Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Black Music Hall Performers

The black presence in music hall entertainment is often overlooked, so I was interested to come across a report of a show at the South London Palace, a Victorian music hall in London Road (north of Elephant and Castle). One night in September 1889 the bill included 'J.H. Maxwell, negro comedian and one-armed juggler' and 'Bennett and Harley, negro comedians' (South London Observer, 29.9.1889). Anybody know anymore about them?
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1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hi, I’ve just been looking at Middlesex Music Hall posters where my great grandfather is the chairman , Gus Leach. And on one of the bills is Will Gilbert, negro comedian - and my grandfather was called Will and my father had Gilbert in his name! I would love to know more about Will Gilbert

30 January 2021 at 14:44

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