About this Event
Join us for a captivating journey through Islington’s streets, uncovering the hidden histories of remarkable women who shaped the borough’s entertainment scene. Meet us at Angel Tube Station as we set off on a tour to rediscover the women who first carved their space in London’s cultural landscape.
Our first stop is the site of the Grand Philharmonic Hall, once a bustling venue of music and theatrical grandeur, where we’ll explore women’s overlooked roles in Islington’s social and cultural heritage. From there, we’ll head to Collins Music Hall, a stage where 19th-century women like Marie Lloyd and Katie Lawrence (depicted in the painting above) held power shaping music hall traditions and entertaining crowds with their wit and talent. Don’t miss a glance at Gracie Fields’ own residence on Upper Street!
The tour continues to the iconic Royal Agricultural Halls (now the Business Design Centre), where pioneering artist Thérèse Lessore saw, and later painted, the New World’s Fair Circus. We’ll dive into her circus-themed work and discuss the female artists often forgotten in the art history books.
En route to Sadler’s Wells, we’ll pass the historic Old Red Lion, a site once alive with boxing matches and music hall revelry, before arriving to celebrate the legacy of Ninette de Valois and Lilian Baylis, who revolutionized British dance and theatre.
Come walk with us through Islington’s streets and be inspired by the women who entertained and influenced London from behind the curtain and centre stage.
Practical information: tour will last approximately 90 minutes and will end in a historic pub. Please dress appropriate to the weather.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Angel, Islington High Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 10.00