Today marks 125 years to the day since The Clapham Grand first opened its doors as a palace of varieties in South London, and to celebrate, the landmark venue has announced a one-night-only live spectacular taking place on 29th January 2026.
Created and produced in-house by The Grand’s creative team, this show will be a fast, funny and heartfelt theatrical journey through the venue’s extraordinary history, from its Victorian music hall origins to its present-day place as one of London’s last independent variety venues.
Supported by Wandsworth Council and the Mayor of London, and hosted by Jayde Adams, A Palace of Varieties will blend original performances, comedy, cabaret, drag, music, archive moments and a touch of joyful chaos, the show will celebrate The Grand’s legacy of resilience, reinvention and radical joy, all in front of an audience made up of friends, former staff, artists, community groups and long-time fans.
First opened in 1900 by music hall star Dan Leno, The Clapham Grand has survived two World Wars, multiple pandemics, cinema booms, bingo busts, licensing changes and near-dereliction. Its stages have seen it all from music hall legends like Marie Lloyd, to drag royalty, alt cabaret, pop icons and boxing matches featuring everyone from Harry Houdini, Morecambe and Wise, Nick Cave, Oasis and Dua Lipa to Bianca Del Rio and Bimini. Periods of decline have always given way to creative rebirth, with the venue constantly adapting to the changing tastes, technologies and formats of live entertainment.
Though the financial pressures remain real, The Grand is thriving in spirit, content and creativity, with programming that centres on joy, inclusivity, and shared cultural experience.
The 125th anniversary is also part of Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture 2025, with a section of the evening dedicated to the area’s vibrant cultural history. Throughout the year The Grand has supported local initiatives including the Battersea Jazz Festival, Battersea Photography Competition and the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, celebrating the work of disabled creatives in the city.
The show will be a love letter to London with a cast featuring a kaleidoscope of Grand favourites, local legends, drag artists, comedians, cabaret acts, choirs, and surprise guests, all bringing to life iconic moments from the venue’s 125-year history. Blending scripted scenes, musical numbers, archive footage and spontaneous silliness, the show will honour the venue’s past while celebrating the wild, wonderful mix of entertainment it’s known for today.
Tickets can be purchased for a minimum of £10, with guests being invited to donate whatever they can towards the Grand Restoration Fund. Contributions from the birthday bash will go towards vital restoration and refurbishment work in the Grade II listed building.
To mark the anniversary, The Grand has also appointed its first ever Artist-in-Residence: award-winning photographer Jennifer Forward-Hayter, whose work blends documentary and staged imagery. Her residency will capture a year in the life of the venue, from the mundane to the marvellous, creating a living archive of life at The Grand in all its eccentric glory.
The Grand is a truly magical venue with a fascinating history, and as its current custodians, we’re incredibly proud to be telling its story as we celebrate 125 years. People have fallen in love on our dancefloor, discovered incredible new talent on our stage, and found a safe, inclusive space within our walls. From hosting global superstars to supporting grassroots communities and charities, the euphoria of last-minute football wins & the heartbreak of penalties to the last ever episode of Friends - The Grand has always been there for life’s biggest moments. It felt only right to create a celebration that brings the community and our audiences together for a show that only our own team could stage. We have researched the rich history of the Grand and will be showcasing it with the right level of glitter, confetti and cheeky repertoire to make Dan Leno proud.” Ally Wolf, Venue Director of The Clapham Grand
“We’re so delighted to be celebrating 125 years of one of Wandsworth’s most iconic venues during our London Borough of Culture year. For over a century, The Clapham Grand has been a home to Wandsworth’s artists, and a place where residents from all walks of life come together to celebrate the joy of live performance and feel part of a community. This is at the heart of our ambitions for our year as we celebrate our cultural heritage, and share joyful experiences that foster togetherness, boosting our health and happiness.” Wandsworth Council Deputy Leader Kemi Akinola.
For 125 years, The Clapham Grand has delivered memories, music and magic. It has stood as a beacon of resilience and community spirit, setting the standard for visionary entertainment. It’s exciting that this major milestone falls during Wandsworth’s year as the Mayor’s London Borough of Culture. This anniversary event will be a fitting tribute to The Grand as it continues to light up London’s cultural heart and inspire generations to come, as we build a better and fairer London for everyone. Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries.
The anniversary season will continue into Spring 2026, adding new shows and special events to The Grand’s already packed programme.
