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Location: Various
County: Various
Type: Other Performances by Americans
Date: 1 January 1846-31 December 1846
Date notes:
Notes:
Events featuring American performers that were recorded in The Brighton Herald, The Bristol Mercury, The Bristol Mirror, Examiner, Morning Chronicle, The Newcastle Advertiser, The Newcastle Journal, The Nottingham Journal, The Nottingham Mercury, Observer, The Sheffield Iris and Theatrical Journal in 1846. Some references also come from documents found in The British Library, The Portsmouth Public Library, and the University of Bristol Theatre Collection:
January 19-31: Edwin Forrest performs (in a variety of pieces) at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield.
February 2-14: “The American Brothers” perform in the breaks at the nightly magic show at the New Strand Theatre, London. They participate in several day showings as well.
February 4, 6, 9-14: Performances by (or of?) Tom Thumb at the Pavilion Theatre, London.
February 16:Tom Thumb appears at the Theatre Royal, Brighton.
March 16: Performances by “Carter, the Lion King” and “Field Marshal Tom Thumb” as part of the circus at Astley’s Amphitheatre, London
March 24: Henry Russell gives a vocal entertainment at the Town Hall, Brighton.
April 13, 14: Scheduled performances by Henry Smith (at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield) are cancelled due to Smith’s ongoing legal battles with Henry Russell.
April 13-18: Tom Thumb appears at the Horticultural Rooms, Bristol.
April 14, 15: The Hutchinson Family gives vocal entertainments at the Nottingham Mechanics’ Institute.
April 20-25: “The American Brothers” again appear in the intervals at the New Strand Theatre, London. (3 day & six evening shows this week)
April 27-29: General Tom Thumb performs in ‘Hop ‘O My Thumb’ at the Lyceum Theatre, London. He also appears in day and evening “Levees” at the Egyptian Hall, London
May 1,4: Vocal Entertainments by Henry Smith at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield.
May 11: The entertainments at the Theatre Royal, Bristol include performances by Tom Thumb. (Though this may have been the British Tom Thumb…)
June 1, 2: The Hutchinson Family perform at the Theatre Royal, Sheffield
July 21-23:Tom Thumb’s “Farewell Levees” at the Assembly Rooms, Nottingham.
c. July 27-August 8: Henry Russell performs at the Strand, London.
August 12 & 14:Vocal Entertainments by Henry Russell at the Theatre Royal, Bristol.
August 17 & 18:Tom Thumb gives “Farewell Levees” at the Newburgh Rooms, Brighton.
August 21-22:Tom Thumb appears at the Green Row Rooms, Portsmouth. Listed as his final performances prior to departing for the U.S.
September 15:Vocal Entertainments by Henry Russell at the Nottingham Mechanics’ Institute.
October 5-6: Henry Russell performs at the Sheffield Music Hall.
November 4 & 9:Henry Russell appears at the Newcastle Music Hall
November 25-28:Tom Thumb appears in ‘Hop O’ My Thumb’ at the Queen’s Theatre, Manchester. He also gives day and evening Levees at the Manchester Casino.
December 15 & 16:Henry Russell gives Musical Entertainments at the Theatre Royal, Brighton.
December 17:Henry Russell performs in Chichester.
Note: Events listed here are those in which American performers DID NOT perform acts relevant to the representation of African/African Diasporic identity or American Slave Culture. Several other performances by Americans (in which the individuals did participate in race-related acts can be found throughout the Events section of this database.
Bibliographic Sources
Brighton Herald February 14, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Notice of an appearance by Field Marshal Tom Thumb at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on Monday, February 16, 1846.
Brighton Herald March 28, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Mention of Henry Russell’s vocal entertainment at the Town Hall, Brighton the previous Tuesday evening.
Brighton Herald August 15, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for the “Farewell Levees of General Tom Thumb”, to be held at the Newburgh Rooms, Brighton on August 17 & 18 (matinees & evenings).
Brighton Herald December 5, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for Henry Russell’s Musical Entertainments at the Theatre Royal, Brighton on December 15 and 16. Also mentions that Russell will be performing in Chichester on December 17.
Bristol Mercury May 16, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Review of performances at the Theatre Royal on May 13, 1846, in which “The English Dwarf, Field-marshal Tom Thumb” participated. Is this the American, or a British imitator?
Bristol Mercury April 11, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for performances by “Field Marshal Tom Thumb” at the Horticultural Rooms (Bristol), during the week of April 13, 1846.
Bristol Mirror August 8, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for Vocal Entertainments by Henry Russell on August 12 & 14 at the Theatre Royal (Bristol).
Bristol Mirror May 9, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Listing of the following week’s entertainments at the Theatre Royal (Bristol). Tom Thumb is to appear on Monday (May 11).
British Library, BL Mic. C. 13137 Playbills 362: April 27-29, 1846 (Lyceum)
Info in Record:
Playbill advertising the entertainments on offer at the Lyceum Theatre (London) on April 27, 28 & 29, 1846. Includes the 21st, 22nd, & 23rd performances of ‘Hop O’ My Thumb,’ featuring General Tom Thumb. Also notes that Thumb is simultaneously appearing in “Day and Evening Levees at the Egyptian Hall.”
British Library, BL Mic. C. 13137 Playbills 251: Nov. 25, 1846 (Queen's)
Info in Record:
Playbill advertising “General Tom Thumb” in “Hop O’ My Thumb” at the Queen’s Theatre, Manchester on November 25th & 26th, 1846. Also notes that Thumb’s “Engagement at this Theatre does not in any way interfere with his usual Day and Evening Levees at the Casino”.
British Library, BL Mic. C. 13137 Playbills 251: Nov. 27, 1846 (Queen's)
Info in Record:
Playbill advertising “General Tom Thumb” in “Hop O’ My Thumb” at the Queen’s Theatre, Manchester on November 27th & 28th, 1846. Also notes that Thumb’s “Engagement at this Theatre does not in any way interfere with his usual Day and Evening Levees at the Casino”.
Examiner (London) April 18, 1846: 254.
Info in Record:
Performance Type:
Variety
Troupe Name: “The American Brothers”
Days & Times: “every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday Morning, and every Evening until further notice”
Venue Name: “New Strand Theatre”
Other Acts on Bill: “M. Phillippe” [main act], “Dancing of the Chirarini Family”
Other:
description/review,
performance time,
ticket info
Morning Chronicle (London) February 2, 1846: 4.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for M. Philippe’s Wonders and incredible Chinese Delusions,” at the New Strand Theatre. (Every evening in the coming week, plus a Juvenile entertainment “every Thursday Morning, commencing at Two o’clock”) “The astounding feats of the American Brothers” are also on the bill.
Newcastle Advertiser October 24, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for vocal entertainments by Henry Russell on November 4 & 9, 1846 at the Music Hall, Newcastle.
Newcastle Journal October 31, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for vocal entertainments by Henry Russell on November 4 & 9, 1846 at the Music Hall, Newcastle.
Nottingham Journal April 3, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for performances by The Hutchinson Family at the Nottingham Mechanics’ Institute on April 14 & 15.
Nottingham Mercury April 3, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for performances by The Hutchinson Family at the Nottingham Mechanics’ Institute on April 14 & 15.
Nottingham Mercury April 17, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Review of The Hutchinson Family’s recent entertainments at the Nottingham Mechanics’ Institute.
Nottingham Mercury July 17, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for General Tom Thumb’s “Farewell Levees”, to be held at the Assembly Rooms, Nottingham on July 21-23, 1846.
Nottingham Mercury September 11, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for a Vocal Entertainment by Henry Russell at the Mechanics’ Institute on September 15, 1846.
Nottingham Mercury September 18, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Brief review of Russell’s recent Vocal Entertainment at the Mechanics’ Institute.
Nottingham Mercury October 8, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Description of the recent (potentially ongoing?) Nottingham Pleasure Fair, at which “two Circassian ladies” were exhibited.
Observer (London) February 1, 1846: 1.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for M. Philippe’s Wonders and incredible Chinese Delusions,” at the New Strand Theatre. (Every evening in the coming week, plus a morning performance on “Thursday next”). “The astounding feats of the American Brothers” are also on the bill.
Advertisement for M. Philippe’s Wonders and incredible Chinese Delusions,” at the New Strand Theatre. (Every evening in the coming week, plus a Juvenile entertainment “every Wednesday and Saturday Morning at Two o’clock”). “The astounding feats of the American Brothers” are also on the bill.
Advertisement for Astley’s Amphitheatre, which lists Carter, the ‘Lion King,’” and “Field Marshal Tom Thumb, the wonder of the world” amongst the acts for the following day (March 16)
Portsmouth Central Library, Historical Collections Playbill (Green Row Rooms) - August 21-22, 1846
Info in Record:
Playbill advertising performances by General Tom Thumb at the Green Row Rooms, Portsmouth on August 21-22, 1846. Listed as his final performances prior to departing for the U.S.”
Portsmouth Central Library, Historical Collections Playbill (Green Row Rooms) - August 21-22, 1846
Info in Record:
Playbill advertising performances by General Tom Thumb at the Green Row Rooms, Portsmouth on August 21-22, 1846. Listed as his final performances prior to departing for the U.S.”
Sheffield Iris January 15, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Announcement of the Engagement of Edwin Forrest. Forrest is to appear as Spartacus in Gladiator on January 19, 1846 (Sheffield Theatre).
Sheffield Iris January 22, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for performances of Gladiator (with Edwin Forrest as Spartacus) and Richelieu (with Forrest as Richelieu) on January 22 and 23, respectively. (at the Sheffield Theatre).
Sheffield Iris January 22, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Positive review of Edwin Forrest’s performance in Gladiator on January 19, 1846 at the Sheffield Theatre. Notes that the piece was repeated at the Theatre on January 20.
Sheffield Iris January 29, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Review of Edwin Forrest’s performance in Richelieu at the Sheffield Theatre on January 23, 1846. Also notes that Forrest had appeared in The Gladiator at the Theatre from January 19-22.
Sheffield Iris April 23, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Advertisement for Vocal Entertainments by Henry Smith, to be held at the Theatre on May 1 & 4, 1846.
Sheffield Iris May 7, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Announcement of performances by the Hutchinson Family, American Vocalists at the Theatre on June 1 & 2, 1846.
--
Sheffield Iris May 7, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Somewhat negative review of Smith’s recent vocal entertainments at the Sheffield Theatre. Smith criticized particularly for imitating others (Russell?).
Sheffield Iris June 4, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Lengthy review of the Hutchinson Family’s recent entertainment at the Theatre.
Sheffield Iris October 1, 1846: Referenced in University of Bristol, Barker Collection.
Info in Record:
Announcement for vocal entertainments by Henry Russell at the Sheffield Music Hall on October 5 & 6, 1846.
Theatrical Journal (London) March 21, 1846: 93:1.
Info in Record:
Mention of performances of by (or of?) Tom Thumb at the Pavilion Theatre on February 4, 6, and 9-14, 1846.
Theatrical Journal (London) August 1, 1846: 244:1.
Info in Record:
Positive review of Henry Russell’s recent entertainments at the Strand. (No mention of any minstrelsy-related songs).
University of Bristol, Kathleen Barker Collection KB/3: Sheffield Theatre Royal Index. Jan. 19, 1846
Info in Record:
Listing of the entertainments at the Sheffield Theatre Royal on January 19, 1846. Edwin Forrest performs.
University of Bristol, Kathleen Barker Collection KB/3: Sheffield Theatre Royal Index Apr. 13, 1846
Info in Record:
Notes scheduled performances by Henry Smith at the Theatre Royal Sheffield (on April 13, 1846), that were eventually cancelled due to Smith’s legal battles with Henry Russell.
On the Road Again
