THE WORLD-famous City Varieties Music Hall this month turned 155 years old.

The theatre in the centre of Leeds is a Guinness World Record holder for the longest-running music hall in the UK.

On a day that should be marked with great occasion, the doors to Leeds oldest theatre remained firmly closed on June 7 as a result of coronavirus .

This is the first time in its long and colourful history that the venue has ceased operation, other than than in 2009-2011 when it underwent a £9 million restoration.

Regarded by many as one of the finest comedy and music venues in Britain, due to its intimate atmosphere and ‘brutally honest’ audience, The Varieties began life in 1865 as the ‘New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge’.

This was a room above a pub established by business entrepreneur, Charles Thornton, for the working people of Leeds to be entertained; its affluent sister venue, Leeds Grand Theatre, was meant only for the higher classes.

A popular saying at the time was: ‘wear your flat cap to The Varieties and your top hat to The Grand’.

In its early years the Varieties welcomed many weird and wonderful acts, including the world-renowned escapologist Harry Houdini, singer, comedian and actress Marie Lloyd, and Victorian music hall beauty Lily Langtree – for whom it is rumoured Prince Edward would sneak into a private box to watch and court.

Over the years, The Varieties became known for quality entertainment, attracting stars of the highest calibre. It is probably best known for hosting the BBC’s The Good Old Days from 1953 to 1983.

First broadcast on July 20, 1953, The Good Old Days recreated old-time music hall entertainment - with audiences encouraged to dress in Victorian garb.

Produced by Barney Colehan, it featured Leonard Sachs as the alliterative Chairman and many well- and lesser-known performers, including Les Dawson, Barbara Windsor, Bruce Forsyth, Danny La Rue, Ken Dodd and Barry Cryer.

Albeit untelevised, The Good Old Days still runs today, and the original series has recently enjoyed a re-run on BBC4.

In 2009, The Varieties benefitted from a £9million regeneration project, largely funded by Leeds City Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Reopening in 2011 - Ken Dodd being the last act to perform before closure, and the first act to perform on reopening - the restoration project undertook a considerable amount of work

This included demolition and reconstruction of the backstage areas, ceiling and plasterwork repairs (inspired by a 1900 design discovered during the restoration), new carpeting and seating throughout the auditorium, and the fitting of an external glass lift to greatly improve access to the building.

Chris Blythe chief executive officer of the theatre, said: “The Varieties is a Leeds, if not a national institution. A hidden gem with a warm Yorkshire welcome.

“Whilst we’re all working towards and looking forward to the day that we can reopen our doors and welcome our audiences back, we must face facts, venues like ours will be the last to open.

“Our income generation will be limited potentially months after other parts of the economy start to grow. The whole industry will need to take stock as investors and producers of our wonderful shows have also taken a massive hit.

“We will have to continue to operate with appropriate safety measure in place.”

Throughout closure, The Varieties is asking patrons (if financially viable) for donations that will help support the Company throughout the financially difficult period. Visit cityvarieties.co.uk.