Comments on: Frances Mayhew, Wilton’s Music Hall

By: David Mason

David Mason — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:24:48 +0000

Hi, My name is David Mason, my Dad was the last Caretaker (part time) during the period of ownership of the Methodists, we live in a flat upstairs we move in, in the very early 1950’s my family were the only occupants. “living in,”the building during the time my family lived at “The Old Mahogany Bar,” East End Methodist Mission; I’m stating this categorically be cause it has been suggested their were other people squatting in the building, my father took his responsibility as caretaker seriously and wouldn’t have allowed squatters; my family moved out of these premises in about 1959!
Opposite the “Old Mahogany Bar” in Graces alley was a “WW II Bomb Site”going from almost Welclose Square to Ensign Street; not a particularly grand view, but I suppose as youngster’s it was just our normal!
Now I remember going to Levy’s the greengrocer in Royal Mint Street, as a youngster would these people with the same family name be related to you?

By: Sylvie Richards

Sylvie Richards — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:44:19 +0000

Hi Bryan. My grandparents lived at, I believe, No 7. As did I for a while. What would you like to know about the Ottolangui family.

By: Bryan Langley

Bryan Langley — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 14:25:05 +0000

This maight be a long shot but does anyone have any information about the Ottolangui family in Grace’s Alley?

By: tony levy

tony levy — Fri, 06 Mar 2015 13:32:35 +0000

Lorraine, the book was a self made effort, dad made it just for the family, only 10 copies were made , however phone me on 07860-715603, and we will sort something out. The freshwaters were mentioned as they were somehow connected to the family. dad and his four brothers and five sisters started life at No 1, and ended up at No 7 graces alley, that is what I am led to believe. Give us a bell, it would be nice to hear from you, be lucky, Tony Levy.

By: Lorraine Bashford

Lorraine Bashford — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 19:38:57 +0000

Hi Tony and Ruth,
My mum was born on Graces Alley (no. 7) in 1935. She had an older sister and brother who sadly passed away a few of years ago, but he would have been about the same age as your Dad. They were the McDonalds (Alec, Mary and Shirley) and were related to the Freshwater and Ottolangui families who also lived in Graces Alley.

I took my children last weekend to have a look around and show them their roots.

Where can I get a copy of your Dad’s book?

Best regards

Lorraine

By: tony levy

tony levy — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 13:14:40 +0000

My little sister above says it all, dad is very proud of his family roots, and I of him. As a young lad in the sixties, he took me back to see his birth place, which at that time had become a barbers shop, we were approached by some locals who remembered him, and all the levy clan,
dads memories are all documented in a book illustrated by his wife, Laura, and gives a first hand account of the life and times in the old east end for a large family surviving the poverty and anti-Semitism of pre war London. He was a witness to the battle of cable street. The family skeleton is the fact that one of our ancestors was one of the main suspects reputed to be jack the ripper, a one joseph levy. I am a grandfather now, and intent to take my oldest grandson to graces alley and show him his roots, and explain his family history. Dads mother Dinah used to play the piano in the ‘Old mahogany bar’ wiltons music hall.

By: Ruth Levy

Ruth Levy — Sat, 09 Feb 2013 15:38:30 +0000

My dad, Moss Levy, was born on Graces Alley in 1927 and grew up in a building which was demolished and is now flats round the corner. His parents were Dinah and Lewis Levy who had a stall in Petticoat lane (selling second hand false teeth!), worked in the docks and as a cigar maker. I visisted for the Cable Street Commemoration in 2011 and was moved to tears. Was it Wilton’s I saw in the recent ‘Dancing on the Edge’ by Stephen Poliakoff? Such good work: I can’t wait to visit again. My heartfelt best wishes.

By: isa

isa — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 08:23:01 +0000

just saw this article and well done Frances although it does seem aworrying problem re drain probs.I do hope you get the funding you need.I do understand ones need to preserve the glorious building so good luck.

By: David Walker

David Walker — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:01:36 +0000

What a wonderful piece of history in such a well-written (and much needed) article. Even across the pond, spaces like this demand our attention.

By: Nota Bene

Nota Bene — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 11:58:55 +0000

I absolutely love this place…it’s a hidden gem and such a fantastic building. Saw The Divine Comedy there earlier this year. Well done for writing about it….it has such an interesting history. And even more well done to Frances Mayhew!