Not currently on display at the V&A

Music sheet for' No More Fancy Balls for M'e sung by Dan leno

Print
ca. late 19th century (published)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This music sheet satirises the craze for costly fancy dress balls and features an image of the leading music hall comedian and actor Dan Leno (1860-1904) dressed as a toreador. Born George Galvin, Leno was the son of music hall performers and first appeared on the stage aged 4 with his brother Jack and his uncle Johnny Danvers. At 18 he became a champion clog dancer, and later one of the most successful pantomime Dames in the history of Drury Lane Theatre, being called 'the King's Jester' after his Command Performance at Sandringham in 1902 where he appeared before King Edward VIII.

This song was written by Norton Atkins and the actor manager, songwriter, composer and playwright Herbert Darnley (1872-1947) who started his career as one of the music hall performers The Darnley Brothers. He went on to appear as a performer in his own right, producing material for other performers including Dan Leno (1860-1904) for whom he co-wrote 'No More Fancy Balls For Me' and 'The Tower of London', and Ada Reeve (1874-1966).



Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleMusic sheet for' No More Fancy Balls for M'e sung by Dan leno (generic title)
Materials and techniques
chromolithograph
Brief description
Colour songsheet cover for 'No More Fancy Balls for Me!', by Herbert Darnley and Norton Atkins, Harry Beard Collection.
Physical description
Colour songsheet cover for 'No More Fancy Balls for Me!', by Herbert Darnley and Norton Atkins.
Dimensions
  • Print size height: 36.0cm
  • Print size width: 25.7cm
  • Total including mount height: 53.5cm
  • Total including mount width: 38.1cm
Credit line
Harry R. Beard Collection, given by Isobel Beard
Summary
This music sheet satirises the craze for costly fancy dress balls and features an image of the leading music hall comedian and actor Dan Leno (1860-1904) dressed as a toreador. Born George Galvin, Leno was the son of music hall performers and first appeared on the stage aged 4 with his brother Jack and his uncle Johnny Danvers. At 18 he became a champion clog dancer, and later one of the most successful pantomime Dames in the history of Drury Lane Theatre, being called 'the King's Jester' after his Command Performance at Sandringham in 1902 where he appeared before King Edward VIII.

This song was written by Norton Atkins and the actor manager, songwriter, composer and playwright Herbert Darnley (1872-1947) who started his career as one of the music hall performers The Darnley Brothers. He went on to appear as a performer in his own right, producing material for other performers including Dan Leno (1860-1904) for whom he co-wrote 'No More Fancy Balls For Me' and 'The Tower of London', and Ada Reeve (1874-1966).

Other number
F.42-18 - H Beard collection numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.443-2009

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Record createdJanuary 14, 2009
Record URL
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