British Music Hall Society
musichallsociety.bsky.social
British Music Hall Society
@musichallsociety.bsky.social
Become a member via our website www.britishmusichallsociety.com
Registered charity no. 1128961
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
December 6, 2025 at 8:30 AM
This documentary was written by Ray Mackender, one of the co-founders of our Society #MusicHall #BMHS
A loving documentary tribute to the days of British Music Hall.

🎭 A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU FANCY (1968) 5:45pm featuring #LilyMorris #MarkEden #BarryCryer #GusElen and many more in archival footage and live recreations.
December 5, 2025 at 10:45 AM
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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 👇
🥁 Announcing our host for the Silent Comedy Gala... @stephenmangan.bsky.social !

The actor and comedian joins us at Bristol Beacon on Friday 6th February 2026 19:30 for a packed evening of timeless comedy, live music, and vintage charm - tickets in below 👇

#stephenmangan #charliechaplin
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
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
November 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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.'
November 22, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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.'
November 15, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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...
www.ticketsource.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by British Music Hall Society
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
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Reposted by British Music Hall Society
A charming donkey taking a drink during a #magiclantern show interval. Note the bird - Victorians couldn't resist a pun... #mottoslidemonday
November 10, 2025 at 8:56 AM
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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.
November 9, 2025 at 4:24 PM
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.
November 8, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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.
November 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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
November 1, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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 ✨
October 25, 2025 at 8:40 AM
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
www.ticketsource.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Reposted by British Music Hall Society
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):
October 17, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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
October 18, 2025 at 8:30 AM
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#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
October 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
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
October 17, 2025 at 7:38 AM
The blank space soon to be occupied by our new Blue Plaque 😂
This was yesterday at Max Miller's former home in Burlington Street, Brighton. Old inaccurate plaque removed and due to be replaced this thursday 16th. I hope to attend, work commitments depending. #CheekyChappie #BritishMusicHallSociety @youngalison.bsky.social @musichallsociety.bsky.social
October 14, 2025 at 8:38 AM
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
October 11, 2025 at 9:01 AM
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
October 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
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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)
www.ticketsource.co.uk
October 4, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Reposted by British Music Hall Society
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
October 3, 2025 at 7:00 AM