Amateur Theatre Wiki - User contributions [en]

Race

2025-09-08T19:15:58Z

Helen Brooks:

Evidence of the involvement of people of colour within private and amateur theatricals is poorly evidenced in the historical record. This page aims to gather together evidence to better support our historical understanding and research of the historical contribution of people of colour to private and amateur theatricals.

A comment about the Hinchingbrook private theatre, in November 1787, noting that Lord Sandwich had taken over managing the thunder and the lightning, includes a fascinating reference to a Black servant who had been involved in the theatre's theatricals until his death. The note refers to the fact that 'formerly a ''Black Servant'' of his used to direct the storms - but it was thought his outward appearance made them too horrible. Lord Sandwich, however, continued him 'till his death - as his Lordship never regarded any outwards appearances whatever.' <ref>Collection of cuttings in scrapbook on private theatricals, British Library</ref>

Public prejudices could actually block public amateur theatricals from taking place. In 1888, the Philadelphia Amateur Dramatic Association (PADA), “a downtown organization of young colored thespians,” sought $1,000 in damages from Peter Reuter, the proprietor of the Wheatley Dramatic Hall, for breach of contract (“Colored Actors” 1). The PADA had reserved the hall weeks in advance for a performance of ''The Hunchback'' and the first act of ''Hamlet'', and “about 800 tickets were printed, circulars were distributed, programmed procured, costumes hired, and ushers engaged for the performance.” About $100 worth of tickets had been sold and then a week before the performance Mr. Reuter informed Mr. Anderson, the business manager of the association, that they could not have the hall because another company had engaged it for the whole week. The PADA had to return the money for tickets and were of course responsible for the debts contracted (“Colored Actors” 1).<ref>“Colored Actors Claim Damages.” ''New York Times'' 13 October 1888. 1.</ref>

Race

2025-09-08T19:00:35Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "Evidence of the involvement of people of colour within private and amateur theatricals is poorly evidenced in the historical record. This page aims to gather together evidence to better support our historical understanding and research of the historical contribution of people of colour to private and amateur theatricals. At Hinchingbrook, in November 1787 Lord Sandwich reportedly had taken over managing the thunder and the lightning. It was noted that 'formerly a ''Bla..."

Gordon Castle

2025-09-08T18:42:51Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "''The Times'', on 28 September 1792 reported that 'the Theatrical mania has reached Scotland, where the bonny Duchess is enlivening the Society of her Friends'. On 2 October 1792, the ''Courier'' reported that a 'pretty little theatre' had been built at Gordon Castle and that the nobility and gentry were amusing themselves with private theatricals."

''The Times'', on 28 September 1792 reported that 'the Theatrical mania has reached Scotland, where the bonny Duchess is enlivening the Society of her Friends'. On 2 October 1792, the ''Courier'' reported that a 'pretty little theatre' had been built at Gordon Castle and that the nobility and gentry were amusing themselves with private theatricals.

Eaton Hall Theatre

2025-09-08T18:40:41Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "There was an evening's entertainment entitled Lord Grosvenor's Gala at the Eaton Hall Theatre on 6 September 1788. A prologue critical of the Restoration and Charles II was spoken. On 20 September 1788 ''Hamlet'' and ''High Life Below Stairs'' were staged at the theatre. In 1789, on 19 September the ''World'' reported that ''Othello'' and ''Much Ado About Nothing'' had been performed. The celebrated comic actress, Dorothy Jordan, was reported as being present at some of..."

There was an evening's entertainment entitled Lord Grosvenor's Gala at the Eaton Hall Theatre on 6 September 1788. A prologue critical of the Restoration and Charles II was spoken. On 20 September 1788 ''Hamlet'' and ''High Life Below Stairs'' were staged at the theatre. In 1789, on 19 September the ''World'' reported that ''Othello'' and ''Much Ado About Nothing'' had been performed. The celebrated comic actress, Dorothy Jordan, was reported as being present at some of the performances.

The Arts League

2025-09-08T18:14:34Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "The Arts League refers to the Arts League of Service was one of the many associations, societies, leagues and institutions devoted to the arts, which emerged after the First World War. They were conceived of as part of a larger project of reconstruction and motivated by post-war desire to make art accessible. They had a conference in Nottingham in March 1921 where they invited many of these groups and trade unions representations and pledged to exert efforts to bring th..."

The Arts League refers to the Arts League of Service was one of the many associations, societies, leagues and institutions devoted to the arts, which emerged after the First World War. They were conceived of as part of a larger project of reconstruction and motivated by post-war desire to make art accessible. They had a conference in Nottingham in March 1921 where they invited many of these groups and trade unions representations and pledged to exert efforts to bring the creative work of artists in touch with the nation. In the early 1920s the Arts League of Service set up a company of plays to tour towns and villages performing amateur plays.

The Jutland Boys

2025-09-08T17:53:14Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "The Jutland Boys were a troupe of ten non-professional performers during the Great War. Their first performance was at the Euston Palace on 20 November 1916. Their act was called 'Jack Ashore' and the Examiner of Plays, Ernest Bendall described the act as: <blockquote>a little sketch introducing popular songs with connecting dialogue, for rendering by discharged naval men who took part in the battle of Jutland. It pretends, of course, to nothing in the way of dramatic in..."

The Jutland Boys were a troupe of ten non-professional performers during the Great War. Their first performance was at the Euston Palace on 20 November 1916. Their act was called 'Jack Ashore' and the Examiner of Plays, Ernest Bendall described the act as: <blockquote>a little sketch introducing popular songs with connecting dialogue, for rendering by discharged naval men who took part in the battle of Jutland. It pretends, of course, to nothing in the way of dramatic interest, but fulfills its purpose in a harmless inoffensive way.</blockquote>Their final performance was at the Edinburgh Alhambra on 18 March 1918.

The name of the troupe came from the Battle of Jutland, which took place between 31 May and 1 June 1916. The troupe presented themselves as veterans of the battle and of other naval action in the Great War. They claimed to have all been invalided out of the Royal Navy.

The Ten Tommies

2025-09-08T17:44:57Z

Helen Brooks: Created page with "The Ten Tommies were a troupe of ten performers during the Great War. They advertised themselves as being music hall artists and actors who 'were to the front in the first great rush of volunteers' and who after having 'been through the "great adventure" were now 'able once more to entertain the public'. Their first performance was the 11 September 1916 at the Bath Palace. Their final performance was 19 July 1919 at the Runnacleave Theatre, Ilfracombe."

The Ten Tommies were a troupe of ten performers during the Great War. They advertised themselves as being music hall artists and actors who 'were to the front in the first great rush of volunteers' and who after having 'been through the "great adventure" were now 'able once more to entertain the public'.

Their first performance was the 11 September 1916 at the Bath Palace. Their final performance was 19 July 1919 at the Runnacleave Theatre, Ilfracombe.