The British Music Hall Society announces…
Su Pollard will be their new President
The British Music Hall Society is delighted to announce that Su Pollard has agreed to become their new President with effect from October 2023. The role of President was previously held by Paul O’Grady who died in March 2023.
Su Pollard said:
‘I am delighted to be asked to take on the role of President. I will do my utmost to help keep the traditions of music hall and variety alive through this wonderful organisation’.
Chairman of the British Music Hall Society (“BMHS”) Dean Caston said:
‘We are thrilled that Su has agreed to become our first female President! I am confident that she will be a great advocate for our Society and carry out the role with passion and commitment.’
Su started her professional career with an appearance on Opportunity Knocks with her rendition of ‘I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No’ and came second to a Jack Russell. However, nearly 40 years later, she has had a string of hits on television and on stage. Su shot to fame in the 1980s in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi! The role of Peggy Ollerenshaw made her a household name and she went on to play Peggy in the stage version in the West End and Blackpool. A stalwart of pantomime, musicals and her one-woman touring show, Su has most recently been seen on our screens in the BBC Two series Pilgrimage: The Road Through Portugal.
Music Hall was one of the most popular forms of affordable British theatrical entertainment. It was popular from the early Victorian era, fading away after 1918 and re-branded as ‘Variety.’ The influences of this era of popular entertainment are still very present today in shows like ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, pantomime, stand up, cabaret, drag and sketch comedy.
