Equidistant from Aldgate East and Tower Hill lies an absolute jewel or nearer a chipped diamond hidden away. Lost down Graces Alley is the world's oldest and last surviving grand entertainment venue Wilton's Music Hall
Wiltons has been entertaining Londoners since 1850s There are rumours that even the first ever can-can was performed and promptly banned there but The Mahogany Bar is even older and was built around 1725. Its in quite a bad state nowadays but in In 1964 the poet Sir John Betjeman campaigned to make Wilton's a listed building to save it from demolition. It was given Grade II status and the support of famous names such as Laurence Olivier, Peter Sellers, Rory Bremner and Liza Minelli. The auditorium still remains intact and is used regularly for all sorts of events including; theatre and comedy nights, vintage fayres and even ping-pong tournaments!
You can help save the charity by becoming a 'Friend' or 'Patron' or just by popping along to the events!
The interior is beautifully romantic and mostly original, for example they still have the original cast iron 'barley sugar' pillars, which support a papier-mâché balcony under paper roses set in a vaulted roof.
"In its founder John Wilton's day, 1,500 people would cram into the hall to hear the top acts – artistes from Covent Garden were lured over in full costume to perform late night favourite arias. Today the hall has a licence to seat 300 people. In 1828 it was luxuriously and elaborately refurbished with a magnificent mahogany bar and fittings which was unprecedented for a pub interior at that time and earned the nick-name that is still used today." - http://www.wiltons.org.uk/
Every Monday they showcase vintage sounding bands and cabaret artists, these are free and informal evenings of live music in the bar. Look out for extra events too as live music spreads to other nights throughout the week.
Food: Food can be served before performances but its best to check their site. If not they welcome you to order take-away from a local take-aways - just ask the bar staff and have it delivered to your table! -Amazing stuff!
Prints: Prints have been donated to Wiltons over the years and are available for purchase, your money will go towards saving the building.
Prints: Prints have been donated to Wiltons over the years and are available for purchase, your money will go towards saving the building.
Postcards and t-shirts are also for sale.
Other Rooms: There are more rooms to Wilton's Mahogany Bar than just the main space. The Green Room is open to everyone also from Monday to Friday with a Ping Pong table.
How can you read all that and not be pulling on your lace and tophats?? You simply have to go!
Opening Times: Monday - Friday, 5pm until 11pm
(unless there is a show on during the weekend or planned closures, Check the website for details)
0 comments:
Post a Comment