Islington’s vibrant music and theatre scene can be accredited to something quite peculiar – its water supply! Islington, home to many underground springs, eventually led to growth in agricultural pursuits and travellers attracted to the rural energy the 18th century Islington possessed.
This growth in demand created a burst of cultural activity ranging from firework displays to music halls. One prominent music hall still standing today exists in Islington Green – the Collin’s Music Hall. Adorned in gold, blue and terra cotta, the building was once considered one of the prettiest music halls in London. Collin’s Music Hall was first established in 1863 and has been reconstructed several times, even being destroyed in a 2008 fire. Now, the music hall exists as a repurposed Waterstone’s bookstore, with current plans to renovate the lower floors as a basement theatre space, a homage to its history.
Visitors should feel free to come in and take in the historical significance whilst perusing a book. And remember that this building represents a cultural bloom originating from a very strange source – Islington’s own water supply.
Written by Chenoa Colaco
