Theatre sells off stage costumes

Shoppers have been snapping up bargains at the City Varieties

Shoppers are treading the boards of a theatre in Leeds as it sells off some of its costumes, props and bits of scenery ahead of a refurbishment.

Leeds City Varieties theatre will close in January for 18 months as a £9.2m refurbishment gets under way.

Manager Peter Sandeman said the venue was going to become a building site so they had to have a clear out.

A spokeswoman said: "We've had some people going out with strange costumes and gift items."

Some of the more bizarre items which have been used in the theatre have now exceeded their usefulness and have been put up for sale.

Some just want memorabilia which they can cherish City Varieties staff member

They inlcude a green shark and crab silhouettes that react to ultra violet light which had featured in a pantomime.

A staff member said people had been buying the most unusual things.

"We've had people going out of here with some strange costumes and some gift items.

"Some just want memorabilia which they can cherish."

The music hall on Swan Street dates from 1865, when Leeds entrepreneur Charles Thornton sought to capitalise on the success of the White Swan public house by adding a large room for performers.

Famous names to tread the boards have included Lily Langtree, Houdini, Bud Flanagan, Marie Lloyd, Leeds' own Frankie Vaughan and, before achieving Hollywood fame, Charlie Chaplin.

During the refurbishment some restoration work will be carried out in the auditorium, stage and backstage facilities will be improved and extra toilets added.