As Sam Vagg (1827-65) he was a chimney sweep but as Sam Collins he was an "Irish" singer. In 1862 he took over the Lansdowne Arms, turned it into a music hall and renamed it after himself. Sam died young but 'Collins' survived. Rebuilt in 1897 it was wrecked by fire in 1958. Only a shell remained and in 1963 all but the front elevation was demolished.
The 1958 film 'Davy' is set largely in this theatre, and is, mainly, filmed at the actual location. See ArthurLloyd for details.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Collins Music Hall
Equestrian performer and circus proprietor. Born Newcastle under Lyme. Aged 17 he joined the 15th Light Dragoons where he developed an exceptional ability breaking and riding horses. Discharged as ...
Character actor. Born Edinburgh. Only became a professional actor aged about 30. Worked in Shakespeare at the Old Vic and then spent the 1950s making many British films, such as the 1954 The Belles...
Merged with the Heritage Foundation.
Actor, comedian and singer. Born in Hackney. He used his short stature and malleable features to create a popular comic persona. On stage he was often partnered by George Grossmith junior. See ther...
Journalist. At art school in York in the 1940s she won a competition organised by Vogue which was the start of her career as a journalist. Investigative reporter on the Evening Standard in the 60s....
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