Join Ada Campe and The London Archives for an evening of stories, song, and treasures inspired by London’s music hall and cabaret nightlife.

Join us after hours at The London Archives for an evening of mischief, music, and theatrical invention as award-winning variety artiste Ada Campe brings London’s rich entertainment past back to life in a bespoke performance.

Having delved into strongrooms and stacks, Ada unearths the world of music hall, revue, and popular performance in the early twentieth century—a vibrant landscape of larger-than-life personalities, comic turns, and radical creativity born out of the Music Hall stages and a shifting new century. Drawing inspiration from figures such as Elsa Lanchester and the lively culture of venues like the Cave of Harmony in Seven Dials, she conjures a world where tradition meets experimentation, and where performers pushed the boundaries of humour, style, and social convention.

Expect a playful blend of comic song, eccentric character, storytelling, and a touch of magic, all delivered in Ada’s gloriously unpredictable style. From the heyday of music hall to the shifting entertainment scene of the 1920s and beyond, the evening centres on a spirited exploration of how Londoners entertained and (re)invented themselves on and off the stage, complemented by a handful of lively short talks and the opportunity to view a carefully curated display of archive material from the period up close.

Part cabaret, part comedy, and part historical fantasia, this is an after-hours archive experience at The London Archives like no other—where voices, stories and spaces of the past linger among the shelves, and Ada Campe animates them and introduces you to them with wit, warmth, and irrepressible charm.

About the Artiste:

Ada Campe is an award-winning cabaret performer, variety artiste, comedian and magician. She regularly hosts and performs across the UK comedy and cabaret circuits and at events and festivals - including for Glastonbury, the Wellcome Collection, The Magic Circle, Comedy Club 4 Kids, and the V&A. Solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe include Ada Campe and the Psychic Duck (2019), Too Little, Too Soon (2022), Naval Gazing (2023) and Big Duck Energy (2024).

Winner: Top of the Bill (Hackney Empire New Act of the Year Show, 2018), Leicester Square Old Comedian of the Year (2018), Good Egg Award (Stand Comedy Club, 2019), Best Panto Performance (Offie Awards, 2024), and Best Supporting Artist (UK Pantomime Awards, 2026)

Visit Ada's website: http://www.adacampe.com/

What to Expect at the Event:

This event will be taking place in-person only at The London Archives.

Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event finishes at 8.30pm.

The London Archives will close at 4.30pm, and will reopen for ticket holders at 5.30pm.

The event includes a one-off display of related documents from the archives, Lightning Talks, and a live performance.

This event will have a paid bar.

Provisional Schedule:

5.30pm – Doors open - Paid bar, document display and informal networking

6.10pm – Welcome and introduction

6.20pm – Lightning talks and Q&A

6.55pm – Interval - Paid bar, document display and informal networking

7.15pm – Live performance by Ada Campe

8.15pm – Encore and closing remarks

8.30pm – Event concludes

Special Offer:

Early Bird tickets are available at a discounted price of £20 until 11.59pm on 15 September 2026. (Full price tickets are £25).

Find Out More about Music Hall:

Music Hall | The London Archives

London Picture Archives - Gallery of Music Hall images

Theatres and Music Halls in London - Research Guide | The London Archives

About The London Archives:

The London Archives is a free public archive focusing on the history of London, from 1067 to the present day. We preserve and share millions of historical manuscripts, maps, photographs, books which tell the story of the city. Everyone is welcome.

You can find us in central London in Clerkenwell, close to Farringdon Station - details on our Getting to The London Archives webpage.

Description supplied by the event organiser.