Handbill
1931 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This handbill advertises a variety programme at the Leeds Empire. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety. Top of the bill at Leeds in June 1931 was 'Britain's Master of Comedy' Will Hay, whose impersonation of a harassed school master at St Michael's became well known to film audiences later in the 1930s. Arthur Astill appeared with Gwen Fontaine 'in mimicry and ventriloquism'.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He became a solo 'mimetic and whistler' and in 1912 was described as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He went on to form a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. Astill took the top billing in Leeds with Gwen Fontaine as his assistant, but later in the 1930s they were billed as Astill and Fontaine. One of their later double acts, entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children.
Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He became a solo 'mimetic and whistler' and in 1912 was described as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He went on to form a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. Astill took the top billing in Leeds with Gwen Fontaine as his assistant, but later in the 1930s they were billed as Astill and Fontaine. One of their later double acts, entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Letterpress on paper |
| Brief description | Handbill advertising the Variety programme at the Leeds Empire, for the week commencing 22 June 1931, featuring Will Hay (1888-1949) and Arthur Astill (1887-1962). Printed by John Waddington Ltd, Leeds. |
| Physical description | Typographic handbill printed in blue on white paper advertising the variety programme at the Leeds Empire for the week commencing 22 June 1931. Featuring Will Hay 'in an episode of St. Michael's', Stanelli and Edgar 'Fiddle Fanatics', Arthur Astill assisted by Gwen Fontaine 'in mimicry and ventriloquism', Stan Pell and Stan Little 'the Parson and the Precocious Kid', Dekker and Pan 'the well-balanced pair', the Four Sydney Steppers 'pep and personality', Red Fred 'the little marvel on one wheel' and 'the popular revue comedian' Reg Bolton. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Arthur Astill |
| Summary | This handbill advertises a variety programme at the Leeds Empire. It is part of a collection made by Arthur Astill, who kept posters, handbills and advertisements from theatres where he appeared in variety. Top of the bill at Leeds in June 1931 was 'Britain's Master of Comedy' Will Hay, whose impersonation of a harassed school master at St Michael's became well known to film audiences later in the 1930s. Arthur Astill appeared with Gwen Fontaine 'in mimicry and ventriloquism'. Arthur Astill (1887-1962) started his career in a Pierrot Troupe known as the Olympic Serenaders. He became a solo 'mimetic and whistler' and in 1912 was described as 'the Whistling Ploughboy'. He went on to form a double act with Gwen Fontaine (1891-1978) whom he married in 1911. Astill took the top billing in Leeds with Gwen Fontaine as his assistant, but later in the 1930s they were billed as Astill and Fontaine. One of their later double acts, entitled 'Impressions of Country Life' used Arthur's whistling skills in impersonations of birds, and also included impressions of animals and children. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.5023-2009 |
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| Record created | March 29, 2010 |
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