See also Surrey Theatre.

See also Surrey Music Hall, Kennington.

W B Fair (Winchester proprietor from 1878 to 1880) recalled in one of his Evening News collums 1909/10, that Jenny Hill, Arthur Lloyd, Herbert Campbell and Chirgwin all supported him at his testimonial benefit.

Above information courtesy John Earl.

Winchester Music Hall, London, in Southwark Bridge Road. This was originally a 'saloon' attached to the Grapes public-house, which became known as the Surrey Music-Hall. When on 15 July 1856 the Surrey (Garden) Music-Hall opened in the Surrey Zoological Gardens, the older hall changed its name to the Winchester.

Right - Surrey Music Hall in 1854 - From a handbill.

It was run by Richard Preece and his son from its opening until 1878, when it was demolished after a brief period under W. B. Fair, famous as the singer of 'Tommy, Make Room for Your Uncle'. The VOKES family made their first appearance in London at the Winchester, which was also known as the British Saloon and the Grand Philharmonic Hall, and many famous music-hall stars began their careers there. The Surrey (Garden) Music Hall had a short life, as it was burned down in June 1861. A building on the site, used by St Thomas's Hospital until 1872, was then remodeled as a music-hall and used until 14 Aug. 1877, when it closed. It was demolished a year later.

Above text from The Oxford Companion To Theatre 4th edition 1983

Extract from 'Old & New London' 1897

...At the corner of Great Suffolk Street and Southwark Bridge Road stands Winchester Hall. This is neither more -nor less than a concert-room of the ordinary music-hall type, and is attached to a public-house which originally bore the sign of "The Grapes" Close by this spot, in former times, were some well-known pleasure-grounds. They bore the name of Finch's Grotto Gardens, and were situated on the west side of Southwark. Bridge Road. They were first opened as a place of public resort about the first year of the reign of George III. Here Suett and Nan Cuttley acted and sang, if we may trust the statement of John Timbs, who adds that the old Grotto House was burnt down in 1796, but soon afterwards rebuilt, a stone being inserted in its wall with the following inscription:

"Here herbs did grow
And flowers sweet;
But now 'tis called
St. George's Street."

"Within my remembrance," writes Mr. John Reynolds in his agreeable work, 'Records of My Life,' "there was a place called Finch's Grotto Gardens, a sort of minor Vauxhall, situated near the King's Bench Prison. There was a grotto in the middle of the garden, and an orchestra and rotunda. The price of admission was sixpence, and the place was much frequented by the humbler classes..."

Old & New London - 1897

Thanks go to John Earl for pointing out that the Grand Philharmonic Hall, later Winchester Music Hall, was absent from my site, and supplying the necessary information to include it.

 

 

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