Bill, playbill

London's theatres competed for large audiences, and used playbills like this to promote their programme of entertainments. This playbill announces a programme of entertainment at the Ladbroke Theatre of Varieties, taking place on the 29th April 1878. The evening's entertainment was a benefit for Mr W.F.Moss. Theatrical benefits were a common way of supplementing wages. This playbill isprinted in red and black to help it stand out. This playbill is one of several that gives information about nearby rail stations, in this case Notting Hill Station, now called Ladbroke Grove. Theatres sought to attract audiences from further afield as the capital's rail links were built and more stations opened.