Two hundred years ago, in 1824, The Bedford Arms Tavern and Tea Garden opened in Camden Town on a site that would serve as a centre of entertainment until the middle of the 20th century. As Music Halls gained in popularity, the first Bedford Theatre was built in 1861 and this was succeeded by the grander Bedford Palace of Varieties in 1899. Both the ‘Old’ and ‘New’ Bedford were sketched and painted by Walter Sickert. 

This talk will tell the story of The Bedford in its various incarnations from song-and-supper room to Music Hall, cinema and repertory theatre. Though we can mourn the fact that it’s no longer standing today, we can recall The Bedford with a look at some of the acts you might have seen there in its heyday, and hear memories of local Camden residents who were taken to The Bedford as children.

Danny Nissim has worked as a producer of music videos and TV documentaries. His other local history projects have included a talk about films shot in Camden, and a film about the 1960 St Pancras Rent Strike.  The event was recorded and is available on https://youtu.be/ASMCNaB2o18.