Wilton's is more than just an arts venue and heritage site, it's part of the history of East London and it's really important to us to be a part of this community. Meet our weekly walking group - made up of people who have lived here all their lives, chosen to move here, or love visiting. We also introduce you to David Graham who runs all our Learning and Participation projects full of ways to get involved - from family fun days to workshops and choirs. Find out more on our website: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/learning/1

British Music Hall has a long history of queer artists and it's a legacy that we hold dear to us today - from Drag Story Time to pantomime dames. LGBT artists are just one part of our varied programme and commitment to improving diversity in the arts. In this episode we talk to Wilton's associate artist Christopher Green about his latest project based on the life of Fred Barnes, the openly queer music hall star; Jessica Walker discusses discovering Suzy Solidor - singer of lesbian love songs and a self-made business woman in war-time Paris; and our Executive Director Holly Kendrick shares her view on diverse programming.

Christopher Green's new project based on the life of Fred Barnes comes to Wilton's in 2018, sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of our website to get the announcement first: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/

From Christopher Green's The Singing Hypnotist to time travelling magical duo Morgan & West, our magical community is going strong, but it goes back a lot further. In this episode Max talks to Chris Green about the crossover between science and performance and what we can learn from the earliest hypnotists such as Anne De Montford, and Morgan & West talk low quality ghosts and Victorian spiritualism.

Morgan & West are here with More Magic for Kids next April: http://bit.ly/2yFD5Qf

As well as world class theatre productions, Wilton's hosts concerts, gigs and music performance throughout our programme. In this episode, meet some of the members of our Music Hall Choir - keeping the songs of the East End and the Music Hall era alive with locals like Barb. We also talk to Tricity Vogue - the leader of her All Girl Swing Band inspired by Ivy Benson.

In this episode some of the characters from Wilton's tell stories from our recent history.

How did Spike Milligan come to discover some of the items now in our archaeological archive? How did the Mahogany Bar become the favourite local drinking hole for staff at The Sunday Times? What's it like stage managing tigers on the set of Frankie Goes To Hollywood's 'Relax'? And what could have been - an amusement park called Wilton's World...

Find out more about our history and explore our archive on our website: https://www.wiltons.org.uk/heritage/archive

Meet Carole, Wilton's Historian and hear about some of the women who played an important role in Wilton's history - from trapese artist Madame Senya to Jenny Hill and her feminist songs of working class women.

In this episode, Max also talks to Alison - a volunteer at Wilton's who has music hall running through her veins and Holly, the Executive Director, talks about diversity in theatre and showcasing the exceptional talents of women in the sector.

Michelle meets some of the cast of the National Youth Theatre's 50th anniversary production of Zigger Zagger to talk about its continued relevance, and gets an exclusive interview from actor Ian Redford about his time in the original production.

6th - 9th September: http://bit.ly/2nOGDuF

We talk to Jessica Walker about delving into the world of Suzy Solidor, and turning her story - of going from illegitimate Breton girl to owner of a popular self-named cabaret club, the most painted woman in the world and an internationally-touring artist singing lesbian love songs - into an immersive play.

All I Want Is One Night is here 27th June - 1st July: http://bit.ly/2lu0UVe

Musical comedian Adam Kay discusses the life and work of satirical song-master Tom Lehrer, and why he's chosen to recreate his songs for his latest show, The Remains of Tom Lehrer, 20th - 24th June: http://bit.ly/2lNBdBI