Silk programme produced as a souvenir for Harmston's Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Wild Performing Animals, Colombo, Ceylon, 12 May 1906. Printed silk. Antony Hippisley Coxe Collection.

Pale pink silk programme with integral fringe top and bottom, printed in blue ink within a decorative border with the programme of Harmston's Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Wild Performing Animals, for the performance in Colombo, Saturday 12th May 1906,. The programme features a royal crest and notes the patronage of 'Sir Henry A. Blake, G.C.M.G., and Suite'. The programme lists the acts: The Wheelers in their Champion Trick Bicycle Act, Principal Act of Equitation by Miss Nellie Harmston-Love, Indian Club Swinging & Juggling by Alfred Clarke, Song and Dance 'Come & Coax me', Feats of Strength by Henri, the Juvenile Samson, Cake Walk by Violet, Marguerite, Wally and Roy, The Do-re-Mi-Duo by Guillaume and Baby in their eccentric musical act, High and Long Jumping Dogs (introducing the Diving Dog Bully) by Alfred Ryan, Four Horse Picture Act by Alfred Clarke, Comic Entrée by Denny and Wally, Le Voltigeur by Mdlle Marguerite, The Brothers Durwal, Champion Gymnasts on Five Horizontal Bars, The Madrelena Sisters in Spanish and National Dances, Revolving Ladder by Pedro Bros., Acrobatic Dance by The Princess Quartette, Double Jockeys by John Frederick and Alfred Clarke, the Clown Pony Nellie introducing the Spanish Bull Fight, concluding with 'the world's greatest sensation' Diavolo, looping the loop on a bicycle. The programme notes the Benefit evening of the manager Col. Robert Love on May 18th, and the matinees on 16th and 18th May. At the bottom it notes the management Madame Harmston-Love, Proprietress; Charles Bruce, Band Master; Captain Lindo, Animal Trainer; Robert Love, Sole Manager; Alf. Ryan, Stud Groom; R. Alton, Advance Representative.

Antony Hippisley Coxe Collection

Silk and satin theatre playbills and programmes were produced from the 18th century onwards to commemorate special evenings at the theatre. Most theatres and some circuses in the 19th century had some made to mark grand openings or milestone performances. By the end of the First World War however the practice had generally died out, only being revived very occasionally, more often at London's opera houses than any other theatres.

Harmston's Circus opened in Colombo on Saturday 28th April 1906, having sailed from Calcutta on Thursday 19th April. This programme was produced as a souvenir of their performance on 12th May because of the presence in the audience of the Governor of Ceylon, Sir Henry Blake and his entourage. The circus stayed in Colombo until 26th May.

Harmston's Circus was founded by the equestrian William Batty Harmston (1844-1893), born in Nottingham. After working with Chiarini's circus in India in 1887, he formed his own circus which toured Australia 1890-1891. After his death in Singapore, his widow carried on the circus with the manager Robert Love, who she married and whose surname can be seen on this programme added to her name and that of her children.

S.17-2007