Not currently on display at the V&A

Astley's Amphitheatre

Print
ca. 1861 (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Print of Astley's, ca. 1861.

First theatre opened in 1780; burnt down in 1794. Second theatre re-opened in 1794; burnt down in 1803. Third theatre re-opened in 1804; burnt down in 1841. Fourth theatre re-opened by Batty in 1842; the equestrian circle discontinued in 1863; Ada Menken appeared in 1864 as Mazappa. Finally demolished in 1895. The site is occupied by a block of flats with a garden in the rear, which apparently corresponds to the area of the old theatre. (In 1873 it was opened by Sanger as the Grand National Theatre).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleAstley's Amphitheatre
Materials and techniques
Engraving on paper
Brief description
Print of Astley's, ca. 1861
Physical description
The print features a scene at Astley's. In the foreground are an equestrienne, the Clown, and the Ringmaster. Above is an audience box with several small children with an man who is probably their father, and a teenage couple. A silk playbill is lying on the edge of the box while one of the boys appears to be eating an apple.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15cm (approximately) (Note: This is the height unmounted. The mounted height is 24.5cm.)
  • Width: 9cm (approximately) (Note: This is the width unmounted. The mounted width is 18cm.)
Marks and inscriptions
'An evening at Astley's'
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Place depicted
Summary
Print of Astley's, ca. 1861.

First theatre opened in 1780; burnt down in 1794. Second theatre re-opened in 1794; burnt down in 1803. Third theatre re-opened in 1804; burnt down in 1841. Fourth theatre re-opened by Batty in 1842; the equestrian circle discontinued in 1863; Ada Menken appeared in 1864 as Mazappa. Finally demolished in 1895. The site is occupied by a block of flats with a garden in the rear, which apparently corresponds to the area of the old theatre. (In 1873 it was opened by Sanger as the Grand National Theatre).
Collection
Accession number
S.1121-2015

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Record createdJuly 1, 2015
Record URL
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