Comments on: Music Hall Stars Of Abney Park Cemetery

By: John Wells

John Wells — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 11:54:10 +0000

I have recently found out that my great grandfather, Walter Harley, was a sand dancer at Collins Music Hall. I wondered if you had any information on him? He is buried in Abney Park cemetery.

By: Jude

Jude — Sun, 07 Aug 2016 11:07:58 +0000

I did this fabulous tour with my daughter last summer. Highly recommended.

By: Bob Davenport

Bob Davenport — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:33:11 +0000

St Pancras & Islington Cemetery has music-hall artistes too:

https://studiedmonuments.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/lottie-collins-ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay/

https://studiedmonuments.wordpress.com/2015/12/07/j-h-stead-the-perfect-cure-2/

Bob

By: Sonia Murray

Sonia Murray — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 18:10:57 +0000

Lovely article! When I visited my mother in Camden Town, she invariably pointed out the house on the corner of Jeffreys Street and said “That’s where Marie Lloyd lived!” I think Marie is buried at Hampstead, could be wrong. Are the music hall group doing any work on graves there? I’d love to see a picture of the lady who sang “A Little of What You Fancy Does you Good!” and of her grave!

By: Margaret Robertson

Margaret Robertson — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 12:17:51 +0000

Truly grateful for the insight into the demise of some of the big artists of their day. I always have had a passion for the Music Hall, and have enjoyed the period so much so, that I’m convinced I spent a previous life around the Halls.

I also love the serenity of cemeteries.

Thank you for giving me much pleasure and enjoyment.

Margaret Robertson

By: Donna

Donna — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 11:41:55 +0000

I actually came to London from Canada in 2015 to visit Abney Park Cemetery to pay my respects to my Great Grandmother (Cordelia (nee Shearing) Craig Byerley 1853- 1937) who was laid to rest in Abney Park. Thank you Gentle Author for that memory of that wonderful visit a year ago, thank you for your blog and especially for sharing your knowledge of the East End.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 10:32:42 +0000

We once attended a performance (Off Broadway) of “Norma Vep” and it was the most rollicking “quick change” version of a Victorian music hall melodrama. It was so exaggerated in the most wonderful way, and the small theater absolutely shook with side-splitting laughter.
Whatever cares the audience brought in the door were quickly banished — such
joy, loud guffaws, and just-plain-fun. Looking at these marvelous photos, above, brought it all back. Laughter is wonderful medicine — and ohboy we need it NOW.

By: Hilda Kean

Hilda Kean — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 09:38:22 +0000

Love the idea that Albert Chevalier et al share their final resting place with the severe founders of the Salvation Army (as well as Bronterre O Brien of the Chartist movement).

By: Shawdian

Shawdian — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 06:06:41 +0000

Sad that so many of these talents died so young. I did an exam on The Old Music Hall’s of London and was fascinated by the robustness of these performers acts. In my teen days I visited the Leeds City Varieties Theatre, a beautiful original Victorian Theatre still as it was from the day it was built all gold paint and plush red velvet. I would sit in the tiny theatre and dream of all those old vintage stars who had graced that stage doing thier bawdy lively acts as the old compare up in his box encourages the audience of which we all had to dress in period style clothing which made the shows feel even more authentic. I hope it still goes on today, I left my home town years ago and your feature has brought back some lovely memories of family outings to the Victorian Variety shows. Thank you.

By: vanda

vanda — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 05:50:00 +0000

So nice to see that I am not the only person who enjoys the solitude and beauty of old cemeteries. If I ever have the opportunity or in the financial position to visit the UK, visiting cold cemeteries will be on the top of my list. Thank you Gentle Author for your enjoyable articles.