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Dateline: 14th June, 2008
Music Hall Returns to Wilton's Wilton's Music Hall is to present what is described as its "first true music hall show since 1880". It is, we are told, "An entirely New, Interesting, Instructive and Didactic Drama, Licensed expressly for this Establishment, to be entitled Wink The Other Eye: A History of Music Hall". It will run at the Whitechapel venue from 17th July to 16th August (no performances on Sundays and Saturday 26th July). In the show, the management inform us: "Seven Incredible Quick-change Artistes will play over 50 characters! Astonishing Illusions! Marvellous Metamorphoses! Amazing Combinations, Protean Transformations, &c. &c. exhibiting some of the most surprising Evolutions, Serpentine Postures, &c. ever beheld!" On the bill will be such "striking likenesses" as Miss S. Chard, as Miss Marie Lloyd, Mr R. Weskin as Mr John Wilton, Mr M. Pearce as Mr. George Leybourne & Mr. Gus Elen, Miss K. Hughes, as Miss Vesta Tilley, Mr M. Sengelow as Mr. Harry Champion, Miss L. Alexandra as Miss Lottie Collins, and Mr D. Morley Hale as Mr. George Formby Snr & Miss Nellie Wallace! Wilton’s is the last surviving and oldest grand music hall in the world. From 1859 for close on 30 years Wilton’s presented classical overtures, opera, choral, folk, dance, burlesque, circus acts, comedy and contemporary songs. 1500 people used to cram into the music hall to hear the top acts of the day. Champagne Charlie made his name at Wilton’s, famous for only drinking Moët and Chandon. Today only 40% of the building is in use. Wilton’s is five terrace Georgian houses, including an old pub with the grand music hall built across the back yards. The management is trying to raise £4.5m to repair and rebuild.
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