The Funniest Man in London – Wednesday 11th January 2023, 7.30pm

A lecture by BMHS member Anthony Binns with a slide show presentation on the life of H.G. Pélissier, music hall and concert party entertainer and founder of The Follies at Highgate Society on January 11^th 2023. Tickets available here 

The talk is based on the newly-published biography of H.G. Pélissier, entitled The Funniest Man in London, now Times newspaper critic Quentin Letts’ ‘Book of the Year’ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/times-writers-favourite-books-of-2022-3qmvh6q0n and available for purchase from all good bookshops, Amazon and from The-Funniest-Man-in-London| Pélissier’s Follies (pelissiersfollies.com)

Don’t Forget the Pierrots: Seaside Follies on the Prom – free talk on Tuesday 13th December

As part of the Society for Theatre Research (STR) lecture series, Tony Liddington will be talking about pierrot troupes on Tuesday 13th December at 7.30pm.

The pierrot troupes grew from a single idea into a major international cultural industry, which boosted morale and national identity during the UK’s times of crisis. Tony Liddington will draw upon his 2022 book – “Don’t Forget The Pierrots!” The Complete History of British Pierrot Troupes & Concert Parties, which is the first scholarly exploration of this popular performance form and its heritage.

Further details can be found on the STR website here.