Local young people have helped create a show about the history of Longfield Hall and its links with the theatre – going back more than 100 years.
They helped local writer and broadcaster Steve Martin research during workshops. The information they discovered at Lambeth Archives will be transformed into the Music Hall Extravaganza on 29 July. The show delves into the life stories of performers who lived and worked in the area and around Myatt’s Fields.
Stars of the show
Local celebrities featured include:
- Music hall performer Vesta Tilley, who caused a sensation on stage dressed as a man and who laid the foundation stone for Camberwell Palace of Varieties in 1899.
- Charlie Chaplin – one of the first and greatest of Hollywood’s comedy stars of the silent screen from the First World War until the 1940s – started his career as a member of Fred Karno’s Company based in Loughborough Junction.
- Music hall performer Dan Leno lived on Akerman Road.
- Jazz singer Adelaide Hall – originally from the USA – who performed at the Empress Brixton.
- Other artists including ‘gentleman juggler’ and contortionist Cinquevalli (famous for juggling one-handed while holding a man above his head with the other arm) and aerialist Zaeo who lived nearby.
Theatre tradition
The show also explores the history of Longfield Hall itself. The hall opened in 1889, with a theatre tradition from the Cinderella dances of the early 1900s to its role as home to the UK’s first Black theatre company, Dark and Light Theatre, in the 1970s. renamed as the Black Theatre of Brixton, they performed more plays by black writers in two years than the whole of UK theatre had done in 20.
Get ready for the show
Local children and families can help prepare for the show during two free art workshops run by South Island Arts. They will help participants make all sorts of props and objects to bring along to the show. These workshops are at Myatt’s Fields Park on Sunday 23 July, 2.30pm to 4.30pm and at Longfield Hall, Thursday 27 July, 4pm to 5pm.
The show on 29 July starts at 6pm and is free for the whole community to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information
Contact: catherinehamilton@longfieldhall.org.uk
T: 0795 29 45769
About Steve Martin
S.I. Martin is a British author, historian, journalist and teacher, specialising in Black British history and literature. More information on his website at www.simartin.org.uk.
