Music hall

Music hall

The term generally refers to a form of entertainment deriving from song-and-dance and recitation shows of early 19th century public houses in England.

As venue

Originally music hall was a literal reference to the hall used for musical and other presentations in a tavern, but these gradually developed into gilt-and-plush “palaces” devoted to comic songs, varied with acrobatics, conjuring, juggling, and dancing. These "temples", "palaces" or "theatres" intended to host such variety shows were called music-halls in England and France. (In the USA the term Variety - and later Vaudeville - were appended to the name of a hall.) Large numbers of music halls were built in England in the second half of the 19th century.

As form of presentation

The term music hall also came to refer to the form of presentation. A rich tradition, it exists even today, though in vastly smaller numbers than in its heyday. (Hartnoll, 19**) Like its American counterpart, Vaudeville, it refers to a variety show consisting of a number of contracted acts, or “turns”, including songs, dances, acrobatic displays, comic turns, male/female impersonators, etc. Became extremely popular toward the second half of the 19th century, also in South Africa. Numerous music hall artistes were brought from England to perform in the colonies.

Vaudeville and Variety

These terms are the American equivalents of the British and French Music Hall.

Music hall in South Africa

This tradition really took hold round about the 1880’s whant a number of entrepreneurs opened variety establishments in Cape Town and elsewhere, though interesting enough often using the American terms as well. Among the notables are ****, **** and *** Harry Stodel, who ran the Empire Palace of Varieties in Cape Town****

Return to South African Theatre Terminology and Thematic Entries

Return to Main Page