The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

The Britannia Music Hall (The Panopticon) in Trongate, Glasgow, Scotland is the oldest surviving music hall in the world.

About The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Built in 1857 by Thomas Gildard and H. M. McFarlane, it has hosted some of the biggest names on the Music hall circuit.

In 1906 Stan Laurel made his first stage appearance there on amateur night. In that same year A. E. Pickard bought the building and changed its name to the Panopticon. He also undertook some major works, installing a freak show, a roof top carnival and a waxworks. He also excavated the basement and installed an indoor zoo.

The Panopticon was one of the first buildings in Glasgow become powered by electricity and one of the first cinemas in Scotland. It closed in 1938 when it was sold to a tailors and converted to a workshop. It is currently being conserved by a trust who regularly perform traditional shows in the auditorium. It is now protected as a category A listed building.

Upcoming Events at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

The Panopticon Comedy Club

31st May 2019

Laugh til the tears run down your legs when Glasgow's finest comedians take to the stage at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall‎!

The Drag-Opticon Show

7th June 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

Laurel and Hardy Film Screening

19th June 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall's Laurel and Hardy Movie Night returns with a selection of classics!

Midsummer Méliès

23rd June 2019

The Britannia Panopticon are celebrating George Méliès, the pioneer of science fiction films, with an afternoon of movies on Sunday 23rd June!

The Panopticon Comedy Club

28th June 2019

Laugh til the tears run down your legs when Glasgow's finest comedians take to the stage at The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall‎!

The Big Gay Cabaret

29th June 2019

The Big Gay Cabaret is an incredible night of entertainment in aid of Pride Proms and the Britannia Panopticon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots!

Music Hall Memories

29th June 2019

Enjoy some old time music hall shows and get a taste of the entertainment of the day at The Britannia Panopticon!

The Drag-Opticon Show

5th July 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

Music Hall Memories

27th July 2019

Enjoy some old time music hall shows and get a taste of the entertainment of the day at The Britannia Panopticon!

The Drag-Opticon Show

2nd August 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

Laurel and Hardy Film Screening

7th August 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall's Laurel and Hardy Movie Night returns with a selection of classics!

Music Hall Memories

31st August 2019

Enjoy some old time music hall shows and get a taste of the entertainment of the day at The Britannia Panopticon!

The Drag-Opticon Show

6th September 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

Music Hall Memories

28th September 2019

Enjoy some old time music hall shows and get a taste of the entertainment of the day at The Britannia Panopticon!

Laurel and Hardy Film Screening

2nd October 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall's Laurel and Hardy Movie Night returns with a selection of classics!

The Drag-Opticon Show

4th October 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

The Drag-Opticon Show

1st November 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

The Drag-Opticon Show

6th December 2019

The Britannia Panopticon Music Hall are proud to present to you the best of the flourishing Glasgow drag scene with The Drag-Opticon Show!

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