February 1909: Bellefield Sanatorium, Lanark – Tableaux Vivants, in the Queen’s Rooms, Illustrating Scenes from Several of the Novels of Sir Walter Scott

An article on page seven of The Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser, on Saturday the 13th of February,

1909, reads:

 

“BELLEFIELD SANATORIUM.

TABLEAUX VIVANTS IN GLASGOW.

 

Under the auspices of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Bellefield Sanatorium for Consumptives, Lanark,

an entertainment was given in the Queen’s Rooms, Glasgow, on Wednesday night, in aid of the funds

of the institution. The appeal which Bellefield makes to the public of the West of Scotland is a widespread

one, and it was gratifying to find that the hall was well filled by a large and fashionable audience. The

entertainment took the form of a series of tableaux illustrating scenes from several of the novels of Sir

Walter Scott—’Ivanhoe,’ ‘Kenilworth,’ ‘Rob Roy,’ ‘The Heart of Mid-Lothian,’ the ‘Bride of Lammermoor,’

end ‘Peveril of the Peak’  — Tennyson’s ‘Idylls of the King,’ and a humorous series depicting various epochs

in what was described on the programme as ‘the (R)evolution of woman.’ The production of the tableaux

reflected great credit upon the director, Mr Fra. H. Newbery, and upon the performers. Careful rehearsal

combined with a sympathetic and intelligent reading of Scott and Tennyson gave a most pleasing result.

Among the Waverley series the scenes from ‘Rob Roy’ and ‘The Bride of Lammermoor’ were particularly

good. The acting in both instances was excellent, and the impression given was exceedingly realistic. The

tableaux from ‘Peveril of the Peak’ too is deserving of special mention. In ‘The Idylls of the King’ the pictures

were all so well represented that it is unnecessary to particularise. Among the subjects given were ‘The

Finding of the Sword Excalibur,’ ‘The Meeting of Arthur and Guinever,’ ‘The Luring of Merlin by Vivien,’

‘Sir Galahad and the Holy Grail,’ and ‘The Passing of Arthur.’ The appearance of the Holy Grail to Sir

Galahad gave opportunities for a fine stage effect, which were fully taken advantage of. The singing by the

choir of St. Mary’s Cathedral in this and other tableaux was a notable feature. The third series, while

hardly presenting the same interest as the first two, were topical, and imparted a humorous touch to the

entertainment which found much favour with the audience. The principal tableaux in this series were

‘Eden,’ ‘The Ideal Wife,’ ‘The New Woman,’ and ‘The University of Glasgow, 2000 A.D.’ (Zoological

Department). The last-named had facetious reference to the ultimate disappearance of man except as a

zoological curiosity. The staging of the tableaux throughout was simple and artistic. Costumes were

worn appropriate to the periods depicted. Those used in the ‘Idylls of the King’ were among the most

interesting. Mr Fra. H. Newbery was assisted in the direction of the tableaux by Miss De C. L. Dewar,

Miss H. Paxton Brown, Mr Allan D. Mainds, and Miss D. Carlton Smyth. Mr James J. F. X. King and

Mr W. G. Morton were stage managers, and Mr S. F. Hunter and Mr Marr acted as readers. The stage

and proscenium were designed by Mr David N. Robertson, architect. Appropriate musical selections

were rendered during the evening by an efficient orchestra under the baton of Mr G. T. Pattman. The

performance was repeated on Thursday evening.”

 

 

The British Newspaper Archive.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, August 2023.