Brick Lane Music Hall
Encyclopedia
Brick Lane Music Hall is a music hall
entertainment based in the former St Mark's Church, Silvertown
, in the London Borough of Newham
. Music hall was popular throughout the British Isles in the Victorian
and Edwardian eras. Although a handful of purpose built music hall theatres remain, this is the only venue presenting traditional music hall on a nightly basis.
Vincent resolved to bring music hall-style entertainment to a wider audience and in 1992 opened Brick Lane Music Hall in the former Truman’s Brewery
building in Brick Lane
, from where it takes its name. After a move to larger premises in Shoreditch
, the Music Hall has finally settled in Silvertown, in the Royal Docks
, next to London City Airport
.
The building where the Music Hall is now housed is the former church of St Mark’s, built in the 1870s by Samuel Sanders Teulon
. The building is of historic interest for its unique Gothic brick exterior and the grace of its interior design. Having been deconsecrated in the 1980s the building could have been destroyed by fire had it not been for the weight of pigeon-muck on the roof which fell and quickly extinguished the flames! The building was carefully restored but then remained empty for many years before being offered as a distinguished home for Brick Lane Music Hall. A Grade II listed building, the exterior remains largely unchanged, while the interior has been tastefully refurbished to retain all of its former character, whilst housing a full stage, lighting and sound, a bar, offices and kitchen and all the conveniences of a modern-day theatre.
Audiences are seated at tables in a cabaret-style arrangement. Evening audiences are treated to a three-course dinner before the show, afternoon audiences are served a full afternoon tea during the interval. Vincent leads most of the shows, with many of the artists who appeared at The Lord Hood, together with new performers, some from local colleges, and other experienced performers who come to enjoy the special atmosphere of Brick Lane Music Hall, where every show is unique and laughter is always top of the bill.
Brick Lane Music Hall is involved in workshops for schools, as well as taking shows to community centres, care homes and hospices throughout the East End. The theatre has a license to hold weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.
Since October 2006 the theatre has branched out on its shows, now offering produced shows, rather than the traditional "turn" shows that were offered in the earlier two theatres, as well as a new lighting and sound rig. The theatre has many new architectural features including a painted mural and many new designed sets.
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
entertainment based in the former St Mark's Church, Silvertown
Silvertown
Silvertown is an industrialised district on the north bank of the Thames in the London Borough of Newham. It was named after Samuel Winkworth Silver's former rubber factory which opened in 1852, and is now dominated by the Tate & Lyle sugar refinery and the John Knight ABP animal rendering...
, in the London Borough of Newham
London Borough of Newham
The London Borough of Newham is a London borough formed from the towns of West Ham and East Ham, within East London.It is situated east of the City of London, and is north of the River Thames. According to 2006 estimates, Newham has one of the highest ethnic minority populations of all the...
. Music hall was popular throughout the British Isles in the Victorian
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and Edwardian eras. Although a handful of purpose built music hall theatres remain, this is the only venue presenting traditional music hall on a nightly basis.
Past and present
The brainchild of Vincent Hayes, Brick Lane Music Hall was inspired by the popularity of the Lord Hood, where he was landlord in the 80s and regularly performed with his band of talented artists on an impromptu stage made from beer crates.Vincent resolved to bring music hall-style entertainment to a wider audience and in 1992 opened Brick Lane Music Hall in the former Truman’s Brewery
Old Truman Brewery
The Old Truman Brewery is the former Black Eagle brewery complex located around Brick Lane in the Spitalfields area, in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It was established by the brewers Truman's which subsequently became Truman, Hanbury and Buxton...
building in Brick Lane
Brick Lane
Brick Lane is a street in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London. It runs from Swanfield Street in the northern part of Bethnal Green, crosses Bethnal Green Road, passes through Spitalfields and is linked to Whitechapel High Street to the south by the short stretch of...
, from where it takes its name. After a move to larger premises in Shoreditch
Shoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
, the Music Hall has finally settled in Silvertown, in the Royal Docks
Royal Docks
The Royal Docks comprise three docks in east London - the Royal Albert Dock, the Royal Victoria Dock and the King George V Dock. They are more correctly called the Royal Group of Docks to distinguish them from the Royal Dockyards, Royal being due to their naming after royal personages rather than...
, next to London City Airport
London City Airport
London City Airport is a single-runway airport. It principally serves the financial district of London and is located on a former Docklands site, east of the City of London, opposite the London Regatta Centre, in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It was developed by the engineering...
.
The building where the Music Hall is now housed is the former church of St Mark’s, built in the 1870s by Samuel Sanders Teulon
Samuel Sanders Teulon
Samuel Sanders Teulon was a notable 19th century English Gothic Revival architect.-Family:Teulon was born in Greenwich in south-east London, the son of a cabinet-maker from a French Huguenot family. His younger brother William Milford Teulon also became an architect...
. The building is of historic interest for its unique Gothic brick exterior and the grace of its interior design. Having been deconsecrated in the 1980s the building could have been destroyed by fire had it not been for the weight of pigeon-muck on the roof which fell and quickly extinguished the flames! The building was carefully restored but then remained empty for many years before being offered as a distinguished home for Brick Lane Music Hall. A Grade II listed building, the exterior remains largely unchanged, while the interior has been tastefully refurbished to retain all of its former character, whilst housing a full stage, lighting and sound, a bar, offices and kitchen and all the conveniences of a modern-day theatre.
Audiences are seated at tables in a cabaret-style arrangement. Evening audiences are treated to a three-course dinner before the show, afternoon audiences are served a full afternoon tea during the interval. Vincent leads most of the shows, with many of the artists who appeared at The Lord Hood, together with new performers, some from local colleges, and other experienced performers who come to enjoy the special atmosphere of Brick Lane Music Hall, where every show is unique and laughter is always top of the bill.
Brick Lane Music Hall is involved in workshops for schools, as well as taking shows to community centres, care homes and hospices throughout the East End. The theatre has a license to hold weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.
Since October 2006 the theatre has branched out on its shows, now offering produced shows, rather than the traditional "turn" shows that were offered in the earlier two theatres, as well as a new lighting and sound rig. The theatre has many new architectural features including a painted mural and many new designed sets.
External links
- Moving heaven and earth for a music hall The Daily TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
- Brick Lane Music Hall