On this page you can find out more about the project which ran from September 2011 – September 2013.
The project worked with the unique collection of Music Hall texts, scores and memorabilia owned by the Suffolk-based actor and historian Roy Hudd.
The project enabled local volunteers to be recruited and trained and the archive to be catalogued and made available for research and use. An exhibition of selected archive materials was open to the public from 14 – 31 August 2013 at Ipswich Town Hall, attended by 3,000 people and toured to other venues in Norfolk and Suffolk.
The project was directed by Suffolk New College, led by Suffolk-based heritage consultants Oakmere Solutions Ltd and supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The project catalogued onto a spreadsheet all the song sheets and posters in the collection and some of the supporting material including autograph books.This is available to search here.
Examples of song sheet covers and posters from the archive are available to view here
Visitors to the exhibition shared fascinating memories - read all about them and see more photographs here.
21 February 2013: 20,000 songsheets and counting
15 August 2013: Heritage Lottery Fund Excitement at launch of Hudd Music Hall Archive Exhibition
27 August 2012: BBC Radio Suffolk 'Song and Supper' A fascinating documentary telling the story of the Hudd Music Hall archive was broadcast at 12 noon on Monday 27 August 2012 by BBC Radio Suffolk. The programme ' Song and Supper' explored the importance of the Music Hall as a form of popular culture and the importance of the archive established by the actor and comedian Roy Hudd over many decades.
For further insight into the fascinating history of the Music Hall, why not also read British Music Hall historian Max Tyler’s, ‘The Story of the Music Hall.’ (pdf download)