Entertaining Gallery

A Concert behind the Lines by Fortunino Matania

Somewhere in France - a concert behind the lines. A concert troupe or divisional entertainment company often made up of a mix of professional and amateur actors, entertaining Allied troops on the Western Front. Here the entertainers are dressed convincingly in drag. There were a number of troupes including the Whizzbangs, the Verey Lights and The Duds. Date: 1915

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

The Alhambra Theatre, London

Promotional postcard showing the Alhambra Theatre, London. Built as Panoptican of Science and Art, which opened on 18th March 1854. Designed in a Moorish style by architects Finden & Lewis as an exhibition hall, it had a capacity for 5, 000. In 1869, major alterations were carried out adding a stage so it could be used as a music hall, known as the Royal Alhambra Palace. The capacity was given as 3, 500, including standing space. The building was destroyed by a fire on 7th December 1882. Retaining the original facade, a new building was erected to the plans of architects John Perry and Frederick Reed, which opened on 3rd December 1883 as the Alhambra Theatre Royal. Again built and decorated in a Moorish style, it became a popular music hall from 18th October 1884. Redecorated to the plans of architect E. Clark in April 1888, it was renamed Alhambra Theatre in 1890. In September 1892 E. Clark & Pollard were employed to extend the circle by the removal of some side boxes, giving a total seating of 1, 438. There were 588 seats in the orchestra stalls, 166 in the grand circle, 226 in the balcony, 160 in the amphitheatre and 298 in the gallery. There was standing room for 838. In 1897, a new extension and Grand Entrance at the rear of the theatre backing onto Charing Cross Road was added, to the plans of architect W.M. Brutton. Date: circa 1902

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Moulin Rouge, Paris

Promotional postcard for the Moulin Rouge, Paris. The original house, which burned down in 1915, was co-founded in 1889 by Charles Zidler and Joseph Oller, who also owned the Paris Olympia. Close to Montmartre in the Paris district of Pigalle on Boulevard de Clichy in the 18th arrondissement, it is marked by the red windmill on its roof. The closest m鴲o station is Blanche. Moulin Rouge is best known as the spiritual birthplace of the modern form of the can-can dance. Originally introduced as a seductive dance by the courtesans who operated from the site, the can-can dance revue evolved into a form of entertainment of its own and led to the introduction of cabarets across Europe. Today, the Moulin Rouge is a tourist attraction, offering musical dance entertainment for visitors from around the world. The club's decor still contains much of the romance of fin de si裬e France. Date: circa 1900

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library