"Direct from 555 performances at the London Coliseum"

#SongSheetSaturday - Today we have 'The Girl in The Big Black Hat' written by singer, songwriter and pianist Richard Bagnall (1874-1925). This song was published by the firm Reynolds and Co in 1898. They operated as Publishers from 1889 to 1960 specialising mainly in Music Hall and Piano numbers.

On this day - 23rd October 1961

In 2009, Liverpool's largest producing theatre was in poor condition and in need of a major redevelopment. Find out how our advice and support helped shape Liverpool's Royal Court's £7.2m capital project www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/... 📸 Ian Grundy #Theatre #HistoricTheatre #ArtDeco

On this day - 23rd October 1939

There's still time to book a place on our October 'Archive on Show' afternoon tomorrow. We’re opening our doors for a relaxed afternoon exploring our collection, with a special look at travel in the world of music hall and variety. Book HERE - buff.ly/02MAsiX

Theatre Royal Margate is one of the oldest theatres in the UK still in theatre use. But, issues with operators and a need for investment in the theatre have meant it had to close. Find out what we're doing to help www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/... 📸 Ian Grundy

#SongSheetSaturday - The popular number 'I'm Afraid to Come Home in the Dark' written in 1907 by American songwriter Egbert Van Alstyne (1878-1951). This sheet music dedicates itself to artiste Hetty King (1883-1972) and it is likely she performed this while in America during the songs debut year.

We are sorry about the poor quality image - but, as well as Streatham, it does offer a great glimpse of some of the entertainment on offer in Wimbledon, Croydon, Brixton and Tooting.

A proposed £1bn cut to the government’s arts and culture budget by the Conservative Party would leave theatres and art galleries “at risk in every part of the country”, @campaignforthearts.org has warned. Read more 👇

Arts face ‘far deeper’ cuts under Tories than party claims, analysis warns

thestage.co.uk

Merton said it was important to "really cherish" such Victorian theatres, designed by renowned architect Frank Matcham. More on BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62l8lxl188go

The appropriately titled show 'Twenty Minutes South' came to Streatham on this day in 1957.

#SongSheetSaturday - 'After Dark' a comic song from another forgotten singer Sidney Barnes (1849-1889). He was billed as 'The Princess's Comique' or 'The Original Tommy Dodd'. In the year of this song 1869, he was appearing at the Bedford in Camden Town, Princess's Theatre and The Boro' Music Hall.

The fabulous Grade II listed Art Deco Beckenham Odeon could become an evangelical church. Read the story on the MyLondon site - https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/odeon-beckenham-confirms-final-day-34699428

Join us for our next In the Limelight talk: Alma Cogan, the Girl with the Laugh in Her Voice. Geoff Bowden marks 60 years since her early death, celebrating the 1950s hitmaker and glamorous star #musichall 📆 TUES 13 OCT 2026 7PM 🎟️ buff.ly/pLp3zz8

Now an iconic part of the city's streetscape, Belfast's Accidental Theatre first started out as a pop-up venue staging work across the city. Find out how we supported the theatre in securing a permanent new home www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/... 📸 Courtesy of Accidental Theatre

#MusicHallMonday - This month Monday's will look at some ghost stories from Theatres. The Sunderland Empire is up first where the ghost of actor Sid James (1913-1976), who died on stage there is said to have been seen including in 1989 when supposedly witnessed by the comedian Les Dawson! Spooky Eh?

#SongSheetSaturday - This week we have 'Harem Scarem' a song rendered by less recalled comic vocalist Arthur Combes (1865-1911). Combes made his professional debut as a singer in 1889. He appears to have had major success from 1890-1905 and was on the committee of the Music Hall Benevolent Fund.

It was a pleasure to welcome Paul Hendy to our archive last week. Paul is the writer & director of the fantastic @thelastlaughplay, which brings together Britain’s comedy greats Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe & Bob Monkhouse in a dressing room. Learn more about our archive: buff.ly/aA14jxy

Tonight 👇

British Music Hall Society@musichallsociety.bsky.social · 3mo ago

A talk about Ivy Benson, Britain's forgotten wartime bandleader, who broke new ground for female musicians in the 20th century. Join us at the CAA in Covent Garden on 22nd September. #musichallmonday

🎭 #MusicHallMonday 🎭 Born this month in 1869: George Robey, "The Prime Minister of Mirth" and a music-hall great. This self-portrait is one of hundreds he sketched; our archive holds many. His coat, hat and walking stick are on display at Blackpool's Showtown Museum

#SongSheetSaturday 🌟 "The Story of the Stars" (1897) Sung by Arthur Reece, words by Albert Hall, music by George Le Brunn, art by HG Banks. Venus & Mars reimagined as a soldier + his sweetheart canoodling in a shady dell - until his 'missis' turns up. Tears, fisticuffs, chaos ensues #MusicHall

"Underneath The Arches..."

Registration has re-opened for our AGM & Campaign Meeting online on Weds 16th September 2026 at 8pm Sorry if you have been unable to register but we have now reopened registration. Please register now via our events page https://streathamhilltheatre.org/events

#MusicHallMonday Come along to our 'Archive on Show' on Thu 22 Oct when we'll spotlight items connected to TRAVEL. Discover collection items that tell of performers life-on-the-road & be among the 1st to see material from the recent Ella Shields donation Book here: buff.ly/GN7r3xr I

#SongSheetSaturday "Statues on the Spree" (1907) Nelson, Boadicea, Shakespeare & co. sneak off to the Covent Garden Ball, stumbling home "torn and tattered, badly battered," forgetting where they live! Music: Harry Fragson | Words: Wimperis & Davidson | Art: H. George 📷 BMHS Archive #MusicHall

Can-Can, set in 1890's Montmartre, came to Streatham on this day 1956.

Over the next week we're spotlighting theatres on our Fifty@50 list that are taking part in Heritage Open Days. First up we have The Albany Theatre in Coventry. Find out how we've supported the Albany www.theatrestrust.org.uk/how-we-help/... #HeritageOpenDays #ArtDeco #Coventry

🎪 #MusicHallMonday: from the Flea Circus to the Girl with the Laugh in Her Voice, there's something for everyone this Autumn in #MusicHall and #Variety. Check out what's coming up👇️ buff.ly/NEhmJmE

🎶 #SongSheetSaturday 🎶 “Whispering Grass (I Don’t Tell the Trees)” featuring the fabulous Ivy Benson and her Band. Discover Ivy's story at our next In the Limelight talk: ✨ Ivy Benson, Original GIRL POWER 📅 Tues 22 Sept 2026 🎟️ Tickets: buff.ly/ynyNY4X #IvyBenson #WomenInMusic