Not currently on display at the V&A

Vilikins and Dinah Quadrille

Sheet Music
ca. 19th century (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This sheet music for the Vilikins and Dinah Quadrille, dance music arranged by Jules Normann from the original song, is illustrated with an engraving of the diminutive ballad singer, actor and comedian Frederick Robson as the character Jem Bags, the bedraggled Cockney street singer that he played in the one act farce The Wandering Minstrel at the Olympic Theatre in May 1853. The song Villikins and his Dinah (or Vilikins and his Dinah) that Robson sang as Jem Bags at the end of the farce became the hit of the season and became known in English speaking countries around the world. The Musical Bouquet published this image on the ballad song sheet and the dance music arranged from it.

Robson (1821-1864) who was born in Margate Thomas Brownhill, became a star of the Olympic Theatre and eventually one of its managers. He had a great talent for burlesque, or performances that parodied the originals, and one of his starring roles was his imitation of Adelaide Ristori as Medea. He became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who invited him to Windsor Castle for several command performances.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleVilikins and Dinah Quadrille (published title)
Materials and techniques
Chromolithograph, ink on paper
Brief description
Sheet music for Vilikins and Dinah Quadrille, arranged by Jules Normann, published by Musical Bouquet, ca. 19th century
Physical description
Music sheet for Vilikins and Dinah Quadrille.
Dimensions
  • Front cover height: 34.5cm (approx)
  • Front cover width: 25cm
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Summary
This sheet music for the Vilikins and Dinah Quadrille, dance music arranged by Jules Normann from the original song, is illustrated with an engraving of the diminutive ballad singer, actor and comedian Frederick Robson as the character Jem Bags, the bedraggled Cockney street singer that he played in the one act farce The Wandering Minstrel at the Olympic Theatre in May 1853. The song Villikins and his Dinah (or Vilikins and his Dinah) that Robson sang as Jem Bags at the end of the farce became the hit of the season and became known in English speaking countries around the world. The Musical Bouquet published this image on the ballad song sheet and the dance music arranged from it.

Robson (1821-1864) who was born in Margate Thomas Brownhill, became a star of the Olympic Theatre and eventually one of its managers. He had a great talent for burlesque, or performances that parodied the originals, and one of his starring roles was his imitation of Adelaide Ristori as Medea. He became a great favourite of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who invited him to Windsor Castle for several command performances.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.2852-2013

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Record createdMarch 11, 2014
Record URL
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