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Phase One - New Friarage Hall,
Walton Street
The first FA venue,
discovered/suggested by Robin Pike. As you know, Friars was turfed out
in July 1970 leading to a long nine month exile. The venue has since
been rebuilt but David Stopps, by luck, took these photos just as the
building was about to be demolished. Despite trying all avenues, we
have not been able to source any exterior/interior shots of the venue
when in use (performance at Friars pictures on this site excepted)
Photo: David Stopps
Pics of The Friarage Hall in 2010
Phase Two - Borough Assembly
Hall, Market Square
This venue goes back a long
way and was the hall where Ronnie Barker made his acting debut in 1948
and there is now a plaque there to commemorate his days in Rep when it
was still the Market Theatre. It became The Grosvenor and hosted many
top flight 1960s names. Friars used the venue twice in 1969 when it
was under council control and renamed The Borough Assembly Hall and
cheekily renamed the Friars Auditorium. The return in 1971 was full
time until the hall closed when the Civic Centre was completed.
Pics of
The Borough Assembly Hall in 2010
Photo: Geoff Tyrell
Photo: Mike O'Connor
Phase Three Maxwell Hall,
Market Square
Friars stepped up a gear in
September 1975 with the opening of the Civic Centre and the 1250
capacity Vale Hall (renamed to Maxwell Hall in 1977). Opportunities
that would never have happened did - the return of Bowie, Genesis, Ian
Hunter, Steve Harley, legendary Blondie, Clash, Ramones gigs and so
many more. The decision was taken to close the Civic and replace it
with the hugely controversial Waterside Theatre across the way. The
building was demolished in 2011.
A full gallery of the Civic
remembered in 2010
Photo: Mike O'Connor
Photo: Karl Vaughan
St Mary's Church,
Aylesbury
Stone Parish Church,
Stone, Aylesbury
Photo: Public domain
Queensway (Civic) Hall,
Dunstable
A never to be forgotten venue,
now an Asda supermarket. Friars presented Pink Floyd here in 1969.
Town Hall, Watford
Photo © Nigel Cox licenced for reuse under
Creative Commons Licence
Corn Exchange, Bedford
Photo - public domain
Town Hall, High Wycombe
British Legion Hall, Princes
Risborough
In Friars exile after Phase
One, the waters were tested for using this as a venue and only one
gig, Genesis, was presented after the local NIMBY campaign took hold.
Photo: Bucks Free Press
Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Venue used as part of Friars
promoted Atomic Rooster tour 1971 and also presented Tom Paxton
photo © Adrian Welch/e-architect
Guildhall, Plymouth
Venue used as part of Friars
promoted Atomic Rooster tour 1971
photo © The Devon Guide
Public Hall, Preston
Friars presented Incredible
String Band at this venue.
Photo below from demolition in
1990
photo © The Lancashire Evening Post
Guildhall, Southampton
Venue used as part of Friars
promoted Atomic Rooster tour 1971
photo - public domain
Albert Hall, Nottingham
Friars presented a Tom Paxton
gig at this venue.
Photo - Theatres Online
Town Hall, Middlesbrough
Venue used as part of Friars
promoted Atomic Rooster tour 1971
Photo © Mick Garratt licenced for reuse under
Creative Commons Licence
City Hall, Newcastle
Venue used as part of Friars
promoted Atomic Rooster tour 1971
Photo - public domain
Town Hall, Reading
Friars presented one Barclay
James Harvest concert here.
Photo - public domain
Town Hall, Birmingham
Friars presented one
Quintessence concert here.
Photo - public domain
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