The forerunners of the first music halls were the "song and supper rooms" that began to appear around the 1830s. Here, in a more respectable environment than an alehouse or tavern, middle class gentlemen could smoke, drink and dine while entertainers, often comic singers, would do their "turns." The Eagle Tavern, which still stands in 2010 as the Eagle Pub, was the first to add a room, The Grecian Saloon, specifically for musical entertainments. According to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the first purpose-built music hall theater was Canterbury Hall in Lambeth, London, which seated 700 at tables, and served food and drink.
Purpose-built theaters had been a London feature from before Shakespeare's day and again after the restoration of the monarchy in the 17th century. British music halls differed from conventional theaters because patrons could eat, drink and smoke during the performances. The form of entertainment became so popular that by 1856, Charles Morton, owner of Canterbury Hall, more than doubled its size to 1500 seats. He also encouraged women to attend on Ladies' Thursdays--though the "ladies" more often than not were prostitutes, giving the music halls a vulgar reputation. By 1875, according to documents in the Victoria and Albert Museum, greater London had 375 music halls. Among them were The Oxford on Tottenham Court Road and The Alhambra.
Marie Lloyd, who made her debut at age 15 at the Grecian Saloon of the Eagle Tavern, was known as the "Queen of the Music Hall." Her career lasted 40 years. She was famous for her energy and bawdy songs. Max Miller was an outrageously dressed character comedian. His act was known for its saucy innuendo and sentimentality. Vesta Tilley was a male impersonator. She began as a singer and impressionist but eventually declared, "I felt that I could express myself better if I were dressed as a boy." Her famous song, "Burlington Bertie," tells the story of a man-about town who parties all night. She also performed as a judge, a soldier and a clergyman.
Marie Lloyd, who made her debut at age 15 at the Grecian Saloon of the Eagle Tavern, was known as the "Queen of the Music Hall." Her career lasted 40 years. She was famous for her energy and bawdy songs. Max Miller was an outrageously dressed character comedian. His act was known for its saucy innuendo and sentimentality. Vesta Tilley was a male impersonator. She began as a singer and impressionist but eventually declared, "I felt that I could express myself better if I were dressed as a boy." Her famous song "Burlington Bertie" tells the story of a man-about town who parties all night. She also performed costumed as a judge, a soldier and a clergyman.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, new theaters were purpose built for variety entertainment. These entertainment palaces featured chandeliers, velvet seats and ornate decoration. The bar and refreshments were in a separate room. Rather than seated at tables, the audience sat facing the stage in fixed auditorium seats. Part of the character of the old British music halls had depended on audience participation, barracking and sing-alongs. As the number of elegant Edwardian theaters such as the Empire in Leicester Square, The Palace, the Coliseum and the London Hippodrome grew, women from polite society and families became a bigger part of the audiences. Gradually, traditional music hall gave way to variety shows. These remained popular in British cities and seaside resorts until pushed aside by television light entertainment.