THEATRICAL ADVERTISEMENTS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 521, 12 April 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

THEATRICAL ADVERTISEMENTS.

In an article commenting on th e theatrical advertisements in the columns of the Era, the Graphic says:— Most of these “professional advertisements,” which oocupy the front page of the paper, are from the com paratively fortunate class, who have a reputation more or less with managers, and are know'll somewhere, if only among provincial audiences. Occasionally, however a simple address with initials indicates where an enterprising inpressario may turn his atten tion for neglected talent. It must not however be supposed that this advertising is all on one side. The managers are no less forward in prcclaming thendoings to the theatrical world and advertisements for professional co-opera-tion are numerous enough to indicate the activity at this time of the managerial business. A slight knowledge of technicalities is almost indispensable inreading thesecharacteritti -ai n:nr,cements. “Wanted a good low comedian,” sufficiently explains itself but a demand for “first old women and heavies” is Jess intelligible to the lay mind. “Wanted, a lady to play second in burlesques,” is an announcement tho signification of which may be easily guessed at but “two good knock-about niggers," which are regarded as a “special novelty” at Halifax, area kind of “professionals” which we are not able to describe. It is different with the serio-comic lady who is urgently required at Swansea, and the “young lady to sing Irish songs in character,” who is required fora first-class entertainment which is always travelling,” So 1 o persons accustomed to rhetorical figures there is nothing obscure in the desire of another manager to communi cote at once “with a violin, aclalrouot a trombone, and a side-drum.” In the some category may be classed the advertisement of the gentleman who desires to hear from “talent and novelties of every description,” with the warning that “they must he genuine.’ There is something, certainly, vague in the announcement, “Wanted, an attraction for a conversazione in connection with a hand of Hope;" and a “two-headed-skylark,” described as “ a curious combination,” may, for ought that appears he the title of a bird or the poetical appellation of a gifted lady Among this class of announcements wo find that at Coventry there is a demand for a “ property-man to work tho lime light well and good utilities to increase the company after pantomime;” at Soho are wanted immediately “a juvenile leading lady, a good heavy man, am l a couple of gentlemen for utility” while in another town “artists in all branches arc required previous to commencing a. monster tour in Ireland-’, More material requirements are also in active demand, and, rice versa are publicly offered. One gentleman wants “relics of the war,” and persons hs.ving uniforms, Ac., are requested to communicate; one offers to sell for 100/, a booth, three waggons, and a band carriage, which, we are assured, cost originally 300/. The same advertiser offers for 150/, a complete Marionette entertainment, including nearly 100 figures. A late manager of an important London theatre offers the whole of the costly costumes, made expressly for a celebrated burlesque; foil paper, tinsel, spangles, boots, masks, swords, and rapiers, are also among the advertised articles, wigs, too, play an important part in this department while wc learn that no actor need fear “swallowing his moustache” or his “whiskers coming off,” if ho will only use somebody’s spirit gum, which is sold at a shilling a bottle, and can be sent by post for two stamp'- extra.