(our reference
# 640)
PROGRAMME : "Lady Huntworth's Experiment " preceded by "Her Grace, the Reformer" (by Mrs Henry de la Pasture)
WRITTEN BY : R.C.Carton
VENUE : Theatre Royal, Haymarket (London)
LESSEE & MANAGER : Mr Frederick Harrison
SEASON/PERIOD : first performed 12th January 1907
FEATURING : See photos of cast lists - which included Charles Hawtrey, Fred Lewis, Charles Crawford
Programme description
Height & width : about 8¼ x 6½ inches
Number of pages
: 4 - single folded sheet (< alternative 1, first night) or 8 pages, including covers (< alternative 2, dated Jan 21, 1907)
Weight
: 8 grams (alternative 1) or 15 grams (alternative 2)
Condition* : Moderate/Good (see photos*). Handwriting on covers,
* We have 2 copies of this programme in similar condition.
One is a single folded sheet with handwriting on the cover with the date "Sat 12.1.07" and the words "First night"
The other is 2 folded sheets with the date "Jan 21 1907" handwritten on it (it was printed on 18/1/07 which is shown on the back cover). The additional pages all contain advertising as seen in the photos. The two sheets are stapled together with a single, slightly rusty staple and the back cover has a strip of folded paper running down the spine.
Please advise us of which alternative you would prefer.
The Theatre Royal
Haymarket in London’s West End dates to 1720 and is the 3rd
oldest London playhouse still being used. The Royal patent, for “legitimate
spoken drama” (as opposed to opera, concerts and musical plays) was granted in
1766. The theatre has been in its current location since 1821 when it was
redesigned by John Nash with a seating capacity of 888. It was also the first
theatre to schedule matinee performances, starting in 1875, and was soon
followed by many others.
The theatre was taken over by the
Bancrofts in 1879 and they carried out major reconstruction of the auditorium.
This included a “picture frame stage” (proscenium) which was the first in
London, removing the “pit”, and replacing the standing space with stalls
seating. This change was very unpopular at first – but gradually the stalls
became accepted as being “the best seats in the house!” Herbert Beerbohm Tree
took over in the late 1880’s when the Bancrofts retired and, amongst other
innovations he installed electric lights!. In 1896 Cyril Maude and Frederick
Harrison became the Lessees until Maude acquired the Playhouse theatre in 1905
- leaving Harrison in sole control until he died in 1926.
*Notes on Programme Condition* Many of our programmes are 90 to 130 years old and consequently usually have signs of "yellowing", "tanning/toning" and, in some cases, "foxing" (brown spots). Print quality varies and there may also be some small creases, thumbed corners and minor tears along the edges of the pages and, particularly, the covers. Some programmes have poorly and unevenly cut edges to the covers and inner pages. If metal staples were used they may have rusted, partially or completely, leasing rust stains and some, or all, of the pages unstapled. In some instances, the crease along the seam (fold) of the cover pages may have split resulting in the covers separating. Depending on the extent of these various imperfections, and the programmes age, we grade it as being “Very Good, Good, Moderate, Poor or Very Poor” and, if we consider it relevant, we will specify significant damage.
The grading and comments are our own opinion and are not any form of “warrantee”. Please study the photos closely before bidding for, or purchasing, any programme
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