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Music hall
Music Hall (or 'vaudeville' in the US) was the popular entertainment of the 19th century. Its mixed programme of singers, dancers, acrobats, comedians, and magicians entertained often rowdy crowds and made celebrities of its star performers, such as Marie Lloyd, Dan Leno, Vesta Tilley and George Leybourne. The V&A collection documents the diversity and eccentricity of music hall talent, from major stars to forgotten acts, through photographs, music sheets, posters, prints, caricatures and costumes.
Collection highlights
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Music sheet for 'Champagne Charlie', written and sung by George Leybourne, composed by Alfred Lee, published by C. Sheard, 19th century, London, England -
Poster advertising the variety programme at the Norwich Hippodrome for week of Monday 10 March 1913, starring Marie Lloyd and featuring Leighton and Lindford, letterpress, printed by Wilsons' Printers, Leicester, England -
Pair of 'Flap' shoes worn by Lupino Lane in an impersonation of music hall artiste, Little Tich, early 20th century, England -
Caricature of Nellie Wallace, from an album of caricatures by George Cooke, 4 June 1904, Stoke-on-Trent, England -
The Old Bedford music hall, etching, by Walter Richard Sickert, 1915 – 16, London, England -
Photograph of Marie Lloyd in character, photographer unknown, late 19th century, England -
Song sheet cover for 'Drink! (By One Who's Had Some)', depicting Harry Randall, published by Francis, Day & Hunter, about 1900, London, England -
'Fare You Well, Daisy Bell', sheet music, written by Dacre, composed by Percy Vale, published by Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd, 1894, London, England -
Sheet music for 'Some Things Are Left Better Unsaid', sung by R.G Knowles with J.Hayden Clarendon, written by Chas H Hoyt with J. Hayden Clarendon, composed by Richard Stahl, published in London by Francis Day & Hunter and New York by T.B Harms & Co, 1896. -
Front cover of music sheet for the song 'Among My Knick-Knacks', written by Mon Tresor, composed by Geo. Le Brunn, published in London and New York, late 19th – early 20th century -
Sheet music cover and pages for 'How did you lose your arm?', sung by G.H Macdermott, written and composed by N.G Travers, published by Francis Bros & Day, 1889, London, England -
Sheet music and cover for 'No Show Tonight', sung by Herbert Campbell, written and composed by Frank Leo, published by Francis Day & Hunter, 19th century, London, England -
Illustrated music sheet cover for The Oxford Galop by Adrien Baudouin, artwork by Thomas Packer, published by W. Willliams & Co., printed by Stannard, 19th century, London, England -
Sheet music cover for 'Burlington Bertie', written and composed by Harry B. Norris, sung by Vesta Tilley, published by Frank Dean and Co., London, England -
Colour songsheet cover for 'How I Climbed the Pole', designed by Sidney Kent, published by Francis, Day & Hunter Ltd. London and New York, 19th – early 20th century -
Studio photograph of music hall dance act The Sisters Tilley, photographer unknown, about 1893, England. Guy Little Collection. -
Sheet music for 'There They Are - The Two of 'Em on Their Own' as sung by Marie Lloyd, written by Murray and Leigh, composed by George Le Brunn and E. Nevin, published by Francis, Day & Hunter, late 19th century, London, England -
Poster for the Palladium Theatre variety show for the week of 11th August 1913, published by Hanbury, Tomsett & Co Printers, Electric Press, London, England
Features
Music hall and variety theatre
Music hall and variety theatre
Charting its history from early song and supper rooms to West End music halls and the birth of the Royal Variety Performance
Walter Sickert and the Bedford Music Hall
Walter Sickert and the Bedford Music Hall
For Sickert the music halls were a serious subject for art
Wilton's Music Hall archive
Wilton's Music Hall archive
Discover the chequered history of the world's oldest surviving Victorian music hall
Header image:
Music sheet for 'Champagne Charlie', written and sung by George Leybourne, composed by Alfred Lee, published by C. Sheard, 19th century, London, England. Museum no. S.18-2014. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London