The Handsomest Room in Town (Wilton's Music Hall)

Member Name: Chelle1969

Product:	Wilton's Music Hall
Date:	03/06/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The history and the faded beauty

Disadvantages: Needs donations to save it

Wilton's Music Hall in London's East End is a truly magnificent building. It's the oldest and last surviving Grand Music Hall in the world - yes, the world! It's still being used to hold concerts, plays, talks and the occasional music hall variety show, but it's falling into disrepair and for some time a campaign has been under way to save Wilton's. I first went there to see singer Marc Almond perform, a venue which incidentally is perfect for his style of chanson and torch song, and just fell in love with the place.

History
In 1858 John Wilton built the music hall behind his pub 'The Prince Of Denmark' (with it's locally famous Mahogany Bar) by buying up a row of terrace houses in Graces Alley, knocking them through and creating the hall where the back yards had been. Wilton's was described as the "Handsomest Room in Town" and played host to the likes of Gerorge Leybourne (Champagne Charlie) and top artistes of the time from Covent Garden. When John Wilton died in 1880 the music hall continued for a few years but was then taken over as a Methodist mission until 1956 during which time it also served as a shelter in the blitz if WW2. After a successful campaign led by Sir John Betjamin in 1964 Wilton's was given a Grade II * listing to save it from demolition. In the years since the building has been neglected and is now semi derelict, only 60% is safe to open to the public - hence the campaign to save it before it becomes too far gone.

The Music Hall
Step inside Wilton's from the tucked away little side alley and it's like stepping back in time. In the auditorium you get a real sense of the history of the place as much of the interior is original including the cast iron 'barley sugar' pillars holding up an ornate papier-mâché balcony. Paint is peeling off the walls, plaster is missing but the faded glamour all adds to the atmosphere. To get an idea of the place visit
www.wiltons.org.uk/virtual-tour for a fantastic virtual guided tour.

Looks familiar? It should, Wilton's has appeared in all sorts of films and TV such as The Krays, Richard Attenborough's Chaplin, DeLovely, Tipping the Velvet, Tom Cruise was filmed there in Interview with a Vampire, The Importance of Being Earnest, Woody Allen's Cassandra's Dream and Annie Lennox's video No More I Love Yous,

Wilton's Today
In it's heyday Wilton's music hall crammed 1500 people in to see shows, today they have a licence to seat 300 which makes it a wonderfully intimate space to see a show or concert. The original Mahogany bar area is still being used to serve drinks and refreshments to guests, and probably hasn't changed much since John Wilton's day. Prices are reasonable and not over-inflated for both performances and refreshments, which is a nice change for a London venue.

As well as a constant line-up of concerts and shows, which can be booked directly from Wilton's web site, they also run guided tours of the building at a cost of just £5 - helps boost the coffers. The space can also be hired our for weddings and functions, they hold many local community events and they have recently started a free cinema club.

Several million pounds is still needed to help save Wilton's (donations can be made via the web site) and so I like to get to as many events there as I can, and I know other people who feel the same. It's the sort of wonderful place that once you've been there you become a part of Wilton's history and feel the need to get involved.

Wiltons Music Hall
Graces Alley
Off Ensign Street
London, E1 8JB

Tel: 020 7702 9555
Box Office: 020 7702 2789

More information can be found at: www.wiltons.org.uk/

Summary: It mustn't be allowed to disappear, it's an important part of London's history