A rare magical experience of bygone entertainment not to be missed, it will stay with you long after!

Enjoy a unique evening of entertainment featuring glass slide lantern projections, accompanied by live piano music with Costas Fotopoulos. Renowned performers Jeremy and Carolyn Brooker from the Magic Lantern Society return for a third year for another captivating performance, specially devised for this evening. Before the main event, view our current exhibition and explore a one-off curated display of documents relating to Christmas. A drink and a mince pie are included in your ticket!

What to expect:

6.45 - 7.30pm - LATE VIEW: (browse our displays at your own pace)

Visit our 'Londoners on Trial (https://www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/exhibitions/londoners-on-trial)' exhibition before the main event starts.

In addition, don't miss the special document display - for one night only - with a curated display of archival materials related to Christmas.

7.30-8.30pm - MAIN EVENT: MAGIC LANTERN SHOW

This year the themes will relate to elements of London and Crime in connection with our exhibition and also with a festive Christmas mood!

8.30pm - An opportunity to view the projector up close afterwards

8.45pm - Event Ends

About the Magic Lantern Show:

The show will feature an authentic triunial (or Triple) magic lantern combining three projectors in a single device. This is the most complex and rarest form of magic lantern entertainment creating fast-moving shows featuring the most spectacular effects the lantern can produce. Carolyn and Jeremy Brooker (https://www.magiclantern.org.uk/lanternists/lanternist.php?lanternist=35) have been performing together for over 20 years to perfect this demanding art.

Live musical accompaniment will be provided by acclaimed silent film pianist Costas Fotopoulos (http://www.costasfotopoulos.com/). Costas is based in London and works internationally as a composer and arranger for film, the stage and the concert hall, and performs as a concert, silent film and jazz pianist.

See what the performance was like last year: https://www.thelondonarchives.org/blog/past-performance-magic-lantern-show (https://www.thelondonarchives.org/blog/past-performance-magic-lantern-show)

Special offer: Early Bird tickets are available at a discounted price of £15 until 11.59pm on 11 September 2026. (Full price tickets are £18).

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, letters, books and films 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 (https://www.thelondonarchives.org/visit-us/getting-here).

Description supplied by the event organiser.