Not currently on display at the V&A

Poster

1915 (possibly) (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster one of the items in the archive of the aerialist and variety performer Pansy Chinnery (1879-1969). She carefully collected a wide range of items relating to her career including posters, playbills, newspaper cuttings, hooks and pulleys, printing blocks and costume. Born in Suffolk, England, Pansy Chinery began her career with The Zedora Sisters, billed as Alar the Flying Arrow. The troupe went on tour with Barnum and Bailey's Circus for their 1897 tour, when she was shot from a giant crossbow high above the circus ring.

Later she performed on the variety stage, touring mostly in England with troupes called The Mars Trio, Leighton & Lindford, and Ritz and Ritz and The Uniques, specialising in comic acrobatic and gymnastic acts. Like all popular variety acts in the early 19th century, the troupes had a gruelling schedule, appearing widely in variety theatres across the country. They were usually booked at each theatre for a week, and travelled on Sundays.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
letterpress, paper
Brief description
Poster advertising the Variety programme at the People's Palace, Portsmouth, for the week beginning Monday 10 May (possibly 1915), featuring Ritz & Ritz. Letterpress. Pansy Chinery Collection. Gift of Ralph Chinery.
Physical description
Letterpress-printed poster or playbill in red and black typeface on yellow paper advertising the Variety programme at the People's Palace, Portsmouth, for the week beginning Monday 10 May (possibly 1915). Programme featuring Ritz & Ritz [gymnastics / dancing / teeth spinning]; Sing Sing the Ko-Ko, the Chinese Entertainer; Jay Bee [comedy], and May Templeton [vocalist].
Dimensions
  • Height: 75.9cm
  • Width: 25.1cm
Credit line
Given by Ralph Chinery
Summary
This poster one of the items in the archive of the aerialist and variety performer Pansy Chinnery (1879-1969). She carefully collected a wide range of items relating to her career including posters, playbills, newspaper cuttings, hooks and pulleys, printing blocks and costume. Born in Suffolk, England, Pansy Chinery began her career with The Zedora Sisters, billed as Alar the Flying Arrow. The troupe went on tour with Barnum and Bailey's Circus for their 1897 tour, when she was shot from a giant crossbow high above the circus ring.

Later she performed on the variety stage, touring mostly in England with troupes called The Mars Trio, Leighton & Lindford, and Ritz and Ritz and The Uniques, specialising in comic acrobatic and gymnastic acts. Like all popular variety acts in the early 19th century, the troupes had a gruelling schedule, appearing widely in variety theatres across the country. They were usually booked at each theatre for a week, and travelled on Sundays.
Collection
Accession number
S.56-1991

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Record createdMay 17, 2007
Record URL
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