The Casino Dance Hall and later
The popular forerunner of several discothèques or nightclubs in the same building-
these included: The Showboat, Tiffany’s, Nutz, Stud’s, Howard’s and Bentley’s.
these included: The Showboat, Tiffany’s, Nutz, Stud’s, Howard’s and Bentley’s.
Later it was: Cafe Play by Night and after the lockdown, has reopened as CU Mumbles, Nightclub and Venue
The Casino Dance Hall and later
Following The Casino Dance Hall, it became a well-known venue under a succession of different names, these included The Showboat, Tiffany’s, Nutz, Stud’s, Howard’s and Bentley’s.
Later it was: Cafe Play by Night and after the lockdown, has reopened as CU Mumbles, Nightclub and Venue
Bands that played at the venue during this period included Motorhead, Slade, Whitesnake, Mungo Jerry, Pan’s People, Sailor, Van der Graaf Generator and Suzi Quatro.
The venue has literary connections with it mentioned in Dylan Thomas’s short story Old Garbo (although he re-named it The Regal) as well as Kingsley Amis’s short story, Age Old Ceremony at Mumbles.
An event at The Casino, Mumbles, with The Manhattans Dance Band.
Casino Mumbles about 1960. At the Edward Newton Dance School Annual Dance.
Murray Davies above and his best friend Mickey in front, with Nina Newtonin the fron row, second from the right.
Photo Murray Davies from The Swansea History Society
The Manhattans Dance Band at The Casino, Mumbles, 1952, Photo researched by : Robert Dickie Rhodes
A 3M Dance at The Casino Dance Hall, Mumbles, 1960.
Photo: Patricia Williams, nèe Vaughan, who is named in the photo below, along with other friends and colleagues.
Please, can you name any other dancers at this event?
Opened in 1926 as the Regent Cinema, Mumbles, by 1940, it became the HQ of C’ Company, of 12th Battalion, Home Guard. More: Home Guard collection >
The Casino Dancehall / Ballroom, was opened after end of the war and I remember being taken there soon after, by my mother when she had afternoon tea. The advert shows that it was also a Pleasure Centre, with 'Amusment Machines and Bingo.'
Bands that played at the venue over the years are…
David Coverdale, Bethnal, Racing cars, Jenny Haan’s Lion, Heavy Metal Kids, Pleasers, The Enid, Van der Graf Generator, Strider, Pat Travers, Stray, Steve Gibbons, Alkatraz, Nutz, Osibisa, Motorhead, Jim Capaldi, Mungo Jerry, Trapeze, Jasper Carrott, Pan’s People, Sad Café, Metal Ticket, Slade, Suzi quatro, Chi Lites, Real Thing, George McCrae, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, Blaster Bates, Fantastic, Faded glory, Supercharge, Strawbs, Crawler, Sassafras, Budgie, Frankie Miller
It’s latest incarnation is
Café Play by Night
# PARTY HIRE # CHARITY HIRE # CINEMA # COMEDY # MUSIC
Based at the old Bentley's Night Club in Castleton Walk Arcade, Café Play by Night is a late night bar which aims to be the cultural hub of Mumbles, with popular 'Comedy Nights.'
In September 2022 the venue has reopened as -
CU Mumbles
Nightclub and Venue
Nightclub and Venue
"Cu Mumbles is a stunning and unique evening to late-night entertainment venue, which is fully licensed and where you can enjoy a night out with something different happening every week."
Acknowledgments
Grafton Maggs for the history of the local DV and Home Guard
We’ve included some information from Cafe Play by Night,
If you have any pictures, details or memories from that period, we’d be delighted to hear from you >
A modern view of Newton Road, Mumbles
Regent Cinema - Casino Dance Hall - Bently's Nightclub and more . . .
now Castleton Walk Arcade, 2012.
The Regent Cinema
The building which later held the Casino, was opened as the Regent Cinema in July 1927
The Regent Cinema, situated in Newton Road, Oystermouth, is Mumbles’ latest and best. Opened in July 1927, [The photo below was taken before the cinema opened to the public]. this cinema has always advanced with the times and the best pictures produced have been shown at this rendezvous.
Built regardless of expense for the comfort of its patrons, with the finest machine installed for the projection of pictures, it has been more than proved by the support it has received since its opening. It is clear that a cinema was needed for the population of Mumbles and district.
The interior of the Regent Cinema, July 1927
Not content with only giving the best of ‘silent’ films to their patrons, the Regent has recently installed PERFECT talking films, the first of its kind in Swansea and district, which are continually drawing crowded houses.
Indeed, it is with difficulty, that one is certain of ones seat on Thursdays and Saturdays. To those who wish to see a first-class programme, it is strongly advised to attend early at the box office, which opens at 5-45.
A re-arranged expensive programme has been obtained for the benefit of the VISITORS this weekend, including one of the ‘silent’ film stars well known to all cinema fans.
In ‘Foreign Legion,’ a tale of sex, soldiers, passion and strife, we have our old favourites Norman Kerry, Lewis Stone, June Marlow and Mary Nolan. The supporting film is ‘Powder my Back’ with Irene Rich.
Have you yet heard a Real Talking Film? For tonight the Regent are putting on such favourites as Ernie Lotinga in a sketch ‘Doing His Duty’; Billy Merson in ‘Desdemona’; Teddy Brown the famous xylophonist and his band with Josephine Earle in selections from her repertoire.
Ernie Lotinga (1876–1951) was a British comedian and film actor. Lotinga became known for the Josser series of comedy film in which he starred during the 1930s. [Wikipedia]
Acknowledgements
Mumbles A to Z Saturday, June 8th 1929, Published by The Bart Cronin Advertising Agency, Ltd. West Cross, Swansea.
Wikipedia:
Ernie Lotinga (1876–1951) was a British comedian and film actor. Lotinga became known for the Josser series of comedy film in which he starred during the 1930s.
Cinemas and Entertainment Halls Tivoli Cinema