6th March 2007
The black & white photo, which is from 1958, shows the Regal Cinema which was the Glasgow flagship of John Maxwell's Associated British Cinemas. It was built on the site of the Waldorf Palais dance hall in Sauchiehall Street, which had been the home of Hengler's Circus 1904-1927 (info courtesy of The Glasgow Story).
I don't think the current JD Wetherspoon pub of that name is on the same site, looking at the 1958 image I have my doubts, and the posting below seems to confirm that it's in fact at the opposite end of Sauchiehall Street! The history of the circus is reasonably interesting, and I have pinched the following from a posting on a bulletin board by a gentleman by the name of John Turner who seems very knowledgeable, so I hope he doesn't mind. John's posting is in reply to one from someone involved in converting the original building who asked:
"I am currently involved in converting the former Henglers Circus in Sauchiehall St, Glasgow into a live music venue.
I am trying to find out as much about the history of the building as possible, there are so many stories of shows with water tanks, even polar bears and elephants have been said to have performed there.....
I would love to find any old photographs, show posters etc to perhaps include in the decor of the interior. If anyone can point me in the right directions, it would be much appreciated"
To which John replied:
"Hengler's Grand Cirque Variete was in Glasgow from 1861. The first building was at 100 West Nile Street, the old Prince's Theatre Royal, which opened in 1862 until 1885. The next building, of brick and stone, was opened in 1867, at 79-85 Wellington Street. The third and last building was built by Albert Hengler (1862-1937), the son of the great Charles Hengler (1820-1887), at 32 Sauchiehall Street. This opened on 8th December 1904 and closed for the last time on 30th December 1924. There is a booklet 'Hengler's Circus; a history and celebration 1847-1924', by Sean McCarthy (Third Eye Centre, Glasgow, 1981) which you will find in your Central Mitchell Library. This library should have a collection of old circus playbills for you to search. I have photocopies of many of Hengler's circus playbills but often in poor condition. Albert Hengler wrote a series of articles for the Glasgow 'Sunday Post, in 1927, which you should find interesting. I am delighted that you are so interested in the history of your building, which I failed to locate a couple of years ago! Some of the original circus building brick work, on the exterior, was said to exist only a few years ago. When I approached Wetherspoon's about their Hengler's Circus pub in Glasgow a few years ago they didn't even respond to my letter. Apart form the name there is no trace of Hengler's in their pub as far as I could see! I would be happy to help you in any way I can to preserve the name of Hengler in Glasgow. The family of Albert Hengler lived there at one time. There are many stories to tell and illustrate, including the famous 'water spectacles' mentioned elsewhere on this website. All Hengler's circuses, in the 19th century and later, had stabling and other accommodation for animals."
As for the pub, normal JDW.
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