British Music Hall Society
@musichallsociety.bsky.social
📤 252
📥 247
📝 153
Become a member via our website www.britishmusichallsociety.com Registered charity no. 1128961
Happy New Year from the British Music Hall Society. Thank you for all the support you gave us in 2025 - here's to 2026. Check out what we have on offer on our website
britishmusichallsociety.com
#MusicHall
#Variety
#History
#Archive
about 4 hours ago
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In the month that The Great Vance took his final bow in 1888 on the stage of the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge, here is his 'Beautiful Nell' for
#songsheetsaturday
by Stacey Lee & R Coote with lithography by Alfred Concanen
#MusicHall
5 days ago
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We've made incredible progress with our Archive this year. Since uploading our first collection in April 2025, we now have over 2,000 catalogue records on Archives Hub (link below). Check out our entries to explore the collection.
#MusicHall
#archive
#history
archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/locat...
10 days ago
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British Music Hall Society
Rick Blackman
12 days ago
Dan Leno
#BOTD
1860. Massive star of music hall in his day. The panto 'Mother Goose' was written for him!
@musichallsociety.bsky.social
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Pre-Christmas
#songsheetsaturday
: 'Ting-a-ling Ting-Tay' by Harry Dacre, sung by Harriet Vernon. A Spanish street musician ('quite the finest and divinest') is courted by a 'gentleman'—until her husband appears. Her only reply? 'Ting-a-ling-a-ling' 💔
#musichall
12 days ago
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The celebrated
#panto
patter song - The Shopwalker - a sketch by the one & only Dan Leno who was born
#OTD
1860. Composed by George Le Brunn with lyrics by Walter de Freece (later Mr Vesta Tilley) depicting a humorous take on a department store assistant
#songsheetsaturday
#musichall
#walkthisway
19 days ago
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British Music Hall Society
Theatres Trust
20 days ago
Happy
#PantoDay
from Theatres Trust 🎭 Pantos are so important to UK theatres The panto is where most of us get our first introduction to the wonders of theatre And the income from pantos support theatres' work through the rest of the year
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Today is
#pantoday
👏 👏 👏 Music Hall has a long association with this genre and we have a number of interesting pantomime collections in our
#archive
including a significant recent donation connected to Dorothy Ward who played in over 40 pantomimes from 1905-1957 including costumes, merch and photos.
20 days ago
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Harry Rickards, 'King of Australian vaudeville', was born in December 1843. For
#SongSheetSaturday
: his 1887 song 'That's What the Country Wants to Know' composed by Elsie Phillis (female songwriter - info anyone?) with words by FV St Clair, pub. Hopwood & Crew. Find it in our archive
#MusicHall
26 days ago
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This documentary was written by Ray Mackender, one of the co-founders of our Society
#MusicHall
#BMHS
add a skeleton here at some point
27 days ago
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British Music Hall Society
Slapstick Festival
about 1 month ago
We've just released more stalls tickets for the Silent Comedy Gala! Join
@stephenmangan.bsky.social
,
#RickWakeman
+ more at Bristol Beacon on Fri 6 Feb for great cinema, live music and lots of laughs 😂 Tickets below 👇
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Today, Jack Stanford, 'the greatest eccentric dancer of the day,' will be commemorated with a Blue Plaque at his Mallinson Road home, Battersea. Here's a 1932 showcard from our archive featuring him in a 'non-stop variety' bill at the London Pavilion. Look him up on YouTube to see his incredible act
about 1 month ago
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Vesta Victoria was born November 1873, for
#songsheetsaturday
here's her 1897 hit written by Fred Murray & Laurence Barclay. 'Our Lodger's Such a Nice Young Man'. He's such a good, goody young man, Mamma told me so, 'he kissed Mamma and all of us, cos Papa was away.'
about 1 month ago
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Annie Adams was born in November 1843 in Newport, Isle of Wight. For
#songsheetsaturday
here's her c. 1868 hit song, 'Popsy Wopsy!' One of the first successful female Music Hall performers, 'The Queen of Serio-Comic Vocalists.'
about 2 months ago
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We have very few tickets left for our final 'In the Limelight' evening of 2025 - a talk by Mark Llewellin, 'Les & Roy, Cissie & Ada'. If you want to come, book soon to grab those last tickets 🎟️ Book HERE:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
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https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusichallsociety/les-roy-cissie-ada-a-talk-presented-by-mark-llewellin/e-vxeoeb
about 2 months ago
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British Music Hall Society
Alan Russell
about 2 months ago
The Varieties (Variety Theatre or Harwood’s Hall) in Pitfield Street, Hoxton, a short distance from Shoreditch church, was built in 1869 behind the White Horse pub. It was designed by the leading theatre architect, C. J. Phipps, who probably devoted more attention to the pub facade t
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The Magic Lantern Society
about 2 months ago
A charming donkey taking a drink during a
#magiclantern
show interval. Note the bird - Victorians couldn't resist a pun...
#mottoslidemonday
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British Music Hall Society
Charlie Holland
about 2 months ago
Delighted to pick up The Hanlon Volta Waltzes, 1885 sheet music composed by Charles Seaton who had a stall at Crystal Palace where the five strong aerial troupe performed.
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Prolific
#MusicHall
songwriter Joseph Tabrar was born in November 1857 - for
#songsheetsaturday
here is one of his offerings from 1897, sung by Harry Randall - 'Poor Pa Paid'. Ma enjoys music hall outings and occasionally ends up in a 'tea fight', resulting in a Police Court fine...paid by Pa.
about 2 months ago
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We were delighted to support the excellent Music Hall Showcase & Symposium on Saturday at
@thelondonarchives.bsky.social
. The full day featured diverse talks, engaging conversations, and the opportunity to view music hall materials from TLA's collection, including a fascinating ILEA film from 1974.
about 2 months ago
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One of Blackpool's finest - Victoria Monks - was born
#OTD
1882 . For
#songsheetsaturday
here is her 1908 hit song by EW Rogers and J Charles Moore. ‘Call round any old time and make yourself at home, put your feet on the mantle shelf, open the cupboard and help yourself…’
#MusicHall
2 months ago
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In honour of
#BlackHistoryMonth
, today’s
#SongSheetSaturday
features Winifred Atwell’s ‘Flirtation Waltz’. 🎶 A household name of the 1950s, Atwell was born in Trinidad in 1914. Her Boogie-Woogie style captivated UK audiences — & she became the 1st Black artist to sell a million records ✨
2 months ago
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TOMORROW NIGHT - 'In the Limelight' - A History of Black Performers in Morecambe. We look forward to hearing Kirsty Roberts, talking about the Black performers who regularly graced the town's stages—artists like Adelaide Hall, Clayton 'Peg Leg' Bates, and Cassie Walmer. Book HERE
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2 months ago
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reposted by
British Music Hall Society
Sarah Elizabeth Cox
3 months ago
The Royal Albert Hall may not be a regular venue for sumo (omg I LOVE THE SUMO!), but it DOES have a long history as a venue for other wrestling. Here's the Umpire Getting Excited as Hackenschmidt and Jenkins get themselves into A Curious Position. July 1904, Penny Illustrated Paper (via BNA):
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Now ere's a funny thing, today's sheet music is for Max Miller's biggest hit 'Mary from the Dairy' , a song released in 1936 becoming his signature tune. Miller paid Sam Kern £4 for the number. This coming Tuesday 21st November would have been Miller's 132nd birthday.
#SongSheetSaturday
#MusicHall
3 months ago
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British Music Hall Society
Dr Rough, FSAScot
3 months ago
#MusicHall
research down in Lambeth today at the
@musichallsociety.bsky.social
archive.
#Dundee
posters, Hetty King’s shoes, Max Miller’s hat, and the trousers of G.H. Elliott!
#planning
#WatchThisSpace
@lambetharchives.bsky.social
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Fun & games in Brighton yesterday when we unveiled a replacement Blue Plaque for Max Miller. Jamie Kenna did the honours resplendent in Max jacket & hat…#MusicHall
3 months ago
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www.bbc.com/news/article...
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Brighton comedian Max Miller marked by new blue plaque
The plaque in Burlington Street will be the third memorial in the city to the music hall legend.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gz99kyn01o
3 months ago
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The blank space soon to be occupied by our new Blue Plaque 😂
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3 months ago
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Today's Song Sheet in honour of our blue plaque unveiling this coming Thursday in Brighton is the 'Max Miller Songbook' a compilation of hits of 'Cheeky Chappie' Miller. One of the biggest stars of his day who influenced many future turns and is fondly remembered in his hometown
#SongSheetSaturday
3 months ago
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If you're a BMHS member, your Autumn edition of The Call Boy is arriving soon! Not a member yet? Join now to get our quarterly journal and enjoy 16 months for the price of 12 with our current offer. 👉 Learn more HERE
britishmusichallsociety.com/join-us
3 months ago
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reposted by
British Music Hall Society
Diana Walkden
3 months ago
EUROPEAN ROUTE OF HISTORIC THEATRES - Sat 25 Oct 2025 2pm - FREE at V&A Lydia&ManfredGorvey LectureTheatreSW7 2RL Mark Fox explains the Route’s genesis (120 theatres across 30 countries) current status and future plans. Book in advance
www.ticketsource.co.uk
(search Frank Matcham Society)
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British Music Hall Society
The London Archives
3 months ago
Before cinema, there was Music Hall! 🎭 From pub backrooms to grand palaces of entertainment, it was the heart of London's cultural life. Uncover treasures from the golden age in our new free display, 'Spotlight on Music Hall'. Opens Oct 6!
www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exh...
#Archives
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We will be unveiling a
#BluePlaque
for
#MusicHall
and
#Variety
star Max Miller on Thursday 16th October at 2pm in Burlington Street, Brighton. All welcome!
#BrightonEvents
3 months ago
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Interested in entertainment past and present? Join the BMHS! Sign up from 1 Oct and get 16 months for the price of 12 🎭 Membership runs until 31 Jan 2027. ➡️ Join here:
britishmusichallsociety.com/join-us
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Join Us | British Music Hall Society
If you are interested in entertainment past and present, why not join our Society?
https://britishmusichallsociety.com/join-us
3 months ago
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This
#songsheetsaturday
marks the approx. birthdate of Miss Ella Shields (born Baltimore, Maryland in 1879). Here is her 1919 Darewski number by Huntley Trevor & John Neat - 'Where Did You Find the Lady?' All about Bertie Blandford's adventures at the seaside after his demobilisation
#MusicHall
3 months ago
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British Music Hall Society
The Stage
3 months ago
This week 60 years ago, we reported on the 10 productions – and the array of stars – that impresario Bernard Delfont was bringing to the West End 👇
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Bernard Delfont drives theatre boom – 60 years ago in The Stage
This week 60 years ago, we reported on the 10 productions – and the array of stars – that impresario Bernard Delfont was bringing to the West End
https://www.thestage.co.uk/obituaries--archive/archive/bernard-delfont-drives-theatre-boom-60-years-ago-in-the-stage?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1758811654
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Two fantastic
#BMHS
events this October! 🎭 📚 Archive on Show @ Lambeth Archives – Thu 9 Oct, 2pm 🎤 Kirsty Roberts Talk @ The Water Rats – Tue 21 Oct, 7pm (celebrating Black performers in Morecambe’s history) 📖 Book here:
britishmusichallsociety.com/events
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Events | British Music Hall Society
Our events are sociable affairs and open to everyone, come along and join us!
https://britishmusichallsociety.com/events
3 months ago
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British Music Hall Society
Rick Blackman
3 months ago
'The Prime Minister of Mirth' George Robey was
#BOTD
1869. A couple of places he lived at pictured, a flat in this block in Hove and the large white house with a green roof in Saltdean now an old folks home. His autograph is common but a goodun!
#ArchibaldCertainlyNot
!
@musichallsociety.bsky.social
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This week's
#songsheetsaturday
celebrates George Robey's birth
#OTD
1869 with a cover of 'If I Had a Baby Like You' from the 'Joy-Bells' revue performed in this show with Shirley Kellogg. Albert De Courville's 'Joy-Bells' debuted at the London Hippodrome in March 1919
#musichall
#revue
#archive
3 months ago
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archivetvmusings
4 months ago
The Bruce Forsyth Show (18th September 1966). Roy Castle and Bruce demonstrate their all-round entertainer skills.
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Loughborough Road Histories
4 months ago
Pleasure, thoroughly enjoyed it. Good to shine a bit of extra light on George Le Brunn’s music hall composing career, and his life in and around Brixton. Looking forward to more delving in BMHS archive in future too and not just Le Brunn’s song sheet collection
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Thank you to
@charlieholland.bsky.social
@roadsw9.bsky.social
@chrisabbott.bsky.social
@youngalison.bsky.social
Ally Wolf of the Clapham Grand and Christine Padwick for a fantastic series of lightning talks last night covering items in the BMHS Archive with a Lambeth connection
#MusicHall
#archives
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4 months ago
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Step into the origins of
#MusicHall
with this week’s
#SongSheetSaturday
. Discover ‘Rat Catcher’s Daughter’ by Sam Cowell, a standout at Charles Morton's famed Canterbury Music Hall in 1852. Despite earning up to £80 weekly, Cowell died penniless in 1864.
#MusicHistory
4 months ago
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Our very first 'archive on show' morning was such a success back in August that we are running it again, on the afternoon of Thursday 9 October 2025, 2pm at Lambeth Archives. Booking details here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
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4 months ago
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When Love Creeps in Your Heart is our tune for this week's
#SongsheetSaturday
. It was written by A.J. Mills and Bennett Scott, and sung by both Dorothy Ward & Evie Greene, We're sharing both versions here - it's surprising how similar they are.
4 months ago
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After the success of our first archive ‘on show’ morning we are running the event again - in the afternoon of Thursday 9 October, 2pm. Booking details here:
www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/16-...
4 months ago
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Our Archive page now features a guide to using the BMHS Archive and our Collections Policy for potential donations. We constantly update ARCHIVES HUB - you can explore more at:
britishmusichallsociety.com/archives
britishmusichallsociety.com/archives
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Archive | British Music Hall Society
Our archive is a unique resource documenting all aspects of the Music Hall world, not only artistes but also songwriters, venues, promoters, audiences and landladies.
https://britishmusichallsociety.com/archives
4 months ago
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To conclude our Florrie Forde month for
#songsheetsaturday
here’s ‘Florrie Forde’s Favourites,’ showcasing her extensive work. She performed in pantomime into the 1930s & appeared in the Royal Variety Performance in 1935 at age 60, having also participated in the first one in 1912
#MusicHall
4 months ago
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British Music Hall Society
Dr Naomi Paxton
4 months ago
A glimpse into the collections at The Magic Circle this afternoon 😃
#magic
#london
#thingstodoinlondon
#magictricks
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