The Alhambra - Bradford

It was built in 1914 and had been strictly theatre, pantomime, and the odd time in the 1950s, Nude Revue shows.  However, in the late 1950s entrepreneurs would hire the theatre for local Talent Contests.  One such took place in late 1959 with the attractive title ‘Spot the Stars’.

Similar to ‘Opportunity Knocks’, it offered many contestants a shortcut to 'stardom', or so it seemed. The usual contestants mingled and queued down Morley Street for the auditions of the local talent.  This would consist of male and female singers from Opera to Pop, and an assortment of magic acts, jugglers, dancers, and many ‘would-be’ comedians.  Over 100 people took part in these auditions. For many of Bradford’s local ‘rock n’ roll’ groups of the time including 'Dal Steven and the Blue Jays', it was an opportunity to perform at the Alhambra in front of a large crowd. Hopefully!

Each evening would have the local talent contesting each other culminating in a Grand Final on a Saturday night.  The prizes were £25 for the first prize, £15 for the second prize, and £10 for the third.  “Who was judging this remarkable local Talent contest? Someone famous, a Television celebrity, or a Movie star.  It was to be none of these. It was definitely like ‘Opportunity Knocks’ as the winners would be chosen by audience applause only.  This would mean inevitably that all the ‘would-be’ contestants could have friends and relations come along on each evening of their performance.  This of course would swell the box office receipts and bring financial success to the organisers, if not the contestants who were appearing free of charge! 

It turned out that almost all of the contestants got through especially our local pop groups of which we were one, for the Monday date. We had only been going a few weeks, however, we got through to the semi-finals on Thursday singing Cliff Richard's 'Move It'.  All this was down to the audience's applause, who were mostly the contestants' families, including mine and the other lad's relations. Suffice it to say 'We did not get through to the final.

It turned out, that two of the local groups in the final were the ‘Dingos’ and ‘Rhythm Rebels’ who were both well organized and very professional.  However, during the competition one contestant shone above all others; this was a young girl in her twelfth year who had a tremendous voice and talent.  Her name was Pauline Matthews.  In a packed house of ‘Spot The Stars’ Pauline Matthews (later Kiki Dee) was the winner!  ‘Rhythm Rebels were second and the third prize went to another of Bradford’s up-and-coming young female vocalists, ‘Josie McCann’.

65 years ago now, it was a long time ago queuing down Morley Street with our drums, and guitars, with three visits that week to the Alhambra including the audition. All part of another time, when it was all part of the scene which, in a way, we all enjoyed.