Handbill
1910 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This handbill advertises a variety programme at the New Hippodrome Theatre, Exeter. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety. The twice-nightly performances at Exeter in February 1910 included the 'Expensive Engagement of London's Favourite', the American 'black-face' performer Eugene Stratton, an item of cinema ('every picture tells a story') and, at the bottom of the bill, Arthur Astill 'Mimetic and Whistler'.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He went on to appear as a solo 'mimetic' and in 1912 was billed as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He later formed a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) who he married in 1911. One of their acts: 'Impressions of Country Life', used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children. It was billed as 'Mirth, Mimicry and Ventriloquism'.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He went on to appear as a solo 'mimetic' and in 1912 was billed as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He later formed a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) who he married in 1911. One of their acts: 'Impressions of Country Life', used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children. It was billed as 'Mirth, Mimicry and Ventriloquism'.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Letterpress on paper |
| Brief description | Handbill advertising the Variety programme at the New Hippodrome Theatre, Exeter, for the week commencing 7 February 1910, featuring Eugene Stratton (1861-1918) and Arthur Astill (1887-1962). |
| Physical description | Typographic handbill printed in brown on cream paper with border in purple with white spots, advertising the variety programme at the New Hippodrome Theatre, Exeter, for the week commencing 7 February 1910. It features Eugene Stratton, Norman Holt, Gladys Revell, Fred Hutchings, 'Hippodrome Pictures', Mamie Morris, and Arthur Astill. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Arthur Astill |
| Summary | This handbill advertises a variety programme at the New Hippodrome Theatre, Exeter. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety. The twice-nightly performances at Exeter in February 1910 included the 'Expensive Engagement of London's Favourite', the American 'black-face' performer Eugene Stratton, an item of cinema ('every picture tells a story') and, at the bottom of the bill, Arthur Astill 'Mimetic and Whistler'. Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He went on to appear as a solo 'mimetic' and in 1912 was billed as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He later formed a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) who he married in 1911. One of their acts: 'Impressions of Country Life', used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children. It was billed as 'Mirth, Mimicry and Ventriloquism'. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.5021-2009 |
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| Record created | March 29, 2010 |
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