Silk programme produced as a souvenir for Harmston's Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Wild Performing Animals, Bombay, India, 29 January 1906. Printed silk. Antony Hippisley Coxe Collection.

Pale green silk programme with integral fringe top and bottom, printed in black ink with the programme of Harmston's Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Wild Performing Animals for the performance in Bombay, Monday 29 January 1906, within a decorative border. The programme features a royal crest and notes the patronage of 'Lord Lamington and Suite'. The programme lists the acts: High and Long Jumping Dogs (Including the Diving Dog Bully) with Alfred Ryan, Equitation by Miss Nellie Harmston-Love, a Cake Walk by Jennie Harmston-Love, Exercises on Roman Rings by the Pedro Brothers, a Comic Entree by Adolph Dubosq, Feats of Strength by Henri, the Juvenile Samson, a Four Horse Picture Act by Alfred Clarke, a Song and Dance by Florrie and Wally Banvard, Acrobatic Pastimes by the Bugnys, W. Harmston-Love and W. Alton, Captain Lindo with the 'Untameable (sic) Forest-bred Lion Monarch', The Brothers Durwal, Champion Gymnasts, a Four Jockey Act by John Frederick Clark, Alfred Clarke Snr., A. Clarke and W. Harmston-Love, a Comic Entree by the Continental Clowns Guillaume and Baby, a Double Perch act by the Bugny Brothers, a Cavalcade Entree 'By Our Ladies', a Comic Entree by Adolph Dubosq., a Bar Act by Willie Harmston-Love, an Oriental Dance by Mdlle Marguerite, the Clown Pony Nellie, concluding with 'the world's greatest sensation' Diavolo, looping the loop on a bicycle. The programme notes the matinees on 31st January and 3rd February and the management Madame Harmston-Love, Proprietress; Charles Bruce as Band Master; Captain Lindo, Animal Trainer; Robert Love, 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 travelled to Bombay from Madras and performed in Bombay from the 19th January to the 13th February 1906. This was produced as a souvenir of their performance on the 26th January because of the presence of Lord Lamington. The Baron Charles Wallace Alexander Napier Ross Cochrane-Baillie Lamington (1860-1940), previously a Member of Parliament in the UK and the Governor of Queensland, Australia, was Governor of Bombay from 1903 until 1907.

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.14-2007