Alison Young
@youngalison.bsky.social
Ran way from the law to join the music hall. Now often to be found running around with a clipboard organising events & the archive for the British Music Hall Society. Would rather be researching & writing…
My blog: https://musichallalice.wordpress.com
My blog: https://musichallalice.wordpress.com
Really enjoyed 'Radical Harmony' at the National Gallery. I'm always a sucker for anything with 19th century café -concert/music hall vibes, and the landscapes were stunning too, especially the vibrant colours of the River Thames with factories emitting pollution. Seurat, Pissarro, Lemmen, Signac.
November 11, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Really enjoyed 'Radical Harmony' at the National Gallery. I'm always a sucker for anything with 19th century café -concert/music hall vibes, and the landscapes were stunning too, especially the vibrant colours of the River Thames with factories emitting pollution. Seurat, Pissarro, Lemmen, Signac.
It's been a while...my much neglected blog actually has a new post. A lovely follow up to a story I wrote way back in Feb 2017, Panic at the Newport Empire #MusicHall #blog
musichallalice.wordpress.com/2025/11/05/p...
musichallalice.wordpress.com/2025/11/05/p...
Panic at the Newport Empire – a follow up
One of the great joys of writing this blog is the emails I receive from readers for whom a name or reference has sparked a memory or connection with the people in these stories. I was particularly …
musichallalice.wordpress.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:10 PM
It's been a while...my much neglected blog actually has a new post. A lovely follow up to a story I wrote way back in Feb 2017, Panic at the Newport Empire #MusicHall #blog
musichallalice.wordpress.com/2025/11/05/p...
musichallalice.wordpress.com/2025/11/05/p...
I had a great day @thelondonarchives.bsky.social yesterday talking unrideable mules🐴 (yes! really!) at the Clapham Grand, and listening to some excellent talks from @roadsw9.bsky.social @naomipaxton.bsky.social Tony Fletcher, Jane Pritchard, Wanda Robins, Mark Fox, Alison Boulton and Meera Flynn.
November 2, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I had a great day @thelondonarchives.bsky.social yesterday talking unrideable mules🐴 (yes! really!) at the Clapham Grand, and listening to some excellent talks from @roadsw9.bsky.social @naomipaxton.bsky.social Tony Fletcher, Jane Pritchard, Wanda Robins, Mark Fox, Alison Boulton and Meera Flynn.
I am looking forward to this day tomorrow and speaking about a tragic 'audience participation' incident at the Clapham Grand in 1906 #MusicHall
We are in @thetimes.com again!
A lovely article all about our Music Hall exhibition and events
There are still the last few tickets remaining for our Music Hall event this Saturday
Times article: www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Event tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
A lovely article all about our Music Hall exhibition and events
There are still the last few tickets remaining for our Music Hall event this Saturday
Times article: www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Event tickets: www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
October 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
I am looking forward to this day tomorrow and speaking about a tragic 'audience participation' incident at the Clapham Grand in 1906 #MusicHall
Reposted by Alison Young
Step back into London's Music Hall! 🎩
🏛️ Join The London Archives for talks, rare document displays & expert insights : www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
🎭 Head to @canalmuseum.bsky.social
for 'Gatti's Music Hall' – a live Victorian performance www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/musi...
🏛️ Join The London Archives for talks, rare document displays & expert insights : www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
🎭 Head to @canalmuseum.bsky.social
for 'Gatti's Music Hall' – a live Victorian performance www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/musi...
October 21, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Step back into London's Music Hall! 🎩
🏛️ Join The London Archives for talks, rare document displays & expert insights : www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
🎭 Head to @canalmuseum.bsky.social
for 'Gatti's Music Hall' – a live Victorian performance www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/musi...
🏛️ Join The London Archives for talks, rare document displays & expert insights : www.thelondonarchives.org/whats-on/cen...
🎭 Head to @canalmuseum.bsky.social
for 'Gatti's Music Hall' – a live Victorian performance www.canalmuseum.org.uk/whatson/musi...
Reposted by Alison Young
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
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
A couple of Edwardian #showgirls in the items on display last week at the @musichallsociety.bsky.social ‘Archive on Show’ at @lambetharchives.bsky.social
October 13, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A couple of Edwardian #showgirls in the items on display last week at the @musichallsociety.bsky.social ‘Archive on Show’ at @lambetharchives.bsky.social
Great ‘Spotlight on MUSIC HALL’ exhibition @thelondonarchives.bsky.social - small but perfectly formed!
October 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Great ‘Spotlight on MUSIC HALL’ exhibition @thelondonarchives.bsky.social - small but perfectly formed!
Reposted by Alison Young
May Belfort from Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies)
October 4, 2025 at 7:48 PM
May Belfort from Portraits of Actors and Actresses: Thirteen Lithographs (Portraits d'Acteurs & Actrices: Treize Lithographies)
Reposted by Alison Young
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
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
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
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
It was a gorgeous day yesterday for @adrianpgibson.bsky.social ‘s stink pipes & the hidden river Effra lunchtime walking tour. Herne Hill & Brixton looked magnificent & I learnt some fascinating facts and realised I have been walking past & over some interesting landmarks for years.Thank you Adrian!
September 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
It was a gorgeous day yesterday for @adrianpgibson.bsky.social ‘s stink pipes & the hidden river Effra lunchtime walking tour. Herne Hill & Brixton looked magnificent & I learnt some fascinating facts and realised I have been walking past & over some interesting landmarks for years.Thank you Adrian!
Reposted by Alison Young
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
📚 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
Events | British Music Hall Society
Our events are sociable affairs and open to everyone, come along and join us!
britishmusichallsociety.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:30 AM
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
📚 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
Reposted by Alison Young
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-...
September 5, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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-...
August 21, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Reposted by Alison Young
Edmund Yates checks out the audience at the Alhambra Music Hall, Leicester Square, in 1867
August 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Edmund Yates checks out the audience at the Alhambra Music Hall, Leicester Square, in 1867
Reposted by Alison Young
Join us at the Lambeth Heritage Festival @lambetharchives.bsky.social
'Music Hall Tales from the Archive' on Mon, 15 Sept, 6pm. Free entry, booking required via TicketSource. #LambethHeritage #MusicHallTales
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
'Music Hall Tales from the Archive' on Mon, 15 Sept, 6pm. Free entry, booking required via TicketSource. #LambethHeritage #MusicHallTales
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
August 1, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Join us at the Lambeth Heritage Festival @lambetharchives.bsky.social
'Music Hall Tales from the Archive' on Mon, 15 Sept, 6pm. Free entry, booking required via TicketSource. #LambethHeritage #MusicHallTales
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
'Music Hall Tales from the Archive' on Mon, 15 Sept, 6pm. Free entry, booking required via TicketSource. #LambethHeritage #MusicHallTales
www.ticketsource.co.uk/britishmusic...
Reposted by Alison Young
'Gallery of the Old Bedford', Camden Town (c.1895) by Walter Sickert
(Walker Art Gallery)
(Walker Art Gallery)
July 28, 2025 at 12:54 PM
'Gallery of the Old Bedford', Camden Town (c.1895) by Walter Sickert
(Walker Art Gallery)
(Walker Art Gallery)
Reposted by Alison Young
The Great Wheel at Earls Court was opened in 1895, closed in 1906 and famously got stuck in May 1896, stranding passengers for 4 1/2 hours.
Here's a little ditty about it by John Read.
#SongsheetSaturday
Here's a little ditty about it by John Read.
#SongsheetSaturday
July 26, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The Great Wheel at Earls Court was opened in 1895, closed in 1906 and famously got stuck in May 1896, stranding passengers for 4 1/2 hours.
Here's a little ditty about it by John Read.
#SongsheetSaturday
Here's a little ditty about it by John Read.
#SongsheetSaturday
To those who like to track down #MusicHall ephemera on Ebay etc, please bear this mind when posters for the Argyle, Birkenhead (some of the most visually brilliant posters of the day) are offered for sale
July 20, 2025 at 6:53 PM
To those who like to track down #MusicHall ephemera on Ebay etc, please bear this mind when posters for the Argyle, Birkenhead (some of the most visually brilliant posters of the day) are offered for sale
Last week I was on the island of Öland in Sweden. It was all moody skies, gentle breezes & appealing wooden structures. NO heat. God, how I would like to be back there today.
July 18, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Last week I was on the island of Öland in Sweden. It was all moody skies, gentle breezes & appealing wooden structures. NO heat. God, how I would like to be back there today.
Reposted by Alison Young
Meet Jules Léotard: the daring 19th-century acrobat who flew on the trapeze—and invented the iconic leotard! 🎪✨
➡️ bit.ly/3U1NjGi
➡️ bit.ly/3U1NjGi
July 10, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Meet Jules Léotard: the daring 19th-century acrobat who flew on the trapeze—and invented the iconic leotard! 🎪✨
➡️ bit.ly/3U1NjGi
➡️ bit.ly/3U1NjGi
Reposted by Alison Young
📣 In the Limelight: A Risky Business - Japanese Acrobats in Victorian Britain. A talk by Pernille Rudlin
📅 Tuesday 22 July 2025
🕖 7:00pm start (No interval, ends approx. 8:30pm)
📍 The Water Rats, London
🎟️ Booking here - buff.ly/PViKfD8
#LiveTalk #HistoryEvent #JapaneseAcrobats #VictorianBritain
📅 Tuesday 22 July 2025
🕖 7:00pm start (No interval, ends approx. 8:30pm)
📍 The Water Rats, London
🎟️ Booking here - buff.ly/PViKfD8
#LiveTalk #HistoryEvent #JapaneseAcrobats #VictorianBritain
July 8, 2025 at 7:01 AM
📣 In the Limelight: A Risky Business - Japanese Acrobats in Victorian Britain. A talk by Pernille Rudlin
📅 Tuesday 22 July 2025
🕖 7:00pm start (No interval, ends approx. 8:30pm)
📍 The Water Rats, London
🎟️ Booking here - buff.ly/PViKfD8
#LiveTalk #HistoryEvent #JapaneseAcrobats #VictorianBritain
📅 Tuesday 22 July 2025
🕖 7:00pm start (No interval, ends approx. 8:30pm)
📍 The Water Rats, London
🎟️ Booking here - buff.ly/PViKfD8
#LiveTalk #HistoryEvent #JapaneseAcrobats #VictorianBritain
Great to see this story- a very modern palace of variety (saved by Hollywood) #MusicHall
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What mystery 'Magic' saved the Clapham Grand?
After being saved by a Hollywood blockbuster, the Victorian-era music hall
opens its doors to BBC London.
www.bbc.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 6:30 AM
Great to see this story- a very modern palace of variety (saved by Hollywood) #MusicHall
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alison Young
June 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Alison Young
'Vaudeville Theatre, 1991' by Philip Le Bas
(Private collection)
(Private collection)
June 6, 2025 at 6:39 PM
'Vaudeville Theatre, 1991' by Philip Le Bas
(Private collection)
(Private collection)