Description

Date: 1912

Theatre: The London Opera House,

Performance: Tales of Hoffman

Main Performers: Mr. Frank Pollock, Mr Vilmos Beck, Mlle. Berthe Cesar, Mlle. Eva Olchanski.

Not to be confused with the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, The London Opera House was the ambitious project of Oscar Hammerstein Snr. He commissioned the renowned theatre architect, Bertie Crewe, to design a lavish and large theatre to rival all opera houses. It was indeed large; it covered a complete block in Kingsway. The ornate interior was designed in the French Renaissance style and was able to seat 2,770 patrons. The theatre opened on 13^th November 1911.

But alas, Mr. Hammerstein Snr. was unable to rival the Royal Opera House, and the London Opera House closed its doors just 8 months later.

The rarity of this stunning programme is due to both the short publication period and its superb condition. It is full of advertisements aimed at high society creating an historic record of retail in the period. An insert attached to the centre offers the cast list and a brief storyline of the Tales of Hoffman.

36 pages including cover; approx. 25.5 cms x 21.5 cms. Insert:  h16.5 cms x w12.5 cms