulkner dating from 1903, which lists a certain 'Charles Chaplin' in the minor role of Billy, while visitors can also watch the Grand Theatre Memories A Celebration of the Grand and Its People video presentation.

Jan James, Wolverhampton City Council's community archives and outreach officer, said: "We are really excited about this new exhibition and are delighted to be working in partnership with the Grand Theatre to showcase some fascinating items from both our collections.

"The Archives and Local Studies Service is all about unlocking the stories of the people of Wolverhampton, and in the last year it has demonstrated its versatility, displaying the history of local workhouses to the story of Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.

"This new exhibition will shed light on the fascinating history of one of the city's most popular attractions and we hope it will also encourage people to take in a show at the Grand."

The exhibition will be on display until Thursday, March 31 and admission is free. For details call 01902 552480 or email archives@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Aladdin runs at the Grand Theatre until Sunday January 30, 2011. Tickets are priced £11.50-£23.50 with concessions available. They can be booked on 01902 429212 or online at www.grandtheatre.co.uk