British Music Hall Society

Cherishing the jewels of the past and actively  supporting the interests of the future
www.britishmusichallsociety.com

So reads the slogan of the British Music Hall Society and I do hope this website echoes those fine words in our efforts here. I am a proud member of the society – do join and support it too! Most of my childhood and youth was with the experience of my family touring the grand old Variety theatres of Moss and Stole and some of the wonderful playbills of those days I have placed on this website thanks to the searches done for me by the society. If you have such a wonderful old playbill do contact the society and, of course, our webpages would also welcome its inclusion.

 

The past days of weekly Variety was a fabulous era. Hundreds of acts touring week after week. The great stars of the past would fill theatres. Later the same stars and acts would appear upon the rising television in Variety shows like Sunday Night at the London Palladium. By some the old Music Hall and then Variety stage was deemed a bit ‘low brow’ but not by the millions of people who supported great talent and productions. ‘Variety’ still shrives in various forms in nightclubs summers shows pantomimes and cruise liners. Circus speciality acts are still a strong part. ‘Variety’ means a grand mixture of music dance and special acts.

Our Sandow productions have toured local authority managed Civic venues for over 40 years continuing that wonderful era prior. We thank everyone involved for keeping Variety alive this way after the demise of the great old theatres put the public still want live entertainment – the arts and the culture – so, local authorities, do try and keep the venues open.