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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

For the rich and famous during this period there was opera, the theatre, the gentlemen's club, the drawing room Soirée, and music round the newly available upright pianos and harmoniums at home. Others made their entertainments at the local pubs with their skittle alleys and sing-songs, or from street musicians.

Music Hall¹ started in the back rooms of country pubs and town & city taverns, with sing-alongs containing boisterous choruses. As these developed and competition grew, the best amateur artists became desirable professional leaders and soloists. The increasing popularity of these events encouraged the braver owners to build special rooms for these entertainments called Saloon Theatres, such as the Grecian Saloon in the grounds of the Eagle Tavern in City Road, London.

Eventually, in spite of competition from legitimate theatres, this form of entertainment developed to the point where it attracted musical stars such as Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilley, household names based on their music hall performances. The glamour and glitter attracted more entrepreneurial money to these venues and the larger Saloon Theatres provided ever improving entertainment. The American influence from its own version of music hall, called Vaudeville, and the Minstrels' special brand of 'street music', soon permeated the Saloons. Gradually Music Hall moved on to Palace of Varieties. There was no stopping it now!

We have chosen five numbers to represent our choice from this genre. And if you are a very good audience (and we know you are!) there is a very special encore.

So off we go on our journey, starting with the great Marie Lloyd. Everybody on board! Stand clear of the doors please -for-  Oh! Mr Porter . . .

Footnote 1    See Waites and Hunter's wonderful Illustrated Songbook in MusicSmiles bibliography for further details.  Return to story.

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