My husband and I went to a holiday musical performance by the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra last week. It was a festive atmosphere with carolers and hot cocoa in the lobby. The orchestra began with selections from the Nutcracker, continued with classics like Greensleeves, and ended with more contemporary songs like Sleigh Ride, where we could all join in and ring jingle bells. Then we were all invited to sing carols while they played. It definitely got us into the holiday spirit!
While I’ve written about Victorian holiday traditions before, I really didn’t know what type of entertainments would have been available to them, so I did a little research. What follows is just a small sampling of holiday cheer from the theaters, music halls, and larger venues in London in December of 1900, the last Christmas of the century.
The London Hippodrome had recently opened in Leicester Square. According to the papers, “Their first Christmas programme appeals especially to the kiddies, who will applaud with childish glee the beauties of the production of Cinderella, written by W. H. Risque.” But if that wasn’t enough to delight the children of the era, there was also something called a water carnival. I have not been able to find out exactly what that is, but it was called a “glowing spectacle,” so I’m very intrigued.
Drury Lane Theater “At half-past one for the morning performance, and half-past seven, in the evening, on Boxing Day, the pantomime, “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast.” The pantomime is specially arranged for children and the young ones.”
Grand Theater in Islington produced a pantomime of Robinson Crusoe.
Other theaters throughout the city also produced pantomimes of Cinderella, Aladin, Puss in Boots, and Sinbad.
In the music halls the entertainment ranged from ballet, to light opera, to variety shows with singing and dancing.
The Crystal Palace held three performances on Boxing Day (12/26) that featured Beketoff’s Imperial Russian Circus, complete with clowns and performing animals.
The Royal Aquarium at Westminster “holds the popular record as the biggest show in the heart of London, where you may promenade, watch the performances (without paying for the privilege) on the stage, and amuse yourself with viewing the bazaar- like, stalls, where most elegant Christmas and New Year presents may be purchased.”
The list goes on and on. Clearly Londoners of the Victorian era were spoiled for choice, but one of my favorites is the exhibit of toys and dolls at Royal Albert Hall throughout December. The exhibit was funded by charitable contributions. The toys were meant for distribution to the poor, and as people contributed, the exhibit grew. The toys were all delivered to the children on Boxing Day. Now, that’s my idea of the holiday spirit.
I hope you all have a happy holiday, whatever holiday you celebrate, and see you next year!
