George Birch established Rockhampton's first moving picture venue in December 1908 with his British Bioscope Company. Under this banner he presented regular weekly entertainments at the Theatre Royal for just over five years except when the theatre was otherwise booked (from September 1910 the shows operated in opposition to Birch and Carroll's other Rockhampton venue, Earls Court). Birch also sent the company his shows to other regional centres. The Rockhampton programmes were accompanied by an orchestra (led by Harry Carter) and often featured local or professional vaudevillians as 'between-films' entertainment.
During times when the Theatre Royal was unavailable Birch either sent the company to nearby towns or leased local halls like the School of Arts or the Royal Rink. Among the towns played by his Touring British Bioscope Company were: Mt Morgan, Mt Chalmers, Gracemere, Yeppoon, Baree, Emu Park, Blackall, Jericho, Barcaldine, and Longreach.
Among the best-known Australian-based performers to appear with the company were Johnny Gilmore, Kate Howarde, Elton Black, Denis Carney, Maud Fanning, Arthur Elliott, Sam Gale and Sadie, Leonard Nelson, Frank Herberte, Eddie and Decima McLean, and George Jones and Ettie Williams, Delavale and Gilbert, Carrie Moore, Jack Cosgrove, Lily Vockler, Ernest Pitcher, Carlton Max, and Corrie and Baker. A number of international stars were also booked for British Bioscope shows, including Wong Toy Sun.
The demise of the British Biograph Company was likely due to Birch and Carroll opening the Olympia Air-Dome Theatre on 17 November 1913. After 15 November management stopped advertising the Theatre Royal shows. The The Morning Bulletin carries a number or pars, however, which indicate that the company was still operating there until early January 1914. Birch and Carroll appear to have transferred their vaudeville acts across to the Olympia from early December 1913.
