Step inside Brick Lane Music Hall, and you step into another time — one filled with laughter, song, and the golden glow of community spirit. At the heart of it all is Vincent Hayes MBE, the founder and lifelong champion of Britain’s music hall tradition. This year, his much-loved festive production The Magic of Christmas returns, blending nostalgia, comedy, and carols with dinner or afternoon tea for the perfect seasonal escape. We caught up with Vincent to talk about tradition, belonging, and why the magic of music hall still shines so brightly in 2025.
Brick Lane Music Hall’s festive show, The Magic of Christmas, has become a true London tradition. What makes this year’s production stand out, and what can audiences expect from the 2025 edition?
In addition to the comedy, we have six outstanding vocalists, so this year there will be an emphasis on the songs that are at the heart of Christmas for all of us, and we also have the extraordinary violinist, Victoria Yellop. This show will really get people ready to go out and enjoy the holiday season.
You’ve spent decades preserving and evolving the spirit of the British music hall. What first drew you to this form of entertainment, and why do you think it continues to resonate today?
I was first drawn to music hall through my appearances at the Player’s Theatre in Charing Cross – it was known as the ‘pink tunnel’ as it was formally a railway arch under the tracks, but the creative directors made it into an iconic venue, where you could smell the atmosphere as you walked in. I loved the audience participation and their involvement with the artists onstage – to me that was theatre in its highest form, and I’ve always wanted to recreate that magic. I think it still resonates today because people love a sense of community, of belonging, of familiarity. Music hall is unique in the opportunity it gives for participation. Everyone watching the show becomes one.
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The atmosphere at Brick Lane Music Hall is so unique — a mix of cabaret, comedy, and community. How do you capture that warmth and sociability in every show?
By always making the audience the star of the show. We are always aware that they are paying for us to be able to do what we do. The audience’s experience starts from the second they walk in – from the friendliness of the staff, to the quality of the food, to the cleanliness of the toilets. So we try to make them feel welcome and at home right from the moment they arrive – well before the show starts.
This year’s programme includes everything from classic carols to Christmas pop hits and film soundtracks. How do you approach blending nostalgia with fresh, contemporary touches?
We are reliant on our really creative Musical Directors who come up with our unique arrangements. Music hall is all about the familiar, the arrangements might be fresh and new, but it is really important that the melodies retain a familiarity, especially at Christmas
Food and performance go hand in hand at Brick Lane Music Hall — from Christmas dinners to afternoon teas. Why is that combination of dining and entertainment such an essential part of the experience?
Travelling to a theatre is often arduous, and often because of the start times of the show, it doesn’t leave a lot of time for a relaxed dining experience. Music hall, in my mind, has always been a combination of the three three elements – eat, drink, and be merry. Once people have had their meal, they’re much more relaxed to be able to enjoy the show.
You began performing in a Bethnal Green pub before opening the UK’s only permanent venue dedicated to music hall. Looking back, what were the biggest challenges — and proudest moments — on that journey?
Managing the Lord Hood was a hugely rewarding experience. It was a building that had been derelict and was off the beaten track. By hard work and endeavour, it became a success, and was packed. It was probably one of the only pubs in London where people used to ring up to see if they could get in. But it didn’t make any money – it was too small and their overheads were too high. But it gave me the idea that I could take an empty building and get people to come. So when I saw a building as part of the old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane that had been empty for over 20 years – I thought I could do it bigger and better here. There were lots of challenges – getting round all the legislation, licensing laws, there was a petition at one point to close us down – but it was a proud moment when we got huge support from established artists of the day – Danny La Rue, Barbara Windsor – who were prepared to ply their trade in a former canteen.
You received an MBE for your services to British Music Hall in 2013. What did that recognition mean to you personally, and how has it shaped your mission since?
I was born in Galway, and moved over to London with my family as a child. As a result I felt Irish in England and English in Ireland. As an immigrant to this country, the award gave me, for the first time, a real sense of belonging, and a recognition that I’d been accepted. I’ve been on the same path regardless – it’s what I do, and that’s never changed.
For audiences who’ve never experienced Brick Lane Music Hall, why do you think The Magic of Christmas is the perfect introduction — and what keeps you inspired to bring the show to life year after year?
Music hall originally evolved as a way of people escaping their everyday woes for a few hours! We want people to come through our doors and be transported to another world, not just with the show, but the building itself and the genuine warmth of the welcome. What better time to come than when we can celebrate together in time honoured fashion? In many ways, Christmas is the highlight of our year.