This poster advertised the annual benefit night of popular Dundee Music Hall performer W. McFarland. Featuring a packed programme of singers, dancers, comedians, acrobats, trained animals, and variety acts, the event showcased the breadth of entertainment typical of late Victorian music halls. Benefit performances were important occasions, allowing leading performers to receive a share of the evening’s takings while drawing large audiences with specially assembled programmes.
DUNDEE MUSIC HALL
Sole Lessee…. Mr W. McFarland
MONSTRE GATHERING!
GRAND VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL, HIBERNIAN, AND TERPSICHOREAN FESTIVAL!
The Greatest Night of the Season
TO-NIGHT, FRIDAY
MAY 7th, 1880
ANNUAL BENEFIT
OF MR.
W. M’FARLAND
“Who, on this occasion, will present the most powerful programme ever submitted to the public of Dundee”
Extra Local Attraction in Addition to the Great Music Hall Company
For this Night Only, Mr
G. Rutherford Thompson
Has kindly consented to recite “THE RUINED COTTAGE”
For this Night Only, Mr
Wm. M’Gonnegal [McGonagall]
(The Royal Poet)
“Will recite his Original Poem, “BRUCE OF BANNOCKBURN”
For This Night Only, the following
HIGHLAND DANCERS
Have kindly consented to appear – Bros. Ward, Mr Jackson Rork, Messers Nicoll & MacGregor. Piper Mr John Stewart
For This Night Only, the following well-known Amateurs have volunteered their services: –
MISS M.,A. SHERRIE (Ballad Vocalist)
CUSSICK & GARRIGAN (Irish Vocalists and Dancers)
FOLLON & SPALDING (Variety Entertainers)
JOE PALLAS (Variety Artists, Vocalists, and Dancer)
New Programme by the Best Company of the Season
SCREAMING EXTRAVAGANZA
By the Irresistibly Funny Quartette, Messrs
DE VOY, LE CLERQ,
LOVELL, & BUTLER
Introducing their amazingly sagacious Baby, “ELEPHANT”
MR. & MRS. JOE ALLEN
Dundee’s Greatest Favourites, will on this occasion produce an entirely New and Original Entertainment, entitled “ROGERS & PRODGERS AND LODGERS & DODGERS.” With New [unreadable] New Effects, &c., &c.. The above Entertainment written by Mr JOE ALLEN
Ludicrous Tricks, Antics, and Somersaults by MONS. BUER’s
PERFORMING DOGS & MONKEYS
LITTLE LEVITE & JESSIE NINA
Pantomime Speciality Artistes, introducing LITTLE LEVITE’S Wonderful “JERUSALEM.” – Don’t move – It breathes. If you can guess what it is you can have it.
MISS CARRIE VER (Burlesque Artiste)
JOVIAL JOE COLVERD
With his Repertoire of entirely New Songs.
THE BAND
Which will be greatly augmented, under the Direction of Mr R. Stevenson, will perform an Original SCOTCH FANTASIA arranged for this occasion by Mr SAM GEORGE, Pianist
A Valuable LADY’S GOLD WATCH
Will be given to the author of the
BEST CONUNDRUM
Which must be sent to Mr McFarland not later than Six o’clock To-night
The Gold Watch may be seen in the Window of the “Globe,” High Street
W. M’Farland will address his numerous Friends and Patrons TO-NIGHT.
Admission: Boxes, 1s; Balcony, 9d; Body, 6d; Back Seats, 4d.
The Entertainment will commence at 7:15, Doors Open Half-an-Hour earlier.