1900 London Hippodrome Opening Night Programme Printed on Silk, Framed & Glazed

Description: An exceedingly rare original Theatre Programme printed on Silk for the grand opening night of the London Hippodrome on January 15th 1900, mounted, framed and glazed. This really is an incredible piece for anyone with an interest in the Theatre, Music Hall or Circus....in the final year of Queen Victoria's long reign, and at the dawn of the 20th century, London's newest entertainment venue, the London Hippodrome on Leicester Square was opened with much pomp and celebration. To commemorate the dazzling evening a number exclusive event programmes printed on tasselled Silk were presented to special guests, this is one of the few remaining in existence, another example is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Measuring 29cm x 39cm (11.5" x 15") screen printed in Blue ink onto Silk with an ornate tasselled edging border, mounted within a glazed brushed Aluminium frame. The Programme details the names of the Men responsible for the building, headed by the great Theatre designer Mr. Frank Matcham, (who's prolific works included the Hackney Empire, London Coliseum, London Palladium and Blackpool's Tower Ballroom). The Theatre proprietors, Managers, and Musical Conductor Georges Jacobi are listed above the details of the evening which includes such tantalising acts as: "James and Amelia Jee ....double wire act" "Brothers Weldeman....Continental Grotesques", "Lavatar Lea and his screamingly funny bucking Mule", "Little Tony....Boy vaulting act" and many more, interspersed with various musical performances from the Orchestra. The culmination of the evening was an Amphibious Burletta entitled "Giddy Ostend" which took place on a flooded 230ft. stage that contained 100,000 gallons of water weighing 400 tons! The star of the performance was that Music Hall Mega star of his day Little Tich who was supported by Elsie Carew, Marie and James Finney, and Fritz Rimma amongst others. The Burletta apparently featured "Visitors, Market Folk, Bathing Attendants, Nursemaids, Boatmen, Gendarmes, Groupiers, Children, Donkeys, Zebra's and Sea Monsters"!!!!! I have to say it sounds a damn good night out for 3 Shillings!! (or 1 for a private box if you were feeling flush!) More than simply a piece of theatrical memorabilia, this is a fascinating piece of social history, a glimpse into another age beyond living memory and very different from the world that we inhabit today. The London Hippodrome still stands on the corner of Cranbourn St. and Charing Cross Rd. Now a grade II listed building, it has seen many changes throughout the decades, from Music Hall to Theatre, it was the venue for the English premiere of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake in 1910, hosted the first Jazz band performance in Britain in 1919, was the venue for "The Talk of the Town" where it saw performances by Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra and a great many more. Today it is a Night Club and Casino, still providing entertainment as it has for 124 years, it has seen many great and memorable nights, but the very first of those was January 15th 1900. This remarkable artefact remains in excellent condition, the typography remains clear and sharp, and the silk surface and highly intricate Tassel border are perfectly intact and undamaged. There is some slight discolouration to the lower right quarter where it has perhaps encountered a little damp at some point, but otherwise it remains in superb condition. For anyone with an interest in the Theatre or the performing Arts, this is perhaps the chance of a lifetime opportunity to acquire such a piece that is both fascinating and Decorative.

Price: 357 GBP

Location: Banbury

End Time: 2024-12-07T11:57:03.000Z

Shipping Cost: 41.96 GBP