麻豆社

Described by some as the 鈥淰era Lynn鈥� of World War One; Gertie Gitana was born in Stoke-on-Trent and became a music-hall star, entertaining people at the home front and injured soldiers in hospital.

She did a lot of fundraising for the war effort, including selling studio photographs of herself and holding signings. Gertie also recorded several songs before and during the war and saw a number of them appropriated and altered by soldiers. Her legacy also includes being 鈥淐ockney Rhyming Slang鈥� for a banana!

Music hall was one of the dominant entertainments of WW1, primarily for the working class and, as well as entertainment, was also used for propaganda and recruitment. It saw increasing competition from the rising importance of cinema during the period.

Location: Gitana Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST1 1DY
Signed photograph of Gertie Gitana (left), courtesy of John Booth. Gertie鈥檚 songsheet (right), courtesy of Ray Johnson
Presented by Allen Cook