The Society offers a full programme of shows and talks open to everyone
- A regular programme of talks by historians, authors and performers
- Blue Plaque unveilings
- Variety and Music Hall based shows including an annual Day By The Sea in Eastbourne
- An annual conference covering all things Music Hall
- A range of social events from sausage and mash singalong suppers to formal dinners
Members receive discounted rates on all of our events. See below for what is upcoming.
BMHS Birthday Show 2026
Join us at the legendary Phoenix Arts Club for our birthday celebration.
Headlining the night is the irresistible Miss Ada Campe – award-winning comedian, magician, cabaret star, and proud member of The Magic Circle. Whether she's wowing crowds at Glastonbury, the V&A, or Chichester...
1 Phoenix Street
London
WC2H 8BU
Ivy Benson: Original Girl Power. A talk by Clair Wordsworth
A talk about Ivy Benson, Britain's forgotten wartime bandleader, who broke new ground for female musicians in the 20th century. In this long-awaited session, Clair Wordsworth draws from her acclaimed BBC radio documentaries. Born in Leeds in 1913, Ivy Benson first rose to fame during the Second...
20 Bedford Street London United Kingdom WC2E 9HP
Alma Cogan: The Girl with the Laugh in Her Voice. A talk by Geoff Bowden
To mark the 60th anniversary of her tragically early death, Call Boy Editor Geoff Bowden looks back at the life and glittering career of the popular British singer Alma Cogan, who rose to fame in the 1950s and had more hit records in that decade than any other female singer. A glamorous presence on...
20 Bedford Street London United Kingdom WC2E 9HP
BMHS Archive Collection on Show at Lambeth Archives - TRAVEL
Join us for an open afternoon exploring our collection, with a special focus on TRAVEL in the music hall and variety world. From rail and steamship to motor car, performers were constantly on the move - touring across the United Kingdom and further afield. Come and discover the items in our...
16 Brixton Hill London United Kingdom SW2 1ET
Flea Circus: The Smallest Show on Earth. A talk by Tim Cockerill
Roll up and see the world-famous performing fleas! For over 150 years, audiences have been paying their sixpences to be amazed by whole troupes of real, live, performing fleas. Believe it, or not?
In this talk Tim will persuade you that the flea circus, until recently, was a 100% genuine...
20 Bedford Street London United Kingdom WC2E 9HP
3rd British Music Hall Society Conference
Following the success of our second conference at Hoxton Hall in 2024, the third British Music Hall Society Conference will take place on Saturday 21 November 2026. This year's theme is CATERING FOR PEOPLE’S DESIRES AND NEEDS IN THE MUSIC HALL and we are...
Kennington London United Kingdom SE11 4TH
