The Rosebank Theatre stood on the site of what would become the Empire.
This playbill provides evidence that entertainment at the hall prior to the opening of the Empire consisted of music hall acts.
Although the playbill is undated, there are several clues that help pinpoint the year. Friday, 19th June fell in a number of years during the nineteenth century, but the poster most likely relates to 1891 for several reasons. Horatio Appleby was an established Dundee actor who appeared at the Dundee Music Hall & Opera House in 1898 (The Evening Telegraph, 11 October 1898), while Little Daisy Hughes performed at the city’s Reform Street Hall in October 1888 (Dundee Courier & Argus, 29 October 1888).
ROSEBANK THEATRE.
FRIDAY, 19th JUNE.
DOUBLE COMPANY!
The only Scotch Night of the Season.
BENEFIT
OF
HORATIO APPLEBY
(DOUGAL CRATUR),
On which occasion and for THIS NIGHT ONLY the following great
Dundee Favourites will appear:—
Mrs Harry Hughes,
(AS MADGE WILDFIRE),
The Celebrated Performing Dog “ISLA,” with
Mr G. YOUNG.
W. GARDNER,
Athole’s Champion Highland Dancer.
FRED. TYSON,
Characteristic Vocalist.
Miss CRISSIE JOHNSTONE,
DANSEUSE.
Miss ROSE MASTELE,
COMEDIENNE.
LITTLE DAISY HUGHES,
AS BUFFALO BILL, (in character)
HARRY HUGHES.
Dundee’s Well-known Comedian.
THE PERFORMANCE WILL COMMENCE WITH
JEANNIE DEANS,
Jeannie Deans, … … … Miss Raymond
Madge Wildfire, … … … Mrs Harry Hughes
Queen Caroline, … … … Miss Mastele
Geordie Robertson, … … … Mr J. Young
Duke of Argyle, … … … Mr Harry Hughes
Laird of Dumbiedykes, … … … Mr Tom Watson
David Deans, … … … Horatio Appleby
Other Characters by the Company.
To be followed with a Grand Miscellaneous Entertainment with the above Artists.
To conclude by special desire with the great Scotch Drama, entitled the
DUMB DROVER OF STIRLING,
Dumb Drover, … … … Mr Harry Hughes
Dougal M’Lellan, … … … Mr John Young
In which the renowned struggle will take place between Messrs Hughes & Young,
introducing the Knife, Pickaxe, Spade, and Hay-Fork.
DON’T FAIL TO COME ON FRIDAY FIRST!
R.A.O.B.