The Good Old Days

It is a few years since we last travelled to Leeds for a performance of The Good Old Days. First staged at the City Varieties Theatre in 1953, the famous show recreates the authentic atmosphere of the Victorian-Edwardian Music Hall with songs and sketches of the era in the style of the original artistes. Among the Show’s regular stars were Roy Hudd, Ken Dodd, Barbara Windsor, Danny La Rue, Hilda Baker and Arthur Askey. The Good Old Days ran for 30 years on BBC Television with the flamboyant Leonard Sachs as Chairman. Leeds City Varieties is a rare and splendid example of a Victorian music hall and it was here that a young Charlie Chaplin trod the boards in a clog dancing troupe.

The Midland Hotel

The 3-star Midland Hotel is an historic, Victorian former railway hotel, built in the late 1800s in the centre of Bradford. The grand building has spacious public areas and retains many original characterful features including an impressive staircase and an entrance to the old railway platform. The traditional ‘Spirit of Bradford’ bar has a hand painted frieze depicting the city centre and including Laurel and Hardy who stayed at the hotel whilst starring at the Alhambra theatre. Bedrooms vary in shape and size and are reached by a lift, although there are steps and small flights of stairs in the wide corridors.