Early presentation of the Cinema within 2 months of the first British showing
[Lumiere Brothers] [Cinema] Original programme for an early performance of the Cinema.
Polytechnic [London], April 30th 1896 [dated in ink on the front cover]
Single sheet advertising broadside for the Lumiere cinematograph, listing the films shown
1. The Champs Elysees;
2. Ragged rocks;
3. The unfortunate photographer;
4. Babies playing;
5. Arrival of a train in a country station;
6. Practical joke on the gardener;
7. Crossing the bar;
8. Fall of a wall;
9. Trewey’s ‘ Under the Hat’;
10. Bathing in the Mediterranean;
205 by 127mm (8 by 5 inches).
The first public screening of the Cinématographe in Britain took place at the Malborough Hall of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in Regent Street, London on 21 February 1896. There had been a press show the previous day when, coincidentally, the British cinema pioneer Robert W. Paul had demonstrated his Theatrograph projector at Finsbury Technical College. In charge of the Polytechnic show was the Lumière brothers’ British agent, Felicien Trewey, a well-known showman and magician. The opening performance attracted only 54 customers but, as in Paris, the Cinématographe’s popularity soon increased. Cinema quickly became part of music hall programmes, and Trewey started Cinématographe shows at the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square, London on 7 March 1896.
£450
[12598]