"Was this Piano played by Charles Chaplin Senior?"

While wandering around Vauxhall I popped into 'The Jolly Gardeners' for a drink. While chatting with the barmaid she told me that the piano, standing forlorn in the corner, was played regularly by Charles Chaplin Senior. 

I have to say that I was a bit disbelieving about this titbit of information, considering the state of the instrument and the lack of a plaque. Still, it was something that I would research later, just to see if there was any truth in it.

Although Charles Chaplin Senior was a music hall entertainer, beginning his career as a mimic, at the age of 24. Soon after he changed his act to that of a 'dramatic and descriptive singer'.

He was never inclined to learn an instrument, and I can find no evidence that he could play the piano.

He toured the United States of America, in 1890, and continued to pull in the crowds until 1897. His last appearance was at the Granville Theatre, Waltham Green, in 1900.

So far there is no information that suggests that this piano was played by him.

But... hang on.

Many of those in the music hall industry became alcoholics, as they were expected to encourage customers to purchase drinks. This was what happened to Charles.

His son, Charlie Spencer Chaplin, wrote in his memoirs that he would often wait outside public houses, where his father, being an alcoholic, could always be found.

It is known that Charles Chaplin drank in many of the local pubs, including the Queen's Head and The Three Stags, the latter of which is where Charlie states in his memoirs, "That was the last time I saw him alive."

The Jolly Gardeners is located close to the Queen's Head, so it is entirely possible that Charles drank here, entertaining the customers by playing the piano.

The only information that I can find, that states that Charles Chaplin Senior played this piano, comes from the website for The Jolly Gardeners:

"...the borough was dominated by the Doulton buildings and pottery factory near to the river end of Black Prince Road. The Jolly Gardeners would have been a spit and sawdust kind of place where the potters would have a pint or two after a long shift. One of the renowned local entertainers, Charlie Chaplin Snr, played the piano in the corner (which still stands), and part of his job was to boost the place’s profits by encouraging punters to stay for another drink."

So, there you have it. It is a plausible story, but I can find no hard evidence to support it, except for the forlorn piano in the corner... which is the only object that knows the truth.

If the providence could be authenticated then this would make for a remarkable piece of music history, that should be celebrated. 

But, for now, this piano needs to be looked after, possibly even moved to a more secure location, within the pub, to prevent further damage.

Until then, if you are on Black Prince Road pop into 'The Jolly Gardeners' and check out what could be a small piece of music history.

There are many other places related to the Chaplin family, situated throughout this area, including the Charlie Chaplin mosaics on Lambeth Walk.