2-982-645 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Drury-Lane Theatre - Engaging for the Pantomime - drawn by M'Connell, 1858. '...a curious Scene at the stage-door...every available place was occupied round about the theatre by a crowd of persons desirous of being engaged in the forthcoming pantomime. The theme of the piece may be more than usually attractive. The ballad story of "Robin Hood" is undeniably popular, and his merry band, it might have been expected, would be more than usually numerous...a large multitude of applicants surrounded Old Drury with the strong desire, and some with the reasonable expectation, of being engaged...Grown man and woman, and ambitious urchin, not unprotected or unencouraged by his female guardian, are still resolute to earn their shilling and eighteenpence each per night, and are not a little riotous in their demand. We trust that the management has made a judicious selection from the throng, and that many who were deserving have benefited by the occasion. The opportunity may even be favourable for the eliciting of talent that might otherwise never reveal itself. Such occasions, at any rate, exhibit intimations of the great amount of the surplus population, and give evidence that greater numbers are willing to work than can get work to do.' From "Illustrated London News", 1858.