Press Clippings for the week ending
Saturday, 6 June 2009

A random selection of clippings
from newspapers and magazines

Little Tich receives a rousing reception at the Hippodrome, Manchester, Monday, 2 July 1906

Little Tich (Harry Relph, 1867-1928),
English music hall comedian,
billed at the Manchester Hippodrome, July 1906, as
'The Napoleon of the Army of Fun, and Queen of the Serpentine Dance.'
(The Manchester City News, Saturday, 30 June 1906, p. 1d, advertisement)

(photo: unknown, circa 1908)

'Of late years Little Tich, who is appearing this week at the Manchester Hippodrome, has spent most of his time at Paris or Brussels. He is one of the few English musichall comedians who seems to find more favour abroad than at home. At his opening performance on Monday, after the little man had given his three comic songs with the customary droll accompaniment, a large section of the audience noisily demanded more. Tich in response came forward and after a few words of thanks for the splendid reception asked to be excused any further effort in view of the length of the program. The clapping and calls were resumed, making it impossible for the next party on turn, four American comedians, to be heard. Then the lights in the house were lowered and the crowning of the King and Queen of Norway was shown on the screen by means of the biograph and the tumult came gradually to an end.' (The Manchester City News, Manchester, England, Saturday, 7 July 1906, p. 7a) * * * * * * * * The Olympiers, poses plastique artists, at the Hippodrome, Manchester, week beginning Monday, 16 July 1906

Willie Olympier as Max Kruse's Messenger from Marathon,
of the Three Olympiers, Original-Bronzestatüen

(photo: unknown, possibly Germany, circa 1906)

'A novel and interesting feature in the entertainment at the Hippodrome this week is provided by the Olympiers. All three men have well developed bodies, and, clothed almost solely in what resembles a bronze paint, cleverly arrange themselves in a series of classical studies. These include Paul [sic] Kruse's Messenger from Marathon, Wenk's Atlas Group, Socco's Fighting Brothers, Charles's Kiss of Victory, and quoit throwing, and wrestling and battle scenes; and the applause which greet each picture is well deserved.' (The Manchester City News, Manchester, England, Saturday, 21 July 1906, p. 5f) * * * * * * * * Marie Lloyd at the,br> Oxford music hall, London, March 1907

Marie Lloyd and Alec Hurley with a friend
in a traditional bullock car or sleigh while on holiday at Madeira

(photo: unknown, Madeira, between 1905 and 1907)

'Miss Marie Lloyd is back again at the Oxford, and Mr. Blyth Pratt smiles once again as he looks round the house, which is now resuming its appearance of prosperity to which we were accustomed in the ante-strike days. The favourite comedienne, after her holiday in Madeira, returns in excellent fettle, and it was patent to her admiers on Monday that she rejoiced at her reappearance at a house where her success was never in doubt. The feeling was mutual, and the magnetism of sympathy evidently inspired her as she stepped on to the stage in a beautiful gown of white satin and chiffon to song of ''The custom of the country,'' to give us in inimitable fashion a monologue on the racy and romantic incidents of Lady Jane's train journey, and to inspire us with the Castilian brio of her Spanish song. Nothing new can be said of these numbers, unless it be noted that they afford the popular Marie the necessary opportunities of showing her many-sided genius.' (The Era, London, Saturday, 9 March 1907, p. 21c) * * * * * * * *

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© John Culme, 2009