Attention should also be drawn to the work over many years of The Players Theatre Club ~ various venues but mainly "underneath the arches" in Villiers Street, alongside Charing Cross Station ~ which kept the Music Hall tradition alive for many years, with the 'Chairman' exchanging badinage with the audience, and a variety bill of singers, comedians, and novelty acts; just like the old-time music-hall. Real 'variety' ~~ it was the first place I ever heard the distinguished folksinger Isla Cameron, who sang "Fair & Tender Girls' unaccompanied, & got so much applause she was called on for an accompanied encore by the Chairman and sang 'Johnny Todd' with the full [4-piece!] orchestra.

See the excellently informative wikipedia article at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Players%27_Theatre

~Michael~