KINDLY LEAVE THE STAGE

THIS IS THE BLOG OF COLIN JONES, RHYL TOWN COUNCILLOR: BODFOR WARD
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The opinions expressed in this blog are entirely my own and not the views of the town council.
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In the 1890s on a cleared area of beach near High Street, a minstrel pitch was built with open stage and dressing rooms. Troupes of comedy & music entertainers rented it from the authorities for any number of seasons.

Shown above (TOP) are Gilbert Rogers’ Jovial Jesters. The Jovial Jesters took over the minstrel pitch in 1907 and were still there during First World War 1914-18 and in Rhyl at least until 1920.

The other troupe, E. H. Williams’ Merrie Men, are pictured about 1905. The boy seated in the middle of the front row is thought to be Jack Hylton (pictured below) who grew up to be a famous dance band leader in the 1920s and ‘30s:

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WED 26th AUG 2015 UPDATE: Here is a 1934 advert for Gunners shoe shop, 10 Wellington Road, where the florist Flower Tops is now, and a Sunday concert at Rhyl Pavilion by Jack Hylton fronting a downsized version of his orchestra:

Mr. Hylton had quite a career in music and later in TV. You can read more about him in Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Hylton

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