Thespis announced

Thespis is given a boost, in some considerable detail, in this Dec 20th 1872 programme for Paul Pry. The entire cast is named (though not their parts) including a chorus girl, Miss Herbert, who does not appear to have been previously recorded. It is also noted that Thespis will have an "increased band".

Thespis interruptus

Thespis ran for 63 nights, not 64 as often stated, as there was a one-night break in the run. Most London theatre managements declined to present a fully costumed performance on Ash Wednesday, in order to show respect for the start of Lent. Hollingshead therefore replaced Thespis on 14th February 1872 with a Miscellaneous Entertainment. By a remarkable coincidence George Grossmith (presumably the younger) gave a parody of a Penny Reading as part of a bill which also featured ventriloquists and performing dogs !

Trial by Jury announcement

Trial By Jury is announced in this programme from the Royalty Theatre dated 2nd February 1875, nearly two months before its opening night of 25th March. The notice reads, "In preparation, a New Comic Opera, composed expressly for this Theatre, by Mr Arthur Sullivan, in which Madame Dolaro and Miss Nelly Bromley will appear". In the event of course, although Selina Dolaro would continue to play the title role in La Perichole there was to be no role for her in Trial by Jury. Richard D'Oyly Carte's name appears on the cover, as "manager" of the theatre.

early Rutland Barrington appearance

This programme for a revival of Ticket-of-Leave Man at the Royal Olympic Theatre is dated Monday June 28th 1875, with a suggestion that it may have been produced for the first performance. Ellen (Nellie) Farren (see Thespis) played Sam Willoughby and Brunton was one "R. Barrington", presumably Rutland, appearing less than a year after his stage debut and before creating his first G&S character in The Sorcerer.

a Gilbert burlesque

Cracked Heads, a parody of Gilbert's Broken Hearts by Arthur Clements and Frederick Hay, opened at the Royal Strand Theatre on 7th February 1876, just two months after the piece it burlesqued. The character names were close approximations of those in the original, and in a reference to one of Gilbert's well known pseudonyms, the piece was set on the Island of Tomline L'Auteur. Critically acclaimed, it ran for around 54 performances, closing on 8th April 1876.

Grossmith appearance

George Grossmith Junior presented his "humorous musical scena" In the Stalls at the Strand Theatre on Saturday July 29th, 1876. He was one of the highlights of a bill produced as a farewell benefit and the final appearance of Edward Terry. The actor's address was written by H. J. Byron.

Programme and book of words for Matched and Mated by F.C. Burnand with German Reed music, Our Table D'Hote by Corney Grain, and The Three Tenants by Gilbert A'Beckett and Reed. Savoy soprano Leonora Braham appeared in the first piece. They ran together from 6th to 20th November 1876.

another Gilbert burlesque

The only other known burlesque of a straight Gilbert play, Dan'l Tra-duced Tinker was also produced at the Royal Strand Theatre in 1876, opening on November 27th, nine weeks after Gilbert's Dan'l Druce, Blacksmith had opened. Although Clarence gives the playwright as Arthur Clements, who had written Cracked Heads earlier in the year, this first programme refers to him as merely "the author". W.S Penley played Sir Ivorie Comb, J.G. Taylor was Dan'l and Lottie Venne played Dolly. The final performance was on 20th December, after a run of only 21 performances.

Anson benefit

On April 21st 1877, at 2pm, the Opera Comique hosted a benefit performance for the actor G.W. Anson. Of most interest to us here is the appearance of Lionel Brough singing a new musical sketch by George Grossmith (then "Junr.", but our Gee Gee), "The Muddle Puddle Junction Porter". Earlier in the afternoon Ellen Terry appeared as Helen in a scene from Knowles' The Hunchback.

Programme and book of words for A Happy Bungalow by Arthur Law and King Hall, with Edwin and Angelina by Corney Grain, and Number 204 by F.C. Burnand with German Reed music. Savoy soprano Leonora Braham appeared in the first and the last piece. They ran together from 11th June to 16th July 1877.

Wreck of the Pinafore

New Zealander Horace Lingard's sequel, The Wreck of the Pinafore, had been seen in the Antipodes and America before the composer, Luscombe Searelle (real name, Isaac Israel) had the gall to sail it into the Opera Comique (where the original had premiered) on May 27th 1882. The characters of H.M.S. Pinafore are wrecked on a desert island: Josephine and Ralph don't make a perfect match, and she switches to Sir Joseph, after Buttercup admits to lying about the switch in babyhood. Greeted with loud derision on opening night, The Wreck was soon wrecked, lasting only four performances.

Mr. Guffin's Elopement

George Grossmith, as well as performing every night at the Savoy, found time to compose the music for Arthur Law's piece for J. L. Toole, Mr. Guffins Elopement. After a short tryout in Liverpool it opened at Toole's Theatre in London on 7th October 1882 and remained on the bill until 18th May 1883. A song from the show, "The Speaker's Eye" was a huge hit.

Savage Club Entertainment

On Wednesday 11th July 1883 George Grossmith, John Maclean (Thespis), Lionel Brough and many others entertained members of the Savage Club during the annual Ball at the Albert Hall. The Prince and Princess of Wales were in attendance, and the programme included music by Sullivan, the recitation of a Bab Ballad, and much else of interest.

The Great-Tay-Kin

The Great-Tay-Kin opened at Toole's Theatre on 30th April 1885 and ran for 87 performances, closing on 6th August. Described as "A Japanese Mystery", and set in a British Japanese Village, the piece clearly mined the same popular vein as The Mikado. Written by Arthur Law, the music was by none other than Savoy star George Grossmith. This programme was printed on July 13th, the opening night of a Sardou pastiche by Burnand, The O'Dora, or A Wrong Accent, which shared the bill.

Meyer Lutz benefit

On Monday 3rd May 1886 the Gaiety Theatre was host to a selection of scenes played for the benefit of composer Meyer Lutz. These included scenes from the Grand Opera Mephistopheles, the musical Little Jack Shepherd and the operetta Karl as well as recitations and solo pieces. Many names associated with Gilbert and Sullivan were among the performers, including Ellen Farren (Thespis), and Marion Hood (first London Mabel). The men included Durward Lely and Richard Temple.

Mikado poster

The design of this touring poster appears to be based on an image of the first American little maids, featuring, from left to right, Geraldine St Maur, Geraldine Ulmar and Kate Forster. It was overprinted for an appearance by D-company at the Theatre Royal in Bradford on Aug 30th 1886.

Der Mikado libretto

In September 1886 a German-language version, Der Mikado oder Ein Tag in Titipu, opened in Vienna. This libretto has cover art featuring the title character and was probably produded not long after the Austrian premiere. It is the South German version of the text, and an interesting note at the top of the cover translates to something like, "Printed as a manuscript for the stage/theatres ", possibly indicating that it was originally owned by a cast member and used in rehearsal.

Der Mikado

Mikado characters adorn this German sheet music which almost certainly dates from c.1886 and uses the same image of the title character, and surrounding decoration, as the cover of the early German libretto above.

Ruddy George, or Robin Redbreast

Described as a "musical parody" this piece at Toole's Theatre (owned by J.L Toole, creator of the title role in Thespis) first appeared at a matinee on 19th March 1887, and the cast of characters clearly shows that it was a burlesque of Ruddigore: Robin Redbreast, "Sir Roothven Rougegeorge, nicknamed Ruddy George, in disguise, a gross-myth of the 19th century"; Dick Leward, "...perhaps a spurious Lely"; Rosy "a foundling ... claiming to be descended from A-braham"; Aunt Joanna, who is described as being "so-ber and ram-shackle"; and Sir Gaspard Rougegeorge "a fine specimen of Barrington-iacae" who was played by George Shelton, the actor who would in 1904 create the character of Smee in Peter Pan. Three other Rougegeorges were called Sir Gilbert, Sir Arthur and Sir Doyley! Written by H.G.F. Taylor and Percy Reeve it ran for around 36 performances. This programme is for the first evening performance, on March 26th 1887.

Ruddigore poster

This large, and rather naively executed, poster shows Robin and Rose in front of the first act set. It was overprinted with details of a week-long stay at the Theatre Royal, Bradford, by C-company from June 13th 1887.

The Sultan of Mocha

The Sultan of Mocha, with music by Savoy conductor Alred Cellier, premiered at Prince's Theatre, Manchester, in 1874. It was revived in London in 1876 and again in 1887 (this time with a new libretto by William Lestocq). This programme dates from that latter revival, which opened on September 21st 1887, closing after a disappointing run of 114 performances.

1880s wallpaper

A short section of Gilbert & Sullivan wallpaper, featuring characters from Sorcerer to Ruddigore only, and therefore confidently dated to 1887 or 1888. The operas are titled in a typeface typical of this period, and some of the motifs have been lifted from early theatre programmes. The first revivals of Pinafore, Pirates and The Mikado in 1887/8 possibly meant that for the first time the G&S operas were now considered as a body of work, with a cast of many and varied characters. This process fed into the production of souvenirs showing characters from a mixture of pieces - this paper being an especially early example.

Guddyraw, or Wykeham's Curse

Amazingly, Ruddy George was not the only paprody of Ruddigore to appear on the stage in the 1880s. Guddyraw, or Wykeham's Curse was performed by the third year students at New College, Oxford in March 1888. This programme was issued on March 12th, and was pasted in an album next to a photo of The Hon John Scott Montague (also one of the three librettists) in drag as Dame Joannah. Music is credited to Sullivan, "adapted from Ruddigore", presumably without authorisation. John Galsworthy, future author of The Forsyte Saga, played Sir Spooner Purgatroyd.

Princess Ida in Sydney

Leonora Braham, who had created the title role in Princess Ida at the Savoy, was also the first to play the part in Sydney, in April 1888. Her husband, J. Duncan Young, played "Hilarlon" according to the programme, and the cast also included Alice Barnett, the first Fairy Queen, as Lady Blanche.

Carte wedding: gift from E-Company

On 1st May 1888 E-Company was appearing in Bath and a local printer was comissioned to print this souvenir card for the cast members to keep. It records the text of an address presented, with a pair of silver candlesticks, to the Richard D'Oyly Carte and Helen Lenoir, who had wed on April 12th. It is a fascinating record of the names of the company and its associates, including many choristers whose names have previously been unrecorded.

The Silver Fete

Richard Temple, Bernard Lane and Furneaux Cook played Cox, Box and Bouncer in a performance of Cox and Box on July 12th 1888; part of "The Silver Fete", a four-day charity event held at the Royal Exhibition Grounds in South Kensington in aid of the Victoria Hospital for Children in Chelsea. Other D'Oyly Carte regulars named in this thick brochure include Grossmith, Pounds and Brandram. (Interestingly, Gilbert is given author credit for Cox & Box !)

Mikado fan

Souvenir of a club dinner in Holland in March 1889 showing members of the committee in Mikado costumes appropriate to their roles in the society. Two of the Three Little Maids are moustachioed !

Ivanhoe: 100th performance

A trimmed cabinet card photo of a presentation certificate given to Sullivan by the members of the Royal English Opera orchestra on the occasion of the 100th performance of Ivanhoe. As well as signatures of conductors and players there is a decorative border which incorporates the music of one of the Torquilstone trumpet calls as well as the shields of The Templar and Ivanhoe.

Ma Mie Rosette

Jessie Bond was one of the longest serving regulars in the D'Oyly Carte Company, appearing in most original productions from Pinafore onwards. She had a break from the Company in the 90's, playing in a series of other musicals in London. Ma Mie Rosette opened in 1892 at the Globe Theatre.

Grossmith on tour

Grossmith too, having created role from J.W. Wells to Jack Point, took a break from the Savoy in the '90s, touring Britain as a comic entertainer. Although undated, this programme includes a duet from Haste to the Wedding, the Gilbert flop (with music by Grossmith) which had folded in just 22 performances at the Criterion in the Summer of 1892.

Ma Mie Rosette

In December 1892 Ivan Caryll's comedy opera (based on a French piece by Paul Lacome) was moved to The Prince of Wales Theatre, where it finished a fairly short run. The entire cast moved across with the production, including as well as Jessie Bond, Savoyards Courtice Pounds and Frank Wyatt.

An Evening with Gilbert & Sullivan

An early example of a G&S themed entertainment, at the Assembly Rooms in Malvern, June 1893, this flyer describes Nannie Harding (aka Annie Harding) as "late prima donna of R. Doyly Carte's Company". She had actually only appeared as Lady Ella in Europe and as Kate and Casilda in the "C" company tour ! Broughton Black had also toured in company "C" in the early 90s. Jessie Browning would later tour for DOC, but at this point in time had not yet appeared with the company. Wills Page never would.

Grossmith on tour

From August 28th to December 19th 1893, George Grossmith criss-crossed Britain, usually appearing for one-night-only in each town. This fascinating 24-page booklet not only gives all the tour dates, but has words to all the songs he performed, including "The Paderewski Craze" and "The Dismal Dinner Party". At the back are three pages of press quotes from his American tour. As this brochure is for "programme F", it seems likely that there are at least five others in the series !

Grossmith on tour

On September 28th 1893 Grossmith's tour of the UK reached Stratford (East London) for the second time. The recital performed in the Town Hall that Thursday evening included the new sketches, "The Art of Entertaining" and "How I Discovered America". The programme also lists the songs which Grossmith gave as part of the entertainment.

Pickwick

One of the harder Jessie Bond programmes to find, Pickwick was forepiece to Tom, Dick & Harry at the Trafalgar Square Theatre, and ran for around 25 performances from 13th December 1893 to 6th January 1894. The one-act operetta by F.C. Burnand and Edward Solomon had originally been produced in 1889 at a benefit matinee, when it had featured Rutland Barrington in the part subsequently taken by Charles Hawtrey. In a further connection with G&S, the theatre (now known as The Duke of York's) was owned by Frank Wyatt, who had created the role of The Duke of Plaza Toro.

Morocco Bound

Jessie Bond was not the only former D'Oyly Carte performer engaging in extra-curricular performances at this time. Richard Temple played Sid Fakah in Morocco Bound, which moved into the Trafalgar Square Theatre on 8th January 1894, replacing Tom, Dick & Harry. The Branscombe/Ross/Carr musical completed its run on 10th February, having chalked up 295 performances in two theatres. Also in the cast were George Grossmith Jun. (GeeGee's son) and the Captain Corcoran from the 1879/80 Children's Pinafore, Harry Grattan.

Go-Bang

A musical comedy by Adrian Ross and Osmond Carr, Go-Bang was a rather better proposition for Jessie Bond than the run of flops in which she had been cast, though a run of 159 performances from the 10th March 1894 opening was nothing compared with her days at the Savoy. She shared the stage at the Trafalgar Square Theatre with Harry Grattan, Arthur Playfair, George Grossmith Jnr. and dancer Letty Lind. The American child prodigy "Baby Costello" danced in the interval between acts.

Durward Lely - The Eminent Tenor

For three weeks from March 24th 1894 the Blairgowrie Advertiser printed details of the career of the "local-boy-made-good", Durward Lely. Subsequently reprinted in a small booklet, the text was almost certainly written by Lely himself, his work is described in such glowing terms. Although his time at the Savoy is covered in just a few pages, he does give us an interesting insight into Gilbert's working method: checking that words were clear even from the cheaper seats, and insisting on correct deportment.

Hermann Vezin Matinee

Benefit programme from the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, 19th March 1896 for the celebrated American actor and elocution teacher, Hermann Vezin. George Grossmith, delivering a sketch, topped a bill which included play scenes featuring, among others, Gerald du Maurier, Beerbohm Tree and Cyril Maude.

Charles Wyndham Celebration

In celebration of Wyndham's 20 years managing the Criterion Theatre, a grand evening of varied entertainment on May 1st 1896, including appearances by George Grossmith and Decima Moore in act 2 of The Critic.

Fanny Enson's Matinee

Benefit for Fanny Enson at the Criterion Theatre, May 19th 1896. Florence St.John (Rita of The Chieftain) was among the featured performers, and Lillie Langtry gave a recitation. Other names included Mr. & Mrs.Tree, Irene Vanbrugh, Charles Wyndham, Louie Freear, Nina Bouccicault and Lewis Waller. Selections from plays were interspersed with solo items.

Cox & Box

Courtice Pounds and W.H. Denny, the original Fairfax and Shadbolt, toured together in Pounds' own company in 1899. This programme, printed in London, gives no venue, but is hand annotated, "Hall, Southsea, Oct 6th /99". Pounds and Denny played Box and Bouncer in Cox and Box, with Welton Dale as Cox. Also on the bill were Robin Hood and Maid Marian, a "new dramatic ballad-cycle" by Basil Hood, and The Rightful Heir, a musical satire by Arthur Sturgess and James M. Glover. Both pieces, according to Reginald Clarence's "Stage Cyclopaedia", premiered on September 18th 1899 at the Hastings Public Hall, suggesting that this was the commencement of the tour.

San Toy

Rutland Barrington, originator of so many roles at the Savoy, left the D'Oyly Carte company in 1896, to work with other producers. On 21st October 1899, he created the part of Yen How in San Toy, Harry Greenbank and Adrian Ross' "Chinese Musical". Although Barrington left the cast after a time, the show ran for 778 performances, closing on 14th December 1901. Many of the original cast are named in this undated programme.

Jessie Bond in Pinafore

Jessie Bond, creator of many roles at the Savoy, did some charity work after her retirement from the professional stage in 1897. On Saturday January 6th 1900 she appeared at a one-night-only benefit in an amateur performance of H.M.S. Pinafore in the schoolroom of the tiny Wiltshire village of Maiden Bradley. It is with obvious pride that the producers added "her original part" next to her name in the programme, as this had been her first role on stage in May 1878.

Canadian Matinee

On Tues June 19th 1900 the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane was the venue for a particulary grand charity matinee, in aid of Canadians affected by the war in South Africa and a recent fire in Ottowa. Entertainers from all branches of the industry gave their services, including Rutland Barrington who sang "On the Road to Mandalay", and Ruth Vincent, with "Poor Wand'ring One". The Savoy chorus joined Walter Passmore, Henry Lytton, W.H.Leon, Robert Evett, Isabel Jay, Emmie Owen and Rosina Brandram in a selection from Pinafore performed "in mufti", with Francois Cellier at the baton.

Sailor's Home benefit

On Tues December 11th 1900 the Garrick Theatre hosted a benefit matinee in aid of the Sailor's Home in Chatham, Kent. The usual mix of playlets and variety entertainment, George Grossmith performed some humorous songs and selections, and his brother Weedon appeared in his own comedy, A Commission. Dan Leno joined other great names of the day, including H.B. Irving, Martin Harvey and Hayden Coffin.

Pooh-Bah advertising scrap

Pooh-Bah holds a tin of Pedigree Cavendish Flake Cut Tobacco, marketed by John Player from April 1901 (if not earlier). The 9" high scrap appears to represent an actual actor (probably Fred Billington) dressed in a close approximation of Wilhelm's costume. Could this be reverse product placement? Did a clever advertising man wish the line "deference due to a man of pedigree" to become associated with the tobacco when audience members heard it?

Water Babies

Rutland Barrington adapted Charles Kingsley's classic children's book for the stage in 1903, even writing some of the lyrics. Music was by three composers, including the late Alfred Cellier. The piece opened at the Garrick Theatre on 18th December 1902, and ran for just 100 performances.

Nellie Farren Night

Nellie Farren's last public appearance was at a "Nellie Farren Night" at the Gaiety Theatre on April 8th 1903. A performance of The Toreador was followed by The Linkman, a special revue of old Gaiety hits written by, and featuring, George Grossmith Jnr, with Ethel Sydney made up as Nellie. At the end of the evening Farren (who had starred in Thespis) made a speech from the stage. She died, aged 58, just a year later, on April 28th 1904.

Gaiety Theatre farewell

Not three months after the public had waved farewell to Farren, the 35-year-old theatre where Thespis has premiered hosted its final peformance on July 4th 1903, as the building was to be demolished as part of the development of The Aldwych. The Linkman - or Gaiety Memories was performed again on the last night, with a cast which included George Grossmith Jnr, Florence St. John, Rutland Barrington, Richard Temple, J. J. Dallas and many other "names" of British theatre. The "New Gaiety Theatre" was built in 1903, and remained open until 1939.

Grossmith in Battersea

As late as 1903 George Grossmith was still giving his recitals, as evidenced by this programme for the Battersea Polytechnic of October 10th. As well as details of GeeGee's performance, listing all the songs, it also includes many pages of future events at the venue, such as Maskelyne & Cooke's "animated photographs" and lectures on paper making and politics !

The Talk of the Town

A musical comedy by Seymour Hicks, with music by Herbert E. Haines, The Talk of the Town opened at the Lyric Theatre on 5th January 1905 and ran for just 100 performances. The cast included many D'Oyly Carte stalwarts, including Walter Passmore, Henry Lytton, Powis Pinder, Robert Evett, Charles Childerstone and Rudolf Lewis.

Ellen Terry Jubilee

Souvenir programme for the Ellen Terry Jubilee Commemoration at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, June 12th 1906. This hard-back brochure gives full details of all the events including Trial By Jury with Gilbert himself as Associate. As well as familiar Savoyards in the solo parts, the production included many famous faces in the jury (e.g. Arthur Conan Doyle) and in the crowd (e.g. Rosina Brandram).

Ellen Terry Jubilee

Rare tissue paper programme for the Ellen Terry Jubilee celebration. Main cast members are included for all the major events, which are listed in a different order to that in the official hard-back brochure. There is also an important cast change for Trial By Jury with Marie Tempest as Plaintiff rather than Ruth Vincent, possibly suggesting that this was an unofficial souvenir printed before finalisation of the event.