Venue(s):
Robinson Hall
Manager / Director:
John E. [actor-manager] McDonough
H. A. Earnshaw
Conductor(s):
D. Frank Tully
Price: $1 reserved; $.50; “children always half priceâ€
Event Type:
Band, Minstrel
Status:
Published
Last Updated:
11 January 2025
“…from St. James’ Great Hall, London, where they recently gave 400 consecutive representations…An entertainment distinguished by Charles Dickens in his notes entitled ‘Pictures of Italy.’”
“…Mr. Macdonough, one of the managers, is an experienced purveyor of public amusement, and has acquitted himself fairly in almost every grade between classical tragedy and travelling shows.”
Announces a “private exhibition” of the show that night. “The figures are forty-five inches high and look much larger. They are ‘worked’ by thirteen male and female performers, who occupy positions above the stage, are of course, invisible to the audience, and have followed this branch of the profession for many years. The scenery has all been painted abroad, and quite as great pains appear to have been taken with the accessories as though the puppets were human.”
Review of “private exhibition” announced in the Herald on the previous day: “We can only say that it [the performance] promises to become exceedingly popular with the younger portion of the community.”
“The Royal Marionettes from St. James Hall, London.” Gives an outline of the performance (includes “Tommy and Sarah,” “Celestial Dances,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” etc.).
“An amusing and decidedly novel entertainment may henceforward be attended, afternoon and evening…It includes a brief concert, in the style of that of the minstrels, a series of comic acts, and a patomime [sic] and fairy spectacle. All these performances, it may be urged, are not very novel, but their newness consists in the fact that they are supplied by marionettes, or puppets, who have their being on a pretty little stage especially fitted up for their use…” Further description of the performance, but no mention of music.
"Houses crowded to witness The Children’s Ballet, The Fantoccini, The Comic Mules, The Chinese Dancers, The Fairy Pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood, Gorgeous Transformation, The Flight of Neptune.”
Reviews a “private exhibition” given to the press on the evening of September 6. “…The little theatre where the puppets perform is complete in every respect, the scenery magnificent, the music good…”
“Messrs. John E. McDonough and H. A. Earnshaw have imported from London…a set of Marionettes, the property of Mr. W. J. Bullock…These dolls have long enjoyed popularity with the British public, and their exceeding merit entitles them to the amplest success here…In these marionettes we discern nothing but excellence…They sing, they dance, they strut about…A Band, led by Prof. D. F. Tully, supplies the music.” Goes on, but no further mention of music.
Describes the puppets. “…The first part consists of a minstrel entertainment, consisting of songs and choruses, winding up with a break-down by the whole company. During the second part…an old salt danced a sailor’s hornpipe; Pat and Biddy an Irish jig…Tommy and Sarah sang a duet…a Chinaman sang a song; and the part closed with a dance by three Chinese. All the performers were appropriately and correctly costumed, and the voices seemed to really issue from the figures. The final part consisted of the pantomime of ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ The dialogue of the opening was well written and liberally interspersed with songs and dances…A small but efficient orchestra furnishes popular music, and the corps of performers, who speak the dialogue and sing the vocal music behind the scenes, deserve praise…”