Not currently on display at the V&A

Illustrated poster advertising the programme at the Bower Theatre, 11th and 13th August 1866

Playbill
1866 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Bower Theatre in London's Stangate Street, Lambeth, formerly known as the Bower Saloon, was originally attached to the Duke's Tavern and operated as a place of entertainment from 1837 until 1878. During the 1850s when owned by Victor Hazelton it made its name for the production of melodramas starring dogs. This poster features woodcut images which were particularly good for attracting the attention of passers-by, especially those who couldn't read, when they saw them on the streets. The clientele of the Bower Theatre, which advertised itself in the 1860s as 'the only theatre for the working classes', would have included many of those, attracted by low ticket prices, action-packed productions including melodrama, farce and nautical drama, and the availability of alcohol, the sale of which was a popular feature of 19th century theatres like the Bower that styled themselves as saloons.

Victor Hazelton owned and managed the theatre from 1855 until 1876.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleIllustrated poster advertising the programme at the Bower Theatre, 11th and 13th August 1866 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Printing ink on paper; letterpress and woodcut
Brief description
Illustrated poster advertising the programme at the Bower Theatre, 11th and 13th August 1866. Woodcut and letterpress printed by E.J. Bath
Physical description
Poster advertising the revival of two favourite dramas at the Bower Theatre on 11th and 13th August 1866 under the ownership and management of Victor Hazelton of 43, Upper Marsh, Lambeth. Printed in blue ink on white paper, illustrated with a woodcut image of scenes from Dred, a Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp incorporated in its lettering, and listing the scenes. Cast members are listed as Mr. D. Richardson, Mr. Frank Gordon, Mr. J. Gardiner, Mr. Alfred Raymond, Mr. F. Hazleton, Miss Ada Sinclair and Miss Brooke. Also advertising Belphegor the Mountebank! starring Mr. Alfred Raymond as Belphegor, Mr. D. Richardson, Mr. J. Gardiner, Mr. Frank Gordon, Mr. J. Barrett, Master Hemmings, Mr. J.W. Warlow, Mr. F. Hazleton, Miss Brooke, Miss Rose Ellington, and Miss Hemmings
Dimensions
  • Height: 68.8cm
  • Width: 43.5cm
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Summary
The Bower Theatre in London's Stangate Street, Lambeth, formerly known as the Bower Saloon, was originally attached to the Duke's Tavern and operated as a place of entertainment from 1837 until 1878. During the 1850s when owned by Victor Hazelton it made its name for the production of melodramas starring dogs. This poster features woodcut images which were particularly good for attracting the attention of passers-by, especially those who couldn't read, when they saw them on the streets. The clientele of the Bower Theatre, which advertised itself in the 1860s as 'the only theatre for the working classes', would have included many of those, attracted by low ticket prices, action-packed productions including melodrama, farce and nautical drama, and the availability of alcohol, the sale of which was a popular feature of 19th century theatres like the Bower that styled themselves as saloons.

Victor Hazelton owned and managed the theatre from 1855 until 1876.
Collection
Accession number
S.325-2016

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Record createdJune 30, 2016
Record URL
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