Printed Ephemera — 1838
Playbill
In the 19th century theatres competed to attract audiences, vying with each other to offer evermore extravagant and spectacular entertainments. Technical developments in the printing industry brought new typefaces which venues seized upon to create bold and eye-catching playbills. The promised attractions were described in great detail and often illustrated with wood-block engravings.
Plays based on historical events were popular. This bill advertises the programme at the Royal Surrey Theatre for the week beginning Monday 12 April 1838. It includes a romantic drama entitled 'The Fate of Andre! or, America in the Olden Time' which is set during the American War of Independence (1775-1783).
The Royal Surrey Theatre on Blackfriars Road, Lambeth, opened in 1782 as 'Royal Circus and Equestrian Philharmonic Academy'. After burning down in 1805, it was rebuilt a year later and became the Royal Surrey Theatre in 1816. It opened as a cinema from 1920-1924 but was demolished in 1934.
- Category:
- Printed Ephemera
- Object ID:
- A14733/4
- Object name:
- playbill
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- Fairbrother, B.S.
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1838
- Material:
paper
- Measurements/duration:
- H 340 mm, W 428 mm
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 100%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- —
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.