In the late 1930s, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Southampton Albion Silver Band returned to Southampton’s old Palace Theatre for another unusual theatrical engagement.
The Band appeared for a full week in a production depicting peace celebrations beneath Big Ben. On this occasion the musicians wore their own Band uniforms and appeared under the special name “The Big Ben Brass Band.”
It was one of several memorable theatrical engagements undertaken by Albion during this period. The Band had previously appeared at the Palace Theatre in the variety show The Big Surprise, performing in full guards-style regalia, and had also appeared at the Hippodrome alongside the famous entertainer Vesta Victoria.
These engagements demonstrated the versatility of the Albion musicians and formed an unusual part of the Band’s busy pre-war life in Southampton.