🎭 There'll Never Be Another. Post-war Britain: Max Miller, skiffle, rock & roll, and packed music halls. Then - silence. Dr Leo Bird explores the rise and fall of British variety theatre 1945–60. 📅 Tue 21 April | 7pm 📍 The Club for Acts & Actors🎟️ buff.ly/ndqjTCP #LiveComedy #VarietyTheatre

#MusicHallMonday - Who has been enjoying the repeats of the Good Old Days showing on Saturday Evening's on BBC4? It has been a real treat over the last few weeks to see the diverse range of performers and speciality acts. You can also catch up via @bbciplayer #MusicHall

Today we have Song Sheet Sunday for one week only and Flanagan and Allen with 'Down Forget Me Not Lane', a sweet and nostalgic springtime favourite released in 1932, today also marks Chesney Allen's 132nd birthday born in Battersea, London on this day in 1894. #MusicHall #Variety #SongSheet

We appreciate the support of our Patron, Simon Callow CBE for the activities of Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre. #LoveYourLocalTheatre

Not forgetting that today is #musichallmonday 🎭 An article published last week on @archiveshub about our fascinating archive - enjoy! #MusicHall #Archives buff.ly/LwsfsZU

Yvonne Arnaud was the star of the production of The Improper Duchess, opening in Streatham on 28th March 1932. Many of the cast went on to repeat their roles in the 1936 film version.

William Sugden's Big Mill in Leek has burned. The Society is relieved to hear that no one was hurt, our thoughts are with evacuated families from nearby. This is such a significant building locally. It is Grade II listed, an important example of large-scale building for the silk industry,(1860).

Zooming into a Sangers Circus telescoping tableau wagon photo to show Britannia enthroned with a lion and a lamb at her feet. Early 1900s.

I love this autograph in my collection. Betty Balfour #BOTD probably 1902, possibly '03. Big star of the silent film era. Fav film is 'Squibs' 1935. Also 'My Old Ditch' 1934. #MusicHall @musichallsociety.bsky.social

#SongSheetSaturday 🎶 "He's Going to Marry Mary Ann!" — a music hall gem from 1885, composed by Joseph Tabrar and sung by the irrepressible Miss Bessie Bellwood. Bellwood made her debut in 1876 and was beloved by audiences for her saucy, quick-witted stage manner. #MusicHall #archive

Women of Lambeth Cemetery. Sunday 29 March, 11am. Just a couple of place left on my guided walk to hear of some incredible worm in this lesser known south London cemetery. From artists and activists to women of war, fraudsters and entertainers. womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

Happy #WorldTheatreDay ❤️ Today we join our theatre friends around the world to celebrate the magic of live theatre. From historic theatres to found performance spaces, pop up venues to pub theatres, we’re here to help to protect theatres of all forms. Image: Bethnal Green Working Men's Club

Blue Plaque Guidelines https://britishmusichallsociety.com/event/blue-plaque-guidelines

Happy #ShakespeareWeek 🎭️ Today marks the start of Shakespeare Week, an annual celebration organised by @shakespearebtrust.bsky.social To celebrate, we’re sharing a snapshot from behind the scenes at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. #Shakespeare #Theatre #RSC 📸: Ian Grundy

It's #MusicHallMonday! 🎩 Here's a gem from our archive — the hat of Max Miller, "The Cheeky Chappie" and one of Britain's best-loved music hall comedians. Photographed by the renowned Andy Hollingworth #Archive #MusicHall

For those interested in the history of theatre, music hall & circus, my latest blog on the Compton dynasty is now available online at bit.ly/4ug0kgl @youngalison.bsky.social @musichallsociety.bsky.social @theatrestrust.bsky.social @theatreresearch.bsky.social @bho.bsky.social @roadsw9.bsky.social

Women of Lambeth Cemetery Sunday 29 March Join me on a walk to hear about some fascinating women. From artists and entertainers to women of war, fraudsters and campaigners. The blossom is lovely at this time of year too. womenoflambethcemetery.eventbrite.co.uk

#SongSheetSaturday 🎶 Wot Cher! Knock'd 'em in the Old Kent Road (1891) Born #OTD in 1861, Albert Chevalier was the self-styled "coster laureate" of #music hall and this gloriously daft cockney singalong about a man who inherits a donkey and cart is one of his most enduring hits

3rd British Music Hall Society Conference - November 2026 https://britishmusichallsociety.com/event/3rd-british-music-hall-society-conference-november-2026

Nice Ian Dury link 😃

Bonar Colleano was #BOTD in 1924. That's a reason to be cheerful.

🌼 #SongSheetSaturday — the daffodils are out, the sun's made a brief but welcome appearance, and spring is attempting to get going. 'Put A Little Springtime (In The Winter Of Their Lives)' — Bud Flanagan & Teddie Knox, sung by Flanagan & Allen, a hit in 1933 and recorded by the BBC Dance Orchestra.

Setting up for our ‘archive on show’ afternoon… #womenshistorymonth #musichall

🎶 #MusicHallMonday From the BMHS Archive - now on display at Showtown in Blackpool - this small brown case once belonged to music hall legend Florrie Forde. Born Flora Flannagan in Melbourne, she arrived in London in 1897 & quickly became a star, famed as “The World’s Greatest Chorus Singer.”

New post! The first of two on ancient Aptera, the supposed location of the singing contest between the Sirens and Muses. The archaeological area is renowned for its cisterns and theater. www.roamintheempire.com/index.php/20... #RomanSiteSaturday #Archaeology #RomanArchaeology #AncientBlueSky 🏺

#OtD 8 Mar 1926 the largely female members of the Fur & Leather Workers' Union went on strike in New York City, enduring beatings by police. They won a 10% raise and a five-day week. Learn more about women's struggles throughout history: shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/...

Happy #InternationalWomensDay To celebrate we're shining a spotlight on the Barn Theatre in Kent, opened by theatre-maker Edith Craig who campaigned for women's rights throughout her life. Credit: "Thatched Barn Theatre - geograph.org.uk - 1276161" by JThomas is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Our thanks to Catherine Russell for her support for #StreathamHillTheatre. #LoveYourLocalTheatre

John Gielgud featured in the production of The Good Companions which opened in Streatham on 7th March 1932.

#SongSheetSaturday – For the First Time (I've Fallen in Love) (1943), words by Charles Tobias, music by David Kapp. Brought to life by the incomparable Leslie 'Hutch' Hutchinson - a 1930s cabaret star who reinvented himself for the variety stage during WWII.

Thanks to Sir Mark Rylance for his support for #StreathamHillTheatre! #LoveYourLocalTheatre

The review One Over The Eight opened on 6th March 1961, boasting a brilliantly funny cast performing sketches by brilliantly funny writers! The show returned to SHT in May 1962 with Kenneth Connor replacing Kenneth Williams.

We've contributed to Historic England's blog with a piece on England's oldest theatres 🎭 A question to which there isn't an easy answer, but hopefully sparks some discussion - and highlights some amazing buildings along the way 🏛️ heritagecalling.com/2026/03/05/t...

Musical comedy The Boy Friend opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 2nd March 1958.

It's Monday, it's Music Hall! 🎭 #MusicHallMonday The legendary boots of Little Tich — whose Big-Boot Dance influenced everyone from Chaplin to Tati — are on loan from our #archive to Blackpool's Showtown Museum. Go and see them!

Lucan & McShane - better known as Old Mother Riley and her daughter, Kitty - brought their show to Streatham on 1st March 1943.

🔥 #SongSheetSaturday 🔥 "Jeremiah, Blow the Fire," from 1877, was performed by GH MacDermott. This cheeky tune gained popularity in music halls for its "doubtful character." Consider these chorus lines: 'Jeremiah, blow the fire, puff, puff, puff, First you do it gently, then you come it rather rough'

One week to go before the first of these webinars. Still time to book your free place www.theatrestrust.org.uk/latest/event...

To mark Women's History Month, we're opening our doors for a hands-on afternoon with our archive. Explore original posters, programmes, costumes, scrapbooks & more — with a special focus on women in music hall & variety. 📅 Thursday 12th March | 🕐 2–4pm | 📍 Lambeth Archives

After a successful run at The Globe, the comedy Canaries Sometimes Sing opened at Streatham Hill Theatre on 24th February 1930.  This production is credited as the breakthrough role that launched the career of Yvonne Arnaud.

🌟 Our President's Lunch is on Sunday 22 March 2026. Join BMHS President Su Pollard for a three-course lunch, a glass of bubbly on arrival 🥂, and an afternoon with special guests Jeffrey Holland (her Hi-De-Hi! co-star!), panto pal Jamie Leahey & a mystery guest TBA! 🎭

🏰 #SongSheetSaturday 🏰 "It's a Bit of a Ruin that Cromwell Knocked About a Bit" (1921) Performed by the incomparable Marie Lloyd, Queen of the Music Hall who brought this witty number to life, poking fun at England's crumbling historical sites with her trademark cheeky charm #MusicHall

The play Waiting In The Wings, set in a charity home for retired actresses, opened in Streatham on 20th February 1961. This programme is signed by Dame Sybil Thorndike and her co-star (and husband) Lewis Casson.

Last November, I gave a talk at The London Archives' Symposium on Music Hall, covering a tragic 'unrideable mule' incident that began on-stage at the Clapham Grand in 1906, now adapted as a blog post here 👇️ musichallalice.wordpress.com/2026/02/18/a...

This week's theme was London Couples 💘 Hope you enjoyed it! Take a look over the timeline for full details of these and the rest of the featured pieces.

Thrilled to have found a new photo of the Marvellous Craggs, from 1885 when the family was touring America with Haverly’s Minstrels.

The Friends of Streatham Hill Theatre wish you a very happy Valentine's Day!

💕 #SongSheetSaturday meets Valentine's Day! 💕 "Lovetime (Any Old Time Will Do)" (1908), sung by George Lashwood with words by Harry Castling & music by Fred Godfrey. Forget fancy restaurants & overpriced roses - according to this Edwardian charmer, when it comes to romance, any old time will do!

A BIG thank you to everyone who helped make Slapstick Festival 2026 a huge success! We really appreciate our special guest speakers, musicians, partners, patrons, volunteers, the venues, and all the team behind the scenes who organised these events. 📸 David Betteridge Photography

For LGBTQ+ History Month we're highlighting George Williams (1910-1995) whose archive of scrapbooks & unpublished autobiography is held by the BMHS. After early success, George was imprisoned for homosexuality in 1952 but resumed his career in the 60s. buff.ly/xee50mu