Humpty Dumpty

Event Information

Venue(s):
Olympic Theatre

Event Type:
Play With Music

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
6 January 2019

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

21 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM
22 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM
23 Dec 1868, 1:30 PM
23 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM
24 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM
25 Dec 1868, 1:30 PM
25 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM
26 Dec 1868, 1:30 PM
26 Dec 1868, 8:00 PM

Performers and/or Works Performed

1)
Text Author: Fox
Participants:  George Washington Lafayette Fox (role: Clown);  Rita Sangalli

Citations

1)
Announcement: New-York Daily Tribune, 19 December 1868, 7.
2)
Advertisement: New York Herald, 20 December 1868.
3)
Announcement: New York Herald, 21 December 1868, 6.

No fewer than 315 performances of this pantomime have already taken place.  “How many chubby little faces will make the Olympic one huge smile during the holidays?”

4)
Advertisement: New-York Times, 21 December 1868, 7.
5)
Announcement: New York Post, 22 December 1868, [2].
6)
Review: New York Herald, 23 December 1868, 10.

The pantomime now includes a comedic burlesque of the railroad scene in After Dark, in which the mischievous Humpty is rescued from the imminent peril of an advancing train by the hero Pantaloon, who breaking through an impassable wall in several convenient openings, strikes the picturesque attitude of the Colossus of Rhodes and seizing Humpty elevates him in his arms, while the train passes shrieking and rattling between his outstretched legs. The scene is about 20 minutes long.  For the week after next the pantomime will be completely reconstructed.

7)
Review: New York Herald, 24 December 1868, 3.

The children were delighted with Humpty last evening “when Fox was pounded, brickbatted, and hunted in the most unmerciful manner, to such an outrageous indeed, that several young gentlemen (whose importance was considerable and papers of candy huge) were about to interfere.  The boys screamed with joy when Fox got the best of the policeman.”

8)
Announcement: New-York Times, 24 December 1868, 5.
9)
Review: New York Herald, 25 December 1868, 8.

The young people in the audience enjoyed H. D. immensely.

10)
Article: New York Clipper, 26 December 1868, 302, 2d col., middle.

Clifton W. Tayleure has relinquished his highly successful management of the Olympic Theatre, effective 26 Dec., and will assume management of Pike’s Opera House on 9 Feb.

11)
Announcement: New York Clipper, 26 December 1868, 302, 2d col., bottom.
12)
Review: New York Herald, 27 December 1868.

Many children were at the performances.

13)
Article: New York Clipper, 02 January 1869, 310, 3d col., top.

Description of the cause of a gas explosion in the vault in front of the theater before the 26 Dec. performance.

14)
Review: New York Clipper, 02 January 1869, 310, 3d col., middle.

No mention of music.  Business manager Clifton Tayleure to be replaced by Dan Simmons at the close of this week.