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.
Harry Freeman - The Rocket Man. A talk by Peter Charlton
Accompanied by Laurence Payne, BMHS Historian Peter will take us through the life of Birmingham-based Harry Freeman whose song ‘Another Rocket’ set him on the path to success including becoming the 1st King Rat of The Grand Order of Water Rats.
About Peter...
20 Bedford Street London United Kingdom WC2E 9HP
Players Please! Part IV! A talk by Keith Fawkes & Richard Norman
Continuing the story of the Players' Theatre — a legendary British institution — this presentation explores one of its most successful collaborations: its long-running partnership with the BBC TV series The Good Old Days.
Spearheaded by producer Barney Colehan, The Good Old Days ran...
20 Bedford Street London United Kingdom WC2E 9HP
BMHS Archive Collection on Show at Lambeth Archives - Duos and Double Acts
BMHS Archive Collection on Show at Lambeth Archives - Duos and Double Acts.
Join us for an open morning exploring our collection, with special emphasis on duos and double acts in music hall and variety - both on stage performances and off-stage partnerships.
Opportunities to...
16 Brixton Hill London United Kingdom SW2 1ET
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
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
