Playbill

In the 19th century theatres competed to attract audiences, vying with each other to offer evermore extravagant and spectacular entertainments. Technical developments in the printing industry brought new typefaces which they seized upon to create bold and eye-catching playbills. The promised attractions were described in great detail and often illustrated with wood-block engravings.

This bill advertises the programme of plays at The Royal Victoria Theatre during the week beginning Monday 7 February 1853. The Royal Victoria was on Barkham Terrace, St George's Road, Lambeth.

Plays often reflected contemporary issues and events. Here 'The Gold Regions of Australia: or, The Fortunes of an Emigrant' tells the story of one of the thousands of Britons who left for Australia after gold was discovered in 1851. 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' is "an entirely new version" of Harriet Beecher Stowe's anti-slavery novel which was published the previous year, and which was at the time an "Extraordinary popular subject".