Historical Theater Illustrations

Engravings of theatrical performances in 19th century, showcasing diverse cultures and styles, capturing the ambiance of historical plays and audiences.

Perils of trained skirts in crowded ballrooms when your partner has two left feet! A man steps on the long skirts of two women simultaneously & lands on the floor. Date: 1872

A PLAY IN A LONDON INN YARD, IN THE TIME OF QUEEN ELIZABETH. London, UK, 19th century engraving

A Play in an Elizabethan London Inn Yard, 1878 Artist: Walter Thornbury

The Apis Ox, end of Act II, at the Theatre des Bouffes Parisiens, costumes by Bertall, Paris, France, illustration from L'Illustration, Journal Universel, No 1158, Volume XLV, May 6, 1865.

Traditional japanese theater. Scene at a theatre in Tokyo, Japan. Old 19th century engraved illustration Travel to Japan by Aime Humbert from El Mundo en La Mano 1879

Historical illustration of the costume party or carnival party of artists in Berlin, Germany, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an origin...

BAZAAR AT THE "STAR AND GARTER," RICHMOND, IN AID OF THE NATIONAL ORPHAN HOME, LONDON, UK, 1876

SCENE FROM THE DRAMA OF DON GUZMAN, AT A SOIRE OF THE ROYAL ASSOCIATION IN AID OF THE LONDON DEAF AND DUMB, 1877 engraving

Engraving depicts an Auvergnats Ball in Paris. Dated 1870

Perils of trained skirts in crowded ballrooms when your partner has two left feet! A man steps on the long skirts of two women simultaneously & lands on the floor. Date: 1872

Colonel Ichabod Bennet Crane, 1787-1857, at a Ball at the Dance, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

Opera mask ball, first act o Henriette Marechal, by Edmond and Jules Goncourt, at the Theatre Francais, Paris, France, illustration by L'Illustrazione, Journal Universel, No 1190, Volume XLVI, December 16, 1865, Paris, France.

SCENE FROM MR. BOUCICAULT'S NEW DRAMA AT THE ADELPHI

Mr. Westland Marston's New Play of "Philip of France and Marie de Meranie" (Act III. Scene Last), at the Olympic Theatre, London, 1850. 'The play met with triumphant success, and has, moreover, the credit of having brought Miss Faucit back to the London public, and restored Mr. Brooke to the Olympic stage. Both, in the parts of the hero and heroine, exerted themselves to the utmost of their talent. Miss Faucit, indeed, acted with her usual fascination. She dropped the words of the text like melodious dews; and, indeed, fully entered into the poetry of the part. The mise en scene wa

The Prince of Wales drinking success to the war at Temple Bar, London, 18th century, (19th century). Artist: Unknown

SCENE FROM COSTA'S OPERA OF 'DON CARLOS,'

Cartoon depicting a typical drawing room concert. Illustrated by George du Maurier (1834-1896) a Franco-British cartoonist and author. Dated 19th century

a burlesqued version of John Gay's opera: several of the characters are wearing animal heads

An Illustration titled 'A Gaming 'Hell': men wearing 'Beaver Hats'. Illustrated by Henry Thomas Alken (1785-1851) an English painter and engraver. Dated 19th century

SCENE FROM THE OPERA OF 'ERNANI,' AT HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE.

Engraving depicting a Beggar's Opera staged in London. Dated 18th Century

Purple puppets Quadrille partition title page by ad. Adam

The Isolated Place of the Executioner in a Medieval Drinking Room, Historical, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original

A raucous scene showing a motley collection of children and adults playing Blind Man's Buff. 1850

Historical scene, US-American history, 19th century, the assassination on Abraham Lincoln, 1809 - 1865, 16th President of the United States of America, by John Wilkes Booth, at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC, USA, on 14th April 1865, North America

Charles Dickens presiding at the Newsvendors' Dinner, 5th April 1870 (1912). Artist: Unknown

Masked and pipe-smoking ladies in the "Pit" watching a performance of Shakespeare's "Henry IV". Date: 17th century

''The Naval Volunteers' Ball held at Glasgow',1890.

The Last Hours of the Carnival in 1869, Paris, France, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original, exact original date unknown, Europe

As part of an advertisement for Bowater Paper Corporation Limited, artist Illingworth previews the typical scene in British villages during Coronation week. Date: 1953

Mr. Punch shields his ears against the din of the popular music hall hit 'Ta ra ra boom de ay', sung, played and whilsted in the street by all and sundry. Date: 1892

A tactless hostess thanks an obliging German pianist for playing at her soiree-she especially likes his playing as it doesn't interrupt conversation! Date: 1874

The Orphans of Venice, Theatre de la gaite, 1869, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century play, exact original d...

THE VOYAGE OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT TO INDIA ON BOARD THE P.&O. MAIL STEAMER "CATHAY", 1883: A MUSICAL EVENING ON BOARD THE "CATHAY" IN THE RED SEA

SCENE FROM SPOHR'S 'FAUST,' AT THE ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, 1852

CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES: DRURY LANE. SCENE FROM THE PANTOMIME OF 'HARLEQUIN HOGARTH; OR, THE TWO LONDON 'PRENTICES.' UK

THE CARNIVAL IN ROME

The Twelfth-Night Wassail-Bowl, 1856. 17th century scene: peasants visiting the lord and lady of the manor at Christmas. '...the bowl was filled with spiced wine, and carried to the houses of the gentry and others, from whom was expected a hospitable reception, and calling their bowl Wassail, to "drink wassail" to their entertainers. "These merry sounds of mirth and music are not extinct. There are still places wherein the wandering blower of a clarinet and the poor scraper of as poor a fiddle will this evening strain their instruments tocharm forth the rustic from his dwelling,

The revellers Engraving by George Cruikshank dated 1845 of a scene from Sir Walter Scott's novel The Fair Maid of Perth

THE PRACTISED HANDS OF THE DOCTOR GLIDED OVER BRADLEY'S LIMBS. 'VAMP,' SAID HE QUIETLY, 'GET A NEW CLOWN.'; A STORY OF A COLUMBINE

Elsevier photo collection. Print Kroningsfeesten 1898. Bustes queen offered sale Kalverstraat coronation. 1898

Popular theatre in Spain in the 19th century, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact date unknown

Actors performing a play about Don Guzman to an audience of deaf and dumb people using sign language. Wood engraving after G. Durand, 1877.

Performance of the opera La Perichole, The Street Singer, by Jacques Offenbach, 1869, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century original, exact original date not known, Europe

A concert at the Champs Elysees in the consulate, vintage engraving. A concert at the Champs Elysees in the consulate, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1867. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10678446

Dance break at a Kirchweih event in Bavaria, historical illustration, 1880, Germany, Europe

Illustration showing the 'Turtle Hippodrome', which was part of the Hungarian display at the Earl's Court Exhibition, 1908. This image shows riders moving around, somewhat uncertainly, on 'turtles' on castors. Date: 16/05/1908

Cinderella, guests dancing in the castle in costume, girl surrounded by the king and other men, illustration from Perrault's Fairy Tale by Charles Perrault, illustrated by Gustave Dore

NEW YEAR'S EVE IN IRELAND, 1870

FANCY DRESS BALL AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL IN AID OF THE BOLINGBROKE HOUSE PAY HOSPITAL, LONDON, UK, 1883

The Annual Domestic Servants' Ball, 1869, Paris, France, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact original date unk...

Engraving, originally entitled 'Two Shocks a Penny', showing an electric shock machine which was part of the entertainments at Epsom Racecourse, on Derby Day 1860. The Derby is one of Britain's biggest horse-racing events and has attracted large crowds since the middle of the 19th century. Date: 26 May 1860

JUVENILE BALL AT THE MANSION HOUSE, LONDON

Attempt on the life of George III (1738-1820), King of Great Britain and Ireland, Attempt on the king's life at the theatre, May 15, 1800, Engraving published in 1820

The street fires in Hamburg on 1 May, Germany, Celebration, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th-century master copy, exact original date not known, Europe

Fashionable London concert audience in the mid-19th century.

The street fires in Hamburg on 1 May, Germany, Celebration, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th-century master copy, exact o...

Scene from "The Confederacy", at the Haymarket Theatre, 1844. Play by John Vanbrugh, performed in London. Moneytrap is played by Farren, and Clarissa by Miss P. Horton: '...the last scene of Vanbrugh's admirable comedy, lately revived with well-merited success at the Haymarket Theatre. Araminta, Corinna, Gripe, and Moneytrap, are discovered at a tea-table, very gay and laughing. All: "Ha ha ! ha ha!"'. From "Illustrated London News", 1844, Vol I.

The Pantomime at Drury Lane: "Whittington and his Cat", 1876. London stage production. 'The Illustration we give of the Drury Lane pantomime shows at once the group of the Vokes' family, whose clever acting conduces so much to its success. The group is a dancing group, and as such they are introduced to the delighted audience. Here they are all in full action: Frederick Vokes as Master Fitzwarren, worried by the feline Tommy, Walter Vokes, but using his remarkable legs in the way of defence against the awkward attacks of the irrepressible cat; Rosina Vokes as Alice Fitzwarren, and Vi

Scene from the new drama of "The Old Chateau", at the Haymarket Theatre, 1854. '...the last scene of Mr. S. Coyne's new play: Miss Reynolds; Mr. Howe; Mr. H. Farren...An innocent wife, suspected by her husband, having thoroughly justified herself, at an interview brought about without her knowledge at "the Old Chateau," with a lover; nothing remains but that the Othello of the scene should countermand the orders that he has given to an accomplice to shoot the offending young man...It doubtless required great delicacy on the part of the dramatist to avoid inducing an unworth

The interior of the Mabille Ball.

Dance scene in a hostel of Bavaria, vintage engraving. Dance scene in a hostel of Bavaria, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque 1870. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10679060

A MIRACLE PLAY, HISTORY OF THE DELUGE.

Austria, Vienna, Musical soiree at a cafe-chantant, engraving

The Waverley Ball, Illustrated London News July 1844; Black and White Illustration;

Scene on an English emigrant ship, dancing on board, Historical, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original

Jugglers Prestidigitators Theater Tokyo, Japan. Old 19th century engraved illustration Travel to Japan by Aime Humbert from El Mundo en La Mano 1879

Engraving depicting a soirée being held inside a wealthy home. A young musician is playing the piano much to the dismay of the host. Dated 19th Century

Police foil the plan to murder the cabinet. Conspiracy leader Arthur Thistlewood stabs a police officer. He and three others make a temporary escape through a back window

The Cabaret Of Ramponneau, (1885). Artist: Unknown

Game and dance in the Middle Ages, ball, event, 1880, woodcut, France, Europe

Engraving showing the opening of the North-East London exhibition of Arts and Manufactures at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, London, 1865. Date: 26 August 1865

SCENE IN A CABARET IN THE NORTH OF FRANCE, 1871

Illustration showing a typical day at Dr Swishtail's Academy. From George Cruikshank 'The Comic Almanack' 1839.

'The Visit of the Prince of Wales to the German Emperor; The State Concert at the Palace--The Royal Procession passing through the Picture Gallery', 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 41. January to June, 1890.

Theater audience at a performance of Hamlet in 1788, England, Historic, digitally restored reproduction from a 19th century original..

Audience and actors at a 'Penny Gaff', a music hall to which the admission was a penny, of which there were many in the East End of London. Date: 1870

'The Barebones Parliament', 1897. Creator: John Leech.

Historical print from the 19th Century, historical presentation of a theatrical performance at the court of Louis XIII, 1601 - 1643, King of France and Navarre

ENGAGING CHILDREN FOR THE CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME AT DRURY LANE THEATRE, LONDON, UK, 1867

Engraving by British artist & engraver, William Hogarth 1697ñ1764: The Bad Taste of the Town (also known as Masquerades and Operas) is an early print by William Hogarth, published in February 1723/24

Men in clerical dress are dancing to the tune the man is playing on his fiddle. Lithograph.

Francaise, dance at the carnival, historic wood engraving, about 1897

"The Spanish Dancers", at the Haymarket Theatre, 1854. London stage show: 'The Dancers are caught...in a moment of transition; and fixed to the eye; but the suggestion is present, and the fancy conducted onward, until the agility, the rapture, and the indescribable charm are conceived by the imagination...The pieces now selected for the renewal of our acquaintance with them, are the "Star of Andalusia," and the "Flower of the Port.;" in the former of which Senora Nena's pas mimique is certainly a very pleasing performance, though cast into the shade, fine as it is

Evening concert by Friedrich the Great, Frederick II, King of Prussia, in Sanssouci, Potsdam, 1879, historical woodcut, Germany, Europe

Celebrities leaving the theatre, festive dress, c. 1881, event, couple, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of a 19th century original, exact or...

A magician, also called a magician or illusionist, is an artist of the performing art of magic, sleight of hand, performing in a barn, circa 1885, Historic, digitally restored reproduction of an original 19th century print, exact original date unknown

Two men performing a show to an audience at a public house, using sign language. Wood engraving, 1875.

Main characters from the opera 'Ivanhoe' (1891), libretto by Julian Sturgis and music by Arthur Sullivan, based on Walter Scott's novel. From left to right the following characters: Rowena, Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert, Rebecca, De Bracy, King Richard. Etching.

Dance, vintage engraved illustration. From Chemin des Ecoliers, 1861.

'Here'sh a copy of a writ, and here'sh te original.', IMAGE ACCOMPANYING 'THE FEAR OF THE WORLD; OR, LIVING FOR APPEARANCES' BY THE BROTHERS MAYHEW

Last scene of "The Enchanted Isle" at Drury Lane Theatre, 1860. London stage performance '...for the benefit of the widow and children of the late Mr. Robert B. Brough...showing Mr. Francis as Baccastoppa, Mr. Hollingshed as Smuttifaccio, Mr. Talfourd as Caliban, Mr. Buckingham as Prospero, Mr. Cruikshank as Alonzo, Mr. Angell as Gonsalvo, Mrs. Mellon as Ferdinand, and Miss Stirling as Miranda. The fairies were draughted from the Princess' rifle corps, and the lords, sailors, &c., were composed of the gentlemen of the Savage Club. We believe that their impersonations will be re

MR. W.E. WOOD IN IN THREE CHARACTERS

Theater inside to the reign of Cromwell, vintage engraving. Theater inside to the reign of Cromwell, vintage engraved illustration. Colorful History of England, 1837. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PatrickxGuenettex 10656167

Masonic ball, illustration from the magazine The Graphic, volume XIV, no 365, November 25, 1876. Digitally colorized image.

THE JEWS' INFANT SCHOOL BALL AT WILLIS'S ROOMS, 1872 engraving

Oxford Music Hall; U.K.; 1862; the juvenile professors of the trapeze; Great Britain

Unknown, Punch and Judy in the Drawing Room, 1872, wood engraving on paper.

Heliogravure print by an anonymous artist depicting a traditional Winkeltanz dance, showing dancers, costumes, and movement, 1892.

Phone Opera Auditions in electricity Exposition, vintage engraved illustration. Magasin Pittoresque (1882).

Punch cartoon Day at the races Derby Day 1867. Depicts Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister) winning the race with the Reform Bill. Punch magazine 1867

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