Previous patrons included Des O'Connor, Sir Ken Dodd and Val Doonican.
The society was created following the demise and demolition of The Metropolitan Theatre, Edgware Road and other music halls in the early 1960s, coupled with Mackender and Glover's awareness that this period of performing history was being forgotten.
The first of what was to become a regular monthly meeting of the society took place on 7 January 1964 at the Garrick Hotel, Charing Cross Road, London, with Ada Reeve as the guest of honour.
Since 2014, the society has held an annual one-day event, Day by the Sea at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre, Eastbourne, featuring comedy, music, discussion and film footage.
The society holds an extensive archive with photographs, posters, sheet music, playbills, programmes and the personal items of many artistes including Marie Lloyd, Little Tich, Max Miller, Florrie Forde, Ida Barr, Hetty King and Harry Tate.