The Glorious Days of Music Hall & Variety Theatre in Kent's Seaside Resports

Music halls and variety theatres were a popular and regular form of entertainment at England's County of Kent seaside resorts ̶ from Sheerness, around the coast to Seasalter, Whitstable, Herne Bay, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Sandgate and then Lydd, during the period from around 1860 to the 1920s and 1930s. Although the main coastal towns such a Folkestone, Ramsgate, Margate and Sheerness were able to attract, and pay, many of the best national and international stars that could fill 1,000 - 1,800 seat halls, many of them often having a history dating back to the 1860s, 1870s and 1880s, the smaller 600-seat Kent seaside venues had their own touring acts that moved from town to town around the coast, often supplemented by well-know local entertainers. Between these two different types of venues, there were literally hundreds of less well-known or very specialized performers and acts (both human and animal) of almost infinite variety ̶ including many that would be frowned on today, or would not even be bookable in theatres in the 21st century ̶ that often toured theatres during the summer season and, for some, the added bonus of winter tours and the annual Christmas pantomimes. This book presents the results of extensive historical research, documenting the history of many of the Kent music hall and variety theatres around the county's coast, how they evolved and eventually adapted to a new world of cinema, dance and big bands, as well as documenting much of the rich variety of human and animal acts that delighted audiences in these big and small venues. It is hoped that readers will be equally fascinated and interested to learn and understand more about these music hall and theatre venues, and the artistes and acts that performed on the county's stages as a living.