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Poster
mid 20th century (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Typographical posters such as this were typical of the advertisements for variety theatres in Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Variety developed out of music hall and, like its predecessor, provided a number of entertainers on one programme. As small music halls gave way to the large variety theatres built by profitable concerns such as Moss Empires, the type of entertainment on offer became more ambitious. Variety shows typically took place twice-nightly, and the star performer whose spot was the culmination of the show, had their name at the top of the poster, literally 'topping the bill'.
Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television.
Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Printed paper |
| Brief description | Poster for the Imperial Palace, Canning Town, advertising the programme for the Grand Matinee in aid of the Hudsons Ward Children's Summer Outing Fund, on Thursday 24 June, n.y., featuring Charles Coborn. |
| Physical description | Typographic poster for the Imperial Palace, Canning Town, printed in red and blue on paper, advertising the programme for the Grand Matinee in aid of the Hudsons Ward Children’s Summer Outing Fund on Thursday 24 June, n.y., featuring Charles Coborn; Daisy Barker and her pianist Wally Cannon; pupils of Jesmond Academy of theatrical dancing with Little Mary Hillman, Principal: Miss Evelyn Ross; Sissie Wood; Dainty Baby Iris; Betty Farrel; Alice Harrison; Harry Bailey; Baby Neaster; Elsie Ellis; Fairyland; The Little Niggers by Sunbeams; Mr. Ted Lee’s grand Parlour Scene featuring Pat O’Keefe; Jack Welch; Johnny Summers; Danny Shea; Joe Bowker; Harry Wilson; Kid Lewis; Alf. Craig; Ted Lee; Harry Holmes; Steve Smith; Mark Swan, England’s Tom Sharkey; Mr. Alf. Wicks. The Imperial Palace is ‘Kindly lent by Archie McDowell, Esq. Managing Director’; the Grand Matinee is held ‘Under the patronage of Alderman W. Devenay, J.P. (Mayor of West Ham), Alderman W. Thorne, M.P., Councillor Jack Jones, M.P., The Rev. T. Varney (St. Cedd’s Church), and members of the Labour Group. Printed with the names of the committee members: Messrs. J. Thomas, H. Courtenay, Lee, H. Bailey, Perry; Mesdames Jack Jones, Parsons, Courtenay, A. Bond, E. Robinson, Potter, R. Lee, Manning. Trustees: Messers. C. Cope & A.F.H. Shute. Honorary Organising Secretary: Mrs. Thomas. Honorary Treasurer: Mr. F.G. Link. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Gwendoline Playle |
| Object history | NB The term "nigger" has been used to describe people of black African heritage. From the 1800s it carried strong derogatory intent. The term is repeated here in its original historical context. |
| Summary | Typographical posters such as this were typical of the advertisements for variety theatres in Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century. Variety developed out of music hall and, like its predecessor, provided a number of entertainers on one programme. As small music halls gave way to the large variety theatres built by profitable concerns such as Moss Empires, the type of entertainment on offer became more ambitious. Variety shows typically took place twice-nightly, and the star performer whose spot was the culmination of the show, had their name at the top of the poster, literally 'topping the bill'. Before the days of television and radio, Variety was tremendously popular. Every town in Britain would have boasted a variety theatre and its stars could command fabulous salaries. As cinema and television became the mass means of entertainment, a host of variety theatres were converted to cinemas or were closed. Seaside Variety shows fared better than most and kept their patrons in the 1950s and 1960s by engaging stars who made their name on the radio, in the burgeoning rock and pop industry, or in television. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.261-2008 |
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| Record created | November 12, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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