Glasgow Empire Audiences Heard It First

     Variety-goers at the legendary Empire Theatre in Glasgow were the first in the world to hear and give applause to the popular and well-known song “  I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside.”  Mark Sheridan, the singer and comedian , who hailed from the north-east of England, sang it in 1909, that was the year he played the Empire on three occasions - in March, August and December. It was during his March visit that he introduced the song. A review from The Era, from his march week, reads : “ At the head of affairs here ( G;Glasgow ) is the inimitable Sheridan, who never fails to make his ‘ mark ‘ . He has this week increased his popularity by his seaside song and smart patter.”

Chorus Favourite

     That “ seaside song” was none other than “ I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside.” By October Mark had recorded it in London for the Ariel catalogue, and by the beginning of the pantomime season it had become" the biggest comedy chorus song in Glasgow", evoking" plaudits loud and long".

     Such was its popularity that many pantomime Principal Boys applied to the publishers, Feldman & Co., for " permissions and band parts. "  Inevitably, " I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside" became a smash hit, and Feldman & Co., earned a small fortune from it.  Interestingly, it also sent mark Sheridan's career into the Music Hall stratosphere!  He was now a star.

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