A History of Music Hall with Alix Chidley-Uttley

Join folklorist & our resident Social Historian Alix Chidley-Uttley for an entertaining journey through the history of the Music Hall. From the pleasure gardens of the 18th Century, the Glee clubs and Catches, to the 19th century and the bright lights of the Victorian Music Hall.

Discover the world of bawdy lyrics, music, dancing and the spectacle that drew crowds in search of an evening's amusement. Alix will trace the development of popular entertainment through the rise of the Music Hall. From the much-loved Can-Can with its theatrical exuberance to the celebrated singers, comedians and larger-than-life personalities who commanded the Victorian and Edwardian stage. Explore the songs, scandals and stories that captivated audiences, much as they still do to this day.

Alix will take us through the Music Hall's influence, into the 20th century with the influence on stage and film, including of course, Lionel Bart's Oliver! which brought the romanticised world of Victorian London vividly back to the stage in the 1960s, to George Formby’s When I’m Cleaning Windows and Dick Van Dyke’s Mockney happy chappie characters.

A story of entertainment, social change, popular culture and the enduring appeal of a good song and a great performer. All together now, ‘Where did you get that Hat’…