Overview

My involvement with the history of theatres suggested that the theme for this book should be the many theatres which have been affected in some way by the destructive force of fire. Their twice nightly entertainment of wide and varied music hall acts and even performing animals, provided a magical escape in the 1800s and 1900s from people’s arduous working conditions, which were often coupled with their poor and overcrowded housing. However, there was a danger of fire at these theatres as they were heated and lit by gas, were mainly constructed of wood, and many had inadequate emergency escapes. In all, they were unsuitable for their purpose of entertaining hundreds of people. It was obvious from my research that many of them were either totally destroyed or badly damaged by fire, on more than one occasion, often leading to the tragic loss of many lives. Thank goodness this resulted in new legislation demanding minimum standards for theatre safety.

Full Product Details

9781739890803

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

As an eight year old boy, walking home from Dewsbury Empire with the balloon-modelled swan made for me by Hal Monty, the history of theatre was to become my bedrock. My life long passion for the history of theatres is brought together in this book which focuses on the laughter, enjoyment, and ultimately the demise of ‘the music hall’ and the stars who performed there. These theatres were entrancing places where people could travel on a magical journey with the stars of yesteryear. For an hour or two, they could escape their arduous working conditions and living spaces. Each theatre was in its own private bubble and has many tales to tell, some sad, some funny, and some very serious stories, especially where fire was involved.  Intriguing are the sections entitled ‘Did You Know?’ relating the connection of each theatre to some important factors in the lives of the performers, audiences and theatre staff. These theatres sadly experienced devastating fires owing to their natural wooden structures being heated and lit by gas. This interesting walk through a piece of history encapsulates the magic of the individual theatres themselves, the stars who toiled in them twice nightly and yet chronicles the sad demise of some of these neighbourhood theatres.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available