Handbill
1923 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This handbill advertises a variety programme at the Palace Theatre, Bradford, in 1935. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. Subsequently he appeared on his own as 'the Whistling Ploughboy', which was his billing at the Palace Theatre, Blackpool, in June 1912. He went on to form a double act with his wife Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. They appeared together at Bradford where they shared the top of the bill with Bert Weston 'The Inebriate Idiot'. They are described as 'Presenting Mirth, Mimicry and Voice-throwing in a delightful scena'. One of their later acts was entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' and included mimicry of birds, animals and children.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. Subsequently he appeared on his own as 'the Whistling Ploughboy', which was his billing at the Palace Theatre, Blackpool, in June 1912. He went on to form a double act with his wife Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. They appeared together at Bradford where they shared the top of the bill with Bert Weston 'The Inebriate Idiot'. They are described as 'Presenting Mirth, Mimicry and Voice-throwing in a delightful scena'. One of their later acts was entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' and included mimicry of birds, animals and children.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Letterpress on paper |
| Brief description | Handbill advertising the Variety programme at the Palace Theatre, Bradford, for the week commencing 9 September 1935, featuring Arthur Astill (1887-1962) & Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978), and Bert Weston. |
| Physical description | Typographic handbill printed in black on blue paper advertising the programme at the Palace Theatre, Bradford, for the week commencing 9 September 1935. Featuring Arthur Astill (1878-1962) & Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978), Bert Weston 'the inebriate idiot', the Two Blue Cheats 'variety's greatest surprise', Enrico Bertocchi 'the popular Italian tenor', Red Fred 'daring feats on the unicycle', Arthur James & Lady 'novelty dancing and contortion scena "Cruising"', Harry Marsh 'new burlesque comedian', and the 3 Swift Brothers 'variety's latest vocal harmony trio'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Arthur Astill |
| Summary | This handbill advertises a variety programme at the Palace Theatre, Bradford, in 1935. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety. Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. Subsequently he appeared on his own as 'the Whistling Ploughboy', which was his billing at the Palace Theatre, Blackpool, in June 1912. He went on to form a double act with his wife Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. They appeared together at Bradford where they shared the top of the bill with Bert Weston 'The Inebriate Idiot'. They are described as 'Presenting Mirth, Mimicry and Voice-throwing in a delightful scena'. One of their later acts was entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' and included mimicry of birds, animals and children. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.5020-2009 |
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| Record created | March 29, 2010 |
| Record URL |
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