British Music Hall: DAY BY THE SEA
Our friends at the British Music Hall have a fantastic line up for the annual Day By The Sea on 1st June. Our very own Director & Producer JAN HUNT will be performing!
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Music Hall Show at Wilton's is a hit!
Another sell-out show at Wilton's Music Hall in London's East End!
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Honorary Patrons of The Players!
We are delighted to announce that Gerald Glover (right) and John Cliff (left) have accepted our invitation to become Honorary Patrons of The Players! Gerald is a co-founder of the British Music Hall Society which was established in the early 1960's. At the time Gerald was House Manager at The Granada, Kingston. While working at […]
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'Eve of the Eve' Farewell Party!
With the support of the Worshipful Company of Musicians, Bill Halson is putting on one last ’Eve of the Eve’ party on 30th December 2023. The price will remain unbelievably modest at £80 per person, for a professional Music Hall show plus supper The programme is – as usual: Arrive from 6.15 Assemble in Churchill […]
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Kate Garner (Daughter of Chas of 'Chas & Dave' to perform at our next NEW FACES show!
Kate Garner is a singer, pianist, songwriter. Music Hall and singalongs around the piano have a very special place in her music. Having grown up around the songs of Harry Champion, Marie Lloyd and Vesta Victoria, Kate has gone on to write songs inspired by them. A defining moment in her songwriting was a letter […]
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Jan Hunt: Lifetime Achievement Award by the British Music Hall Society!
We are delighted and proud of our Producer and Director JAN HUNT who received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Music Hall Society at the end of our show at Wilton's last Tuesday. Jan has also agreed to be a Patron of the British Music Hall Society. The award was given at the end […]
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Paul O'Grady RIP
The Players' Theatre Club are deeply saddened at the news of Paul O'Grady's passing. "Paul was so warm, friendly, funny, caring, talented, a diamond man forever missed, forever remembered. R.I.P. I feel honoured to have known him." Jan Hunt (Producer and Director)
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Members Evening at CAA: 14th November
More details to follow soon
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Players Please: The Story of Ridgeway's Late Joys
Thursday 20th April: From archival material and personal recollections, Keith Fawkes and Richard Norman will present our history using illustrations and film clips that established 'Late Joys' as a British institution reigning from Evans's Song and Supper Rooms through to Under-the-Arches in Villiers Street. This is part of the British Music Hall's In the Limelight series held at […]
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New book features story of The Players!
Deborah Philip's new book (2021) situates the production of The Boy Friend and the Players’ Theatre in the context of a post-war London and reads The Boy Friend, and Wilson's later work, as exercises in contemporary camp. It argues for Wilson as a significant and transitional figure both for musical theatre and for modes of […]
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Chairman in Dance Competition
Our chairman, Rev Lee, will be dancing with Indiana Jones actress and former Benny Hill dancer, Julie Thomas, in a fundraising dance competition for Nightingale House Hospice. The dancing event will take place later in November at The Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. Lee will be dancing the Argentinian Tango! Read more about the story here: […]
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NEW FACES
For over 85 years, The Players' Theatre has nurtured new talent in Music Hall performance and we are proud to claim that many of our performers have gone on to a career in musical theatre, film and television, from the legendary HATTIE JACQUES to ELLIE BAMBER! Indeed, it was at The Players that Sandy Wilson's […]
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BOBBY CRUSH: Our New Vice President!
We are excited to announce that at our next show on 1st October ('From Victoria to Elizabeth: The Songs Go On') we will formally welcome Bobby as our Vice President! Few entertainers can claim to have had as varied a career as BOBBY CRUSH ... famous in the U.K. for 50 years primarily as a pianist […]
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The Good Old Days at Leeds City Varieties
Our very own Director & Producer JAN HUNT and regular virtuoso on the virginals: PAUL SMITH! 23/24 SeptemberTop of the Bill: Basil BrushChair: Richard GauntlettCast: Jan HuntAndrew RobleyMat Ricardo The Good Old Days was a BBC television light entertainment programme produced by Barney Colehan which ran from 1953 to 1983. Filmed at The Varieties, the show recreated an […]
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The Amazing Hattie Jacques: Larger than Life
A new documentary on the life of Hattie Jacques will air on Saturday 17th September 2022, Channel 5 at 9pm (GMT). This programme will look back at how The Players' Theatre was the launch pad for Hattie's career; it is where she made her first stage debut, developed her persona, formed many acting partnerships, met […]
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Naughty Nineties
Our friend Bob Higgs, who directed and appeared at The Players many years ago, directs the Mary Ward Players and they put on regular music hall shows at the Mary Ward Centre in Southwark. See below for more details:
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Marie Lloyd Commemoration
Our friends from the British Music Hall Society will be commemorating 100 years since Marie Lloyd died with a service at St Luke's Church, Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead NW3 7SU at 2.00 on Friday 7th October 2022. This will be exactly 100 years to the day of her death and in the church where her funeral […]
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Ellie Bamber
Ellie began her career with us at The Players' Theatre. It is really exciting to report that she is now one of the three female leads in Willow, an American fantasy adventure television series for Disney+ Check out the interviews here: https://youtu.be/CPqk9k91TEk
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Auditions
The Players’ Theatre are looking for talented Music Hall performers. Whether you are a variety act, magician, juggler, comic, ventriloquist, acrobat or singer. We would love to hear from you. Audition dates TBC Please email playerstheatreclub@gmail.com with a brief description of your act and your CV.
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News! News! News!
SEPTEMBER 16 & 17, 23 & 24 The Music Hall returns to LEEDS CITY VARIETIES after a Covid delay. The Show will feature current Players artistes, and one of our splendid performers from our recent New Faces show, magician , Danny Lee Grew. The shows are being co-produced by our very own, Miss Jan Hunt. […]
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Watch this space for details of future shows!
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Hymns, Pimms & Music Hall
Our Chairman, Rev Lee Taylor, appeared on BBC Songs of Praise on Sunday 21st August 2022 (1.15pm) which featured his annual Hymns & Pimms event. Lee spoke about his livestream sing-a-long (Hymns & Pimms) which he began during lockdown 2020. Did you notice the LP cover in the background (about 15:47 into the episode) of […]
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86th BIRTHDAY PARTY
Come and join us on TUESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER to celebrate 86 years of The Players' Theatre ClubAT: The CAA, Bedford Street, London (7pm-9pm) Tickets: £15 to include entertainment, slide shows and strip of raffle tickets. Food: will be available at an extra cost (yet to be confirmed)Further details will be available soon!
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Congratulations Sheila!
Congratulation to Sheila Bernette who, at our 85th anniversary show, won the luck prize draw of a meal for two at Oslo Court Restaurant! Sheila has performed many times at The Players over the years. In the 1966 video clip at The Players (‘A little of what you fancy’ documentary which actually came out in […]
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Watch this space!
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Next Members Evening
This will be our 86th Birthday Celebration at the CAA, Bedford Street on Tuesday 8th November (7-9pm). Details will follow soon!
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We are 'back home' at the Charing Cross Theatre!
We are delighted to let you know that we are ‘back home at the Charing Cross Theatre ! Please join us on Sunday, November 28th 2021 for a star studded anniversary music hall extravaganza, celebrating 85 glorious years!
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Eve of the Eve party - December 30th
We are delighted to resume our traditional ‘Eve of the Eve’ parties. The format will be as always. Bill Halson will assemble a galaxy of Music Hall artistes who will perform in the splendid Sovereign’s room at the Royal Air Force club (128 Piccadilly). Guests assemble c 6.30 and have half an hour in the […]
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Recent sad losses: Jenny Wren and Doreen Hermitage
In recent months two of the most influential and loved Players artistes, Jenny Wren and Doreen Hermitage, have passed away. Jenny was an absolute favourite of The Players' Theatre. She was beautiful and with a glorious soprano voice to match. Jenny had a very successful and varied career which included many West End appearances and, […]
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Our “Eve of Eve“ party was, as usual, a great success
Mr Laurence Payne was, as always, in fine form leading the orchestra, with Mr David Graham proving a very worthy chairman. We were delighted to see New Faces Misses Alice Ellen Wright and Maria Lara as well as Mr Philip Day, Miss Linda Watts, Mr Peter John, Mr Andrew Robley and Miss Faye Presto. It was, indeed a feast of festive fun!
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Our December show proved to be a real 'Christmas cracker'!
Under the commanding presence of our chairman Mr Kevin Gauntlett, with the orchestral accompaniment provided by Players’ favourite Mr Paul Smith, the show included one of our New Faces, Miss Alice Ellen Wright, who took us down Lambeth Way and reminded us of some of our favourite carols and got us into a Christmas mood!
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Don't miss Jan Hunt at the Ally Pally!
Our very own Jan Hunt is starring at the Alexandra Palace in 'The Magnificent Music Hall' on Wednesday October 30th at 2.30pm.
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Report on our September 22nd show
Our last show was, as usual a true feast of talent. Headlined by newcomers to the Players Ferris and Milnes, who had some of the audience on their feet with their superb harmonies . 30 Gershwin numbers in 6 minutes took our breath away! Before they took to the stage our wonderful “orchestra “ Paul […]
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Silver Sunday 2019
Councillor Christabel Flight, Westminster City Council's Older People's Champion, initiated the idea of Silver Sunday, which is now a special day in the national calendar when everyone can come together to celebrate older people: a day in the nation’s hearts where older people feel valued and are given new opportunities to get out of the […]
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Eve of the Eve
The idea of an Eve of the Eve event was conceived before the Players lost their theatre in the Arch beneath Charing Cross Station. The club had tried a New Year's Eve party in its old theatre, but a combination of demands for treble time wages, and the challenge of getting home, led to the […]
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Martin Milnes and Dominic Ferris to headline our September 22 show
We are delighted to announce that headlining our September show will be FERRIS and MILNES! Martin Milnes has royally entertained us in the past, often giving G & S a new slant! With the very talented Dominic Ferris at the piano they have a wide repertoire and a flavour of Flanders and Swann! They appeared […]
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New date for Jan Hunt at the Alexandra Palace
Please note that Jan Hunt's show 'The Magnificent Music Hall' has been moved to October 30th.
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Jan Hunt and Clive Greenwood updates
Our Creative Director, Jan Hunt, is embarking on her very own Spring Tour around the country and our regular Chairman, Clive Greenwood, is also touring with "Hancock's Half Hour".
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BMHS Day By The Sea 2019
The British Music Hall Society pays its annual all-day visit to the Seaside on Saturday June 1st Its star-spangled list of over 20 artistes includes our very own Peter John and Julia Sutton.
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Andy Eastwood update
Regular Players' guest artiste Andy Eastwood has just published his tour dates for the next few months on his website, including several of his own productions. Of particular interest might be 'Those Were The Days' at the Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch on 22 March and 'The Magnificent Music Hall' at London's Alexandra Palace Theatre on 10 […]
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On this day: 12th February - Marie Lloyd's birthday
Marie Lloyd, the 'Queen of the Music Hall', was born Matilda Alice Victoria Wood in London on 12 February 1870. She first appeared at the Eagle Tavern in London aged 15 as Bella Delmare, singing 'My Soldier Laddie'. By 1885 she had become Marie Lloyd with her hit song 'The Boy I Love is Up […]
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British Music Hall: An Illustrated History
Music Hall lies at the root of all modern popular entertainment. With stars such as Marie Lloyd, Harry Lauder and Dan Leno, it reached its glorious, brassy height between 1890 and the First World War. In the first book on this subject for many years, Richard Anthony Baker whisks us off on a colourful and nostalgic tour of the rise and fall of British music hall.
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Players' members say a fond farewell to the Royal Oak
With the retirement of Frank Taylor in December, our long association with the Royal Oak in Borough came to an end. We said farewell to this wonderful Victorian pub with a real Christmas Shebang! Laurence Payne got proceedings under way with a singalong, providing us with a terrific song sheet! He was later joined by […]
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The Cramped Old Days
A fascinating article describing the life of Players' artistes when contributing to The Good Old Days, the long-running BBC music hall show, with which the Players' was closely connected.
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Players' winter party 2018
This year’s end of year Players' Theatre music hall party will be held at the Royal Air Force Club at 128 Piccadilly and include a two-course supper and a two-half traditional Music Hall show. Artistes include Peter John, Eloise Irving and Martin Miles.
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Old time music hall in Sherborne, Dorset
Our forthcoming show on September 7th is attracting plenty of attention and we've been placing a few adverts here and there to help maximise the audience. Fire Radio and The Breeze Radio ads Old Time Music Hall in Sherborne On September 7th, we, (the Players’ Theatre Club) have been invited to pay a return visit […]
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Geoffrey Brawn - 1935-2018
It was with great sadness that we learned of the departing of Geoffrey Brawn in May. He had a long association with the Players and was, for a number of years its director. There is a detailed appreciation in the current edition of The Call Boy and his Telegraph obituary is attached.
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Don't miss Miles Jenner in 'If I Catch Alphonso Tonight !'
If I catch Alphonso, Tonight! is a play about music hall star Billy Merson. Our very own Miles Jenner plays Billy Merson and Roger Roser is on the piano. Billy Merson commenced his theatrical career as an acrobat and circus clown before going solo as a comedian. He composed and performed many songs – including […]
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Don't miss the Players' Theatre at the Feast of St George - 21 April 2018
Fairs, fetes, fun-days and festivals are an integral part of English culture, and Feast of St George perfectly fits the bill. On Saturday 21 April, there's no better excuse to wave a flag, enjoy tea, cake and great entertainment, all in the surrounds of iconic Trafalgar Square. The event promises a strong and varied live […]
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The Good Old Days
The Good Old Days is a BBC television light entertainment programme produced by Barney Colehan which ran from 1953 to 1983. It was inspired by the success of the "Ridgeway's Late Joys" at the Players' Theatre Club in London and was performed at the Leeds City Varieties, rereating an authentic atmosphere of the Victorian–Edwardian music […]
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Ellie Bamber: My Donmar debut will be relief after months of filming and modelling
Ellie Bamber – the talented young actress who memorably sang Father Dear Father at the Players’ 75th anniversary show, was featured in this week’s Evening Standard: Rising star Ellie Bamber is to make her Donmar Theatre debut in Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea. The actress and model, 20, says the role will be a […]
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Next members' evening - change of date
Please note that the next members’ evening has been brought forward to Monday, 23rd October at The Royal Oak, 44 Tabard Street, SE1 4JU 7pm to 9pm (note slightly later start time). The evening had previously been scheduled for October 31st.
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'East meets west' - another great success!
On Sunday afternoon 2nd July, aficionados of the Players attended their version of Sunday service in the crypt of the great Victorian church, St George’s, Bloomsbury. The crypt has been transformed into the Museum of Comedy, with fascinating artifacts, elegant seating and a lovely small theatre. Oh, and a bar where Players’ Members enjoyed a […]
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British Music Hall Society
Founded in 1963 by Ray Mackender and Gerald Glover, the British Music Hall Society, a registered charity, is for everyone who is a fan of Music Hall and Variety. The Society has all sorts of events, shows and talks as well as a Celebrity Lunch and an Annual Ball. It publishes a 36 page magazine, […]
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MEET ROY AND DEBBIE HUDD AT THE PLAYERS SHOW – 2nd July 2017
Roy & Debbie Hudd will be in the audience with us at the East meets West Show on 2nd July 2017. This will also be an opportunity for Roy to ‘officially open’ Johnny’s Corner at the MOC after the Show The Show commences at 4:00pm. To further ‘whet your appetite’ the artistes will include: Julia […]
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The Players' Theatre visits Dorset!
The Players' Theatre is putting on a special show in Sherborne, Dorset, on Saturday 22 April 2017 at 7.00pm. Produced by: Jan Hunt Venue: Digby Hall, Hound Street, Sherborne Raffle & Bar Tickets: £12 from Sherborne Tourist Information - 01935 815341 In aid of: Sherborne ArtsLink & WDDC Chairman’s Charities Sponsored by: Cllr T Farmer […]
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Oct 29th - Players' theatre show at Bearsted Parish Council
From the Bearsted Parish council website: The long and the short and the tall ... they were all there, as were almost 100 older members of the Bearsted community. The parish council rolled out the red carpet and hung up the bunting at the WI Hall for its over 60s, treating them to a free […]
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Players' Theatre Club
We have re-created the Players’ Theatre Club, and have merged our charitable company (The Players’ Joys) into a charity to provide a wider range of interests in the Entertainment and Educational field, the resulting company being renamed Entertainment Heritage. The revived club intends not only to present shows at regular intervals (see ‘Our shows’, but […]
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New Museum of Comedy
Martin Witts, proprietor of the Leicester Square Theatre, and a longstanding friend of the Players' Theatre, has just opened an exciting Museum of Comedy in Bloomsbury, London.
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Song and supper event on 23rd October - sold out!
Our joint song and supper event with the CAA on 23rd October has already sold out. Please visit our Shows page for other forthcoming events.
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