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Les Molasso, dancers, at the Oxford, London, 1902
The Oxford music hall, London
‘Les Molasso are two ladies and two gentlemen who waltz with a very tremendous energy indeed. The ordinary ballroom waltz with which they opened their entertainment had little or nothing remarkable about it except the graceful movement of the dancers, but when they warmed up to their work and swung each other round with one hand and at arm’s length it was a little consoling to reflect that the old style of waltzing will still be de rigueur at forthcoming dances this season. If the dances introduced by Les Molasso were to become popular in our suburban circles every gentleman would be expected to have his biceps tested by an expert before being admitted to the ballroom.’
(The Tatler, London, Wednesday, 15 October 1902, p.113b)
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The Rotunda Music Hall, London
‘Which was the first London music-hall, and where was it? This is a question we have often been asked to answer, and we believe there are many of our readers who would like the knotty point decisively settled. But before doing so we would ask them the exact meaning that they wish to convey when they use the word "music-hall." If they refer to the little tap-rooms and harmonic free-and-easies the reply is one impossible to give, for there have existed such places where songs have been given and even a temporary chairman appointed from time immemorial, certainly since the days when the Monarchy ousted Puritanism in England [in 1660], and when the mirthful King [Charles II] ruled over his loyal but bibulous subjects. If, on the other hand, the questioners refer to the first hall where money had to be paid for admission, we can easily give them their answer.
‘The first music-hall, in the correct meaning of the term, was the old Rotunda Assembly Rooms, which were situated on the right-hand side of the Blackfriars Road, in close proximity to the Bridge. There is no doubt that this was not only the first hall where admission money was demanded, but it was also established many years before any other place of entertainment was opened upon the same lines. More than that, it was a "going concern" before this present [19th] century sprang into being, for here and there are to be found scant records concerning the Rotunda while George IV. ruled over England.
‘The company engaged at the old Rotunda - which, by the way, is not mentioned by [John] Timbs [Club Life of London; with anecdotes of the Clubs, Coffee-Houses and Taverns of the Metropolis during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, London, 1866] as one of the famous old hostelries of Southwark, so, probably was not built until 1750 - was an excellent one of its kind, though its strength lay scarcely so much in its quantity as in its quality. Amongst those who delighted the patrons of this ancient hall of wit and comedy was the celebrated [Charles] Sloman, who styles himself "the only English improvisatore," but we should nowadays term him an "extempore vocalist." He was a great favourite in his day, but after many years’ popularity fell upon evil times, and died on July 21st, 1870, his last appearance in public being at Gatti’s (Charing Cross). He was a song writer of some ability, and thought himself possessed of a powerful voice, which he had not. Sloman appeared at the old Rotunda as far back as 1829.
‘Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Wilde, duettists and dancers, the father and mother of the famous Dan Leno, were also frequently amongst the company who used to amuse patrons of the Rotunda, which was in its zenith one of the favourite haunts of the gay young sparks of the town, and which was the frequent resort of that jovial "set" which had for one of its members no less a personage than the Prince of Wales, merry Prince George [Prince Regent, later George IV].
‘The proprietor of the Rotunda during many of its best days were Mr. Wallis, of Wallis and Wood, but after owning the property for some years he sold it to Mr. Wood, of Wood and Bennett.
‘Some twenty years ago the Rotunda changed its name to the Bijou, and continued its successful career as a music-hall, though in a lesser degree, and catering for a different class, until 1884. At the commencement of this year we find it advertised as "The Bijou Music Hall, 58, Blackfriars Road. Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Harry Wallace." At this time the programme consisted of thirteen "turns," made up of sketch artistes, topical vocalists, negro comedians, serios [ie. serio-comic singers], musical acts, and comic singers.
‘But the decline of the Rotunda had commenced years before, even when the large and more commodious halls had been erected, and its end came, though in quite an unexpected manner.
‘The proprietor for the time being was satisfied with the income he was earning; indeed, it is said by some people that he contemplated enlarging the hall to accommodate a greater number of his patrons, which the authorities came down with all their legal power and promptly closed the hall. The reason for this proceeding was not at first apparent, but it is believe it was on account of a cock fight having been allowed to take place in the building. But, whatever was the reason, the fact remains that the old Rotunda, which for close upon a hundred years had been the resort of an evening of all who were willing to pay a modest sum to witness a good programme; which had in its reign of popularity administered amusement, of the kind its patrons best liked, to the nobles and the aristocracy, and in later years to the more common populace; which was the very first music-hall established in the Metropolis; was closed for ever, and shops are now erected on its site.
‘Such in the history, as far as the few records left can assist one to ascertain, of the old Rotunda Assembly Rooms, the pioneer, the forerunner of our present luxurious and palatial theatres of varieties.’
(C.D.S., The Variety Stage London, Saturday, 20 June 1896, p.6c)
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The Bijou Music Hall, 58 Blackfriars Road, London
bill for the week beginning, Monday, 7 January 1884
Harry Oscar, topical vocalist
Sisters Noir, duettists
Louie Hill, sentimental [vocalist]
Allen and Killyard, negro and sketch artists
Violet Valentine, serio
The Musical Wallaces, Harry, Kate and Evelyn, in a new entertainment
Rose Godfrey, serio
Florrie Pankhurst, sentimental [vocalist]
Alice Adair, serio-comic
Snow and Streetling, negro comedians
Ethel Dimsdale, serio-comic
Amy Cave, serio
(The Entr’acte, London, Saturday, 5 January 1884
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