Entertainment in the 19th Century (2024)

McFarland’s Varieties Programme

1880–1890

L253(1A)

Beautifully illustrated programme that was changed every evening. The Venue was the Theatre Royal and the proprietor was W. McFarland. The programme cost One Penny. The Acts advertised included Messrs. Taylor and Gowans’, a Song and Dance Act, Harry Leander, The Great Tyrolean Vocalist, and Townsend and Josephine, Duettists and Leg Mania Artistes.

Included in the programme were two poems “He'll Be Back By-and- Bye” and “If I was the Man in the Moon”. There was a change of Artistes weekly. The General Manager was a Mr Harry Hemfrey, and the programme was printed by J. Durham and Son.

Newsome’s Grand Circus Programme

1884

L253(11B)

Newsome’s Hippodrome and Circus, owned by James Newsome, was situated at the Craig Pier, having been transferred to this location from East Dock Street.The performance is introduced by a Grand Overture by the Band conducted by Mr. A. Stubbs.

A complete programme of entertainment was offered with many equestrian acts, including Mlle. Pauline Newsome who introduced the wonderful performing horse “Satanella”. Admission was Sixpence for the Gallery and reserved seats cost Three Shillings.

Grand Evening Concert Tay Bridge Disaster Fund

6^th February 1880

B205

A grand evening concert of Scotch Music and Burns’ songs was given in Dundee's Kinnaird Hall on 6^th February 1880 to raise money for the Tay Bridge Disaster Fund. On 28^th December the previous year, a storm had destroyed part of the bridge, causing the loss of a passenger train.

The reverse lists all the performers, while the programme is given in detail inside. The opening “Dryburgh Quadrilles” was arranged specially for the event by the conductor, William Wallace. On the day of the concert, another body was recovered from the river.

Lectures on Cookery

22^nd–26^th August 1892

B211

This prospectus was printed 1892 for a series of practical demonstrations and lectures on cookery by Mrs H. M. Young, the author of several treatises on the subject. The classes took place in Gray’s Assembly Rooms, Perth Road, Dundee.

Sessions took place in the afternoon (costing sixpence or threepence) or in the evening (free by ticket, or threepence for a front seat). Each session had a different theme, and was divided between High-class cookery (afternoon) and Household cookery (evening).

Dundee Music Hall Poster

May 1880

L252(20)

The Dundee Music Hall was situated in a fine square stone building at the foot of Castle Street with a beautifully sprung wooden floor. It later became the City Assembly Rooms and then a Masonic Temple. This poster illustrates the attractions of the time.

The date on the poster is May 7^th 1880 and it states that it is the annual benefit of a Mr.W.McFarland. The artistes include Mr William McGonagall (spelled wrongly), Little Levite and Jessie Nina, Joe Colvero, and performing dogs and monkeys. The prices were from four pence to one shilling for a box.

Punch’s Party: A Musical Sketch for Juveniles

25^th and 27^th February 1892

L170(7B)

This programme was printed in connection with an entertainment, given in Bowbridge Works Hall, Dundee, by 60 children from the Clepington Parish Church Sabbath School Choir. The story involved solo songs, choruses, and choruses with actions.

The money raised – entrance cost 6d (2.5p) and 3d (1.5p) – was to clear the debt on the Church Hall Harmonium, an instrument which was regularly used to accompany hymn singing.

Hypnotism at the Kinnaird Hall

14^th and 16^th February 1891

L253(11D)

This programme advertises Hypnotism by Dr. Charles Rutland, the famous Hypnotist, in his Unique Entertainment from the Crystal Palace. London. He was introduced as a Hypnotised Actor, Humorist and Thought Reader and the performance took place at the Kinnaird Hall.

Dr.Rutland’s illustrations of hypnotism involved the subject being thrown into the hypnotic trance as well as losing his own identity. The programme also includes a few press comments. Admisssion was from 6d to 2/6d.

John Duncan, Artist, Party Invitation

July 28^th 1890

L276(13)

This invitation to Mr. Lamb was from John Duncan, Artist, who was exhibiting, at a party, a full-length portrait of Mrs Hunter in court dress. The party was to be held in Messrs. Murray and Son’s salon in the Nethergate. John Duncan was born in Dundee in 1866, and began his career at the Art School at the age of 11.

He went to London and Germany and spent four years as Professor of Fine Art in America. It has been said of some of Mr.Duncan’s work that it is a “transportation from the land of fairy fancy”. He died in Edinburgh in 1945.

C. T. Brock & Co.’s Grand Evening Fête

20^th May 1896

B204

For the Queen’s birthday in 1896 a spectacular fete and fireworks display were held in Carolina Port, Dundee. This programme lists all the fireworks and the music which was played by the band of the 1^st Forfar Artillery Volunteers, directed by William Wallace, one of Dundee’s leading musicians.

The climax of the event was a “colossal fire portrait of Her Majesty the Queen”, showing the dates 1819 (when she was born) and 1896. One of the displays was designed to imitate the Aurora Borealis.

Dundee Fine Art Exhibition First Conversazione

1883 20^th October 1883

L9(6)

This invitation card and programme were for a Conversazione held for the Dundee Fine Art Exhibition of 1883.The Exhibition itself ran for three months. Artists were invited to send their work – though no more than three items – for possible inclusion and sale at the Exhibition.

The programme for the Conversazione, which took place on Wednesday, 31^st October 1883, consisted of a two-part musical entertainment with “Promenading” during the interval. The entertainment consisted of a selection of songs and piano solos in part one and “The Daughter of Jairus” Cantata by S. Rheinberger in the second.