Poster
mid 20th century (printed)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Typographical posters such as this were typical of the advertisements for variety theatres in Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Variety developed out of music hall and, like its predecessor, provided a number of entertainers on one programme. As small music halls gave way to the large variety theatres built by profitable concerns such as Moss Empires, the type of entertainment on offer became more ambitious. Variety shows typically took place twice-nightly, and the star performer whose spot was the culmination of the show, had their name at the top of the poster, literally 'topping the bill'.
Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television.
Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Printed card |
Brief description | Hanging card advertising the show Starlights commencing on Saturday 9 June, n.y., and running for the season, produced by, presented by and featuring Eddie Morrell; Central Pier, Concert Pavilion, possibly Morecambe. |
Physical description | Typographic hanging card with metal tag for hanging affixed at the top, printed in red and blue, advertising the show Starlights commencing on Saturday 9 June, n.y. and running for the season; venue: Central Pier, Concert Pavilion, (town: Morecambe?); produced by, presented by and featuring Eddie Morrell; also featuring Arthur Jackson; Horace Mashford; Patrick Colbert; The Two Silhouettes; Vera Jessop; The Graham-Nelson Dancers; Bryan O’Brien; The Five Marney Brothers. Decorated with starred stripes printed in red and blue at the top and bottom edges of the card. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Credit line | Given by Gwendoline Playle |
Summary | Typographical posters such as this were typical of the advertisements for variety theatres in Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Variety developed out of music hall and, like its predecessor, provided a number of entertainers on one programme. As small music halls gave way to the large variety theatres built by profitable concerns such as Moss Empires, the type of entertainment on offer became more ambitious. Variety shows typically took place twice-nightly, and the star performer whose spot was the culmination of the show, had their name at the top of the poster, literally 'topping the bill'. Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television. |
Collection | |
Accession number | S.250-2008 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | November 7, 2008 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSON