History of Seaham - Stories and remarkable and memorable events in the history of Seaham Entertainment, Sport, Horticulture Shows in Seaham What did we do in Seaham Harbour before TV was invented?
What did we do in Seaham before TV was invented?
Seaham Harbour was visited by a number of roving theatrical groups and entertainers during the 1800’s. Famous in all of the Northern towns were Sanger’s Circus and Wombwell’s Menagerie which was later taken over by Edmond’s. When Wombwell’s Menagerie came to town they presented a procession of animals and reptiles not to be missed. More than a dozen caravans were pulled by 45 powerful horses, three camels and two elephants. The Paragon Circus in the 1870’s had an excellent equestrian troupe, trapeze artists, acrobats and musical band. Kelly’s Waxworks were popular with the children and when Hiscoe’s Caravans came to town they contained all manner of “living” skeletons. The proprietor of Blight’s Dog and Monkey Circus was often praised for the manner in which they trained the dogs and monkeys. Numerous companies of travelling actors staged Shakespearean and other popular plays at the Canterbury Music Hall, Theatre Royal, Royal Alhambra Theatre and the Londonderry Music Hall and Theatre. An article from the Newcastle Chronicle in 1886 reminisces about the theatrical Thorne Company that visited the town in the 1840’s. It is interesting that the article mentions “Billy Purvis” a famous comic and clown well known throughout the area and as famous as our “little waster” Bobby Thompson.
Billy Purvis clown and jester (1784 – 1853) used to set up his show in Church Street, Seaham Harbour. Billy died on 16th December 1853 whilst staying at the Angel Inn at Hartlepool. A headstone was erected at his grave at St Hilda’s Church, the Headland, Hartlepool several years after his death by "Lord" George Sanger, the famous circus proprietor and eccentric millionaire. (Biography of Billy Purvis courtesy of Paul Lanaghan)
Carving of Billy Purvis in the Newcastle Discovery Museum (Photo credit Paul Lanaghan)
Painting of Billy Purvis in the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle (Photo credit Paul Lanaghan)
Other entertainment and theatrical programmes in the town of Seaham during the 19th and 20th century can be seen here: - Entertainment, Sport, Horticulture Shows in Seaham (seahampast.co.uk)
Seaham Weekly News 9th June 1860
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