HERBERT CAMPBELL, the famous Music Hall Comedian and Drury Lane pantomime star has his final resting place restored
We are pleased to announce that we have recently restored the final resting place of the great Music Hall Comedian and Pantomime star HERBERT CAMPBELL (1844 – 1904) at Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington.
Over the course of 107 years, the elegant white marble headstone, hidden in the undergrowth which marks Herbert Cambell's final resting place has naturally suffered with time and the huge impressive pink granite obelisk, erected by his devoted friends, which stands directed behind Herbert's headstone (yes he actually has two memorials), once stood proud amongst the hundreds of other illustrious memorials at Abney Park Cemetery but with the passing of time, the obelisk had toppled off its plinth and the front section of his memorial had sunk deep into the earth.
Brambles and ivy seem determined to conceal Herbert’s memorial but on Saturday 26th November 2011, a small team of professionals, headed by CLIVE SEARS, expertly manoeuvred and positioned a huge winch in the overgrown cemetery and successfully raised Herbert's obelisk off the ground and secured it back onto its original plinth. The front section was also raised and put back into place and now the great Herbert Campbell’s memorial stands proud again amidst the faded grandeur of Abney Park.
Our special thanks go to: CLIVE SEARS, DAVE GRACIE, MATTHEW WYLDE, MATTHEW SEARS for all their hard work and dedication, everyone at The Abney Park Trust, especially John Baldock, John Price, Paul Weigand and David Solman who have been so supportive to our aims and extra special thanks go to Herbert Campbell's family.
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COMEDIAN BEN BROWN (1848-1926) COMMEMORATED
The music hall comedian Ben Brown ( 1848 - 1926 ) has been honoured by us with the erection of a commemorative blue plaque at his former home in Crystal Palace.
Ben Brown, celebrated for his association with the minstrel comedy act of Brown, Newland and Le Clerq was also a star of pantomime.
His second daughter was none other than the celebrated Music Hall, Vaudeville, Theatre and Movie actress Cecilia Loftus, whose mother was Marie Loftus.
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PLEASE OFFER YOUR SUPPORT AND MAKE A DONATION TO HELP US ERECT A FITTING MEMORIAL TO THE GREAT QUEEN OF THE MUSIC HALL CHORUS SONGS
MISS FLORRIE FORDE
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THE GREAT MARIE KENDALL COMMEMORATED
On Sunday 25th September 2011 we commemorated one of the greatest stars from the golden age of Music Hall, Miss MARIE KENDALL with the erection of a blue plaque at her former home at Okeover Manor, Clapham Common.
The event was blessed with sunshine and the presence of two of Marie Kendall’s granddaughters, Kim Kendall (sister of the late Kay Kendall) and Fiona Kendall-Lane, both of whom made the day so very, very special.
Kim Kendall, star of the shows Me And My Girl and Sweetheart Mine, alongside the great Lupino Lane, had travelled from the United States to unveil her grandmother’s plaque with one of Marie’s great granddaughters Lavinia Kendall and we were also pleased to have other members of the Kendall family present.
In addition, the brilliant Michael Crawford OBE, who is currently starring as The Wizard of Oz at the London Palladium, took time out of his busy schedule to show his support to Marie as well as the fabulous Barbara Windsor, who dedicated her entire Good Old Days slot on the Elaine Paige Radio 2 show to playing Marie’s songs
Many friends travelled from far and wide to be present at the unveiling, including the lovely Sarah Lupino Lane, Stephen Kendall-Lane, Eastender’s actor Michael Leader, actresses Sue Avory, Sally Avory and Jessica Grant, actor/producer Richard Field, Lesley Elson(the great granddaughter of Gaiety Theatre star Edmund Payne), Miss Jayne Blowey, Mr Peter Speechley, Miss Tina King, Miss Geraldine Taylor, Lin and John Carter, Mr John Rattray of The Balham Society and many others.
The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America are very grateful to the residents of Okeover Manor for their terrific support for without them this magical event might never have taken place.
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THE GREAT LUPINO LANE REMEMBERED
On Tuesday 10th November 2009, exactly fifty years to the day, we marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of the late great actor, singer, comedian, acrobat, eccentric dancer and author LUPINO LANE with a Memorial service at St Paul's (The Actors Church) in Covent Garden, London and a champagne reception at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
In recognition of Lupino Lane's enormous contribution to our cultural heritage we arranged for his memorial stone and final resting place at Streatham Park Cemetery to be restored.
The memorial service included a scripture reading by The Reverend Roger Royle and a eulogy was given by Neil Morkunas, Chairman of The Music Hall Guild.
A personal and emotional tribute was given by Lupino Lane's granddaughter Sarah Lupino Lane and great granddaughter Jessie Colquhoun read from Lupino Lane's book, "How To Become A Comedian."
Patricia Lupino-Thompson, whose initial support to help bring our memorial service and restoration project together, also read a fitting tribute.
West end actress Jessica Martin, who played Sally Smith in the London revival of Me and My Girl, brought a tear to the eye with her beautiful rendition of "Once you lose your heart" and there were further tears and heartfelt applause as the voice of Lupino Lane rang throughout the Church. Singer Olivia Brady sang a poignant interpretation of the Charlie Chaplin song "Smile"and Jonathan Faint led the congregation in a rousing version of "The Lambeth Walk". Brilliant pianist Alan Mills provided the perfect accompaniment.
Guests included Sheila King (Lupino Lane's secretary), Annette Lupino, Janet Lupino, the late Jack Seaton, west end actress Norma Dunbar, Johnny Dennis, the late Dominic Le Foe, the late Phyllis Childs, Sheila Bernette and members of the British Music Hall Society and The Grand Order of Water Rats.
The event also brought together cast members of the London 1980's revival of Me and My Girl including Anthony Dawes, Lorraine Chase, Jessica Martin, Ursula Smith, David Streames, Audrey Leybourne, David Alder, Rob Rawles and award winning choreographer Gillian Gregory.
Click on the pictures above for images of this great event.