Not currently on display at the V&A

Hanging Card

1948 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This hanging card advertises a twice-nightly variety programme at the Tivoli Theatre, Hull, in 1948, starring Jack Warner, star of the BBC Garrison Theatre who went on to star in the long-running BBC television series Dixon of Dock Green. It also features the double act Arthur Astill and Gwen Fontaine, billed as 'Mirth, Mimicry and Ventriloquism'. One of their acts, which they may have performed at Hull, was entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' and included mimicry of birds, animals and children.

This hanging card was part of a collection made by Arthur Astill (1887-1962) of advertisements from theatres where he and his wife Gwen Fontaine appeared. It is typical of the format of two-colour printing used in the 1940s to advertise Variety, with the names of the most popular stars literally appearing at the 'top of the bill'. The names of Astill and Fontaine are at the bottom of this bill.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Letterpress on card
Brief description
Hanging card advertising the Variety programme at the Tivoli Theatre, Hull for the week beginning Monday, 28 June, probably 1948, featuring Jack Warner 'of the BBC Garrison Theatre', The Varsity Three, Basyl, Wallau and Partner, Peggy Stamula, Tubby Turner, and Arthur Astill (1887-1962) & Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978). Letterpress on card, printed by Willson's, Nottingham.
Physical description
Typographic hanging card printed in red and blue on yellow card headed in blue TIVOLI / AN FJB THEATRE and the date Week Commencing MONDAY JUNE 28th, followed by the performers JACK (BLUE PENCIL) WARNER 'Star of the Successful BBC Feature Garrison Theatre', VARSITY THREE, BASYL, WALLAU AND PARTNER, PEGGY STAMULA, TUBBY TURNER, Arthur ASTILL and Gwen FONTAINE. A note at the bottom of the bill reads: 'THE LAST TRAIN FOR CLEETHORPES FROM GRIMSBY DOCKS IS 10.25pm'
Dimensions
  • Height: 35cm
  • Width: 23cm
Credit line
Given by Arthur Astill
Summary
This hanging card advertises a twice-nightly variety programme at the Tivoli Theatre, Hull, in 1948, starring Jack Warner, star of the BBC Garrison Theatre who went on to star in the long-running BBC television series Dixon of Dock Green. It also features the double act Arthur Astill and Gwen Fontaine, billed as 'Mirth, Mimicry and Ventriloquism'. One of their acts, which they may have performed at Hull, was entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' and included mimicry of birds, animals and children.

This hanging card was part of a collection made by Arthur Astill (1887-1962) of advertisements from theatres where he and his wife Gwen Fontaine appeared. It is typical of the format of two-colour printing used in the 1940s to advertise Variety, with the names of the most popular stars literally appearing at the 'top of the bill'. The names of Astill and Fontaine are at the bottom of this bill.
Collection
Accession number
S.5012-2009

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Record createdMarch 26, 2010
Record URL
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