Gaby Deslys "PASSING SHOW" Basil Hallam / Violet Essex 1914 London Program

Description

This is a rare November 23rd, 1914 programme (playbill) from the Original West End production of the Musical Revue "THE PASSING SHOW" at the Palace Theatre in London. (The production opened April 20th, 1914 and ran for 351 performances.) ..... The London production of "The Passing Show" starred GABY DESLYS , BASIL HALLAM and HARRY PILCER and featured
ARTHUR PLAYFAIR, Miss DORA POOLE, Mr. T. GRAHAM, LEWIS SYDNEY, Mr. EADIE,
Miss CONNIE AMOR,
NELSON KEYS, Mr. PARRY, Miss FREDA CHARTERIS, Mr. HAYES,
Miss MARION PEAKE,
Miss GWENDOLINE BROGDEN,
Miss FLORENCE SWEETMAN, Mr. A. FAIRLEY and the SIXTEEN PALACE GIRLS. The opening entertainment included performances by Vocalist VIOLET ESSEX and Ladder Equilibrist DU CALION ..... CREDITS: Music composed by HERMAN FINCK; Book and Lyrics by ARTHUR WIMPERIS; Sets designed by AMABLE, BRUCE SMITH, G. SACKMAN and RONSIN; Costumes designed by PASCAUD (Paris), SUZANNE (London), ALIAS, CLARKSON and MORRIS ANGEL; Dances Staged by GUS SOHLKE; Produced and Directed by ALFRED BUTT ..... Side note: Earlier in the run,
American ELSIE JANIS made her London stage debut in "The Passing Show" with BASIL HALLAM, both of whom would star the following year in London's "The Passing Show of 1915". They became romantically involved before Hallam entered the service during World War I with the Royal Flying Corps. They had set up home in Liverpool, but tragically, like so many of his generation, Basil Hallam
died in action near Calais, France. Janis never quite recovered from his death, but renewed her commitment
to travel to the front and provide entertainment to the troops
..... DETAILS: The oversized twenty page program measures 8 1/4" X 10 3/8" inches and includes full production credits, cast list, scenes, musical numbers and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast photos or bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a light vertical crease, the date written at the top of the cover and minor edge wear, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.