Poster advertising Dick Whittington and His Cat, Opera House, Blackpool, 26 December 1904  thumbnail 1
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Poster advertising Dick Whittington and His Cat, Opera House, Blackpool, 26 December 1904

Poster
1904 (printed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster is typical of a typographic poster for an early 20th century pantomime, providing a full cast list, the times, dates and seat prices, as well as details of theatre staff and a list of scenes that included Old Cheapside, Fitzwarren's Stores, the Emperor's Palace in Morocco and the wedding procession - all scenes familiar in Dick Whittingtoneven a century later. In typical 19th century pantomime fashion, Dick was played by a woman, the vivacious variety performer Gracie Grahame. In May 1904 she had come to notoriety for trying to drown herself in the Thames following failed legal procedings against variety performer Katie Lawrence trying to prevent her singing what Gracie claimed to be her song Oh Charlie!

This pantomime was written by Charles Fletcher, directed by John Tiller and featured John Tiller's Pony Ballet Troupe. John Tiller (1854-1925) made a significant contribution to British dance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, streamlining the presentation of dancers and making popular dance a commercial venture. Tiller was the director of the Comedy Theatre, Manchester in 1885 but established a dance school in Manchester and a parallel organisation in London famous for its rigorous standards and ability to provide dancers as required for any production. By the late 19th century his troupes were performing in ballets and pantomimes all over the world.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePoster advertising <i>Dick Whittington and His Cat</i>, Opera House, Blackpool, 26 December 1904 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
letterpress on paper
Brief description
Poster advertising Dick Whittington and His Cat, Opera House, Blackpool, 26 December 1904 starring Gracie Grahame (1875-1945) as Dick. Printed by H. Maxwell & Co., Blackpool, 1904.
Physical description
Typographical poster printed in red and green with a decorative heading of the words: 'HER MAJESTY'S' 'OPERA HOUSE' 'WINTER GARDENS' 'BLACKPOOL' in read and green ribbon strap lines surrounding a crown and palm leaves. Printed with details of the times, dates, scenes and prices of Dick Whittington and the names of the performers Harry D. Lyndon, Fanny Harris, Dan Thomas, Bob Selvidge, Ivy Sinclair, S. Dennington, B. Worstencroft, Florence North, Will Mackney, J.G. Aitken, Edna Morgan, Gracie Woodleigh, Louie David, Nancy Doris, Daisy Yates, Davy Jones, Barrie Gilmore and Gracie Grahame, the Diamond Quartet of Expert Dancers, the Excelsior Troupe of Trained Children, and John Tiller's Famous Pony Ballet Troupe. Also featuring the names of the author Charles Fletcher, the composers John Weaver and Basil Horsfall, the scene designer W.H. Dixon, the costumier Mrs. Taylor, the general manager Jno. R. Huddlestone, the director John Tiller, the theatre manager Herbert Garside, the musical director Basil Horsfall, the stage manager Howard Ward and the box office keeper Mr. F. Fry. Also advertisiong the forthcoming production of the musical comedy The New Mephistoopening 9 January 1905.
Dimensions
  • Height: 50.6cm
  • Width: 31.8cm
Credit line
Given by Roy Fletcher
Summary
This poster is typical of a typographic poster for an early 20th century pantomime, providing a full cast list, the times, dates and seat prices, as well as details of theatre staff and a list of scenes that included Old Cheapside, Fitzwarren's Stores, the Emperor's Palace in Morocco and the wedding procession - all scenes familiar in Dick Whittingtoneven a century later. In typical 19th century pantomime fashion, Dick was played by a woman, the vivacious variety performer Gracie Grahame. In May 1904 she had come to notoriety for trying to drown herself in the Thames following failed legal procedings against variety performer Katie Lawrence trying to prevent her singing what Gracie claimed to be her song Oh Charlie!

This pantomime was written by Charles Fletcher, directed by John Tiller and featured John Tiller's Pony Ballet Troupe. John Tiller (1854-1925) made a significant contribution to British dance in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, streamlining the presentation of dancers and making popular dance a commercial venture. Tiller was the director of the Comedy Theatre, Manchester in 1885 but established a dance school in Manchester and a parallel organisation in London famous for its rigorous standards and ability to provide dancers as required for any production. By the late 19th century his troupes were performing in ballets and pantomimes all over the world.
Associated object
S.229-2011 (Object)
Collection
Accession number
S.228-2011

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Record createdApril 26, 2011
Record URL
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