Free Spirit Writers
The Waterloo Pierrots were probably the first such troupe to entertain visitors in the north of
England, and certainly in Bridlington. They were definitely among the
holidaymakers’ favourites and were usually to be found on the north side of
the harbour. From 1893 they appeared in various venues in the town: the
Summer Gardens, The New Spa and on the beach near Children’s Corner. They
also took over a tin-roofed wooden building in 1909 at Beaconsfield, near
Trinity Church on Flamborough Road. Mr Charles Beanland (Charlie or, to use
his stage name, “Sammy,” pictured in the local newspaper, right) formed the
group. It is said that Charlie kept all his costumes at the Waterloo Cafe
owned by Jack Grantham, and it was there they dressed for their shows. It
was from the cafe’s name that Charlie took the name for his troupe of
pierrots. The first troupe comprised Charlie Beanland, his brother Joe
(known as “Johanna”), Fred Carey, H. B. Coda and Charles Danton, and other
members came and went during their twenty-one years of performing. Music was
provided by a harp and a fiddle. In 1914 the members of the troupe went
their separate ways.
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Waterloo Pierrots, Bridlington, 1912 |
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Waterloo Pierrots, Bridlington, 1913 |
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Waterloo Pierrots, Bridlington, 1912 |
Mike
Wilson