Engraved lithographic decorative play bill for a performance of Bulwer-Lytton's 'Lady Lyons', and 'Box and Cox', at the Station Theatre, Poona, India, by 'The Gentlemen Amateurs of H. M. 86th. Royal Regiment'.

Author: 
[The Gentlemen Amateurs of H. M. 86th. Royal Regiment, the Station Theatre, Poona [Pune]; Edward Bulwer-Lytton (1803-1873), 1st Baron Lytton [Lord Lytton], author]
Publication details: 
Station Theatre, Poona [Pune], India. 30 June 1851.
£150.00
SKU: 12787

Printed in black on one side of a piece of thick laid paper, 30.5 x 19.5 cm. Aged, and separated into two parts by a neat tear along a vertical fold line 13 cm from bottom (repaired on reverse), and with slight wear at the head. An attractive and characteristically Victorian design, entirely drawn onto the stone (i.e. none of the text set in type). The design displays a quirky and charming amateur energy, with the text within a decorative border incorporating what appears to be 'IOD POONA' at the foot. Headed by the words 'STATION THEATRE . POONA' curving in fancy letters above the royal crest, and the following beneath: 'The Gentlemen Amateurs of H. M. 86th. Royal Regiment have the honor to announce that on Monday next the 30th. June 1851, will be presented Sir E. L. Bulwer's beautiful play of the | LADY LYONS, | LOVE and TRADE.' A cast list follows, with sixteen actors named with their characters in two columns, followed by: 'The Celebrated Sword Dance. Mr. Cochrane. Comic Song . . . . Capt. Andrews'. The evening's entertainment concludes with 'Box and Cox'. Prices are given as 'Boxes. 3 Rs. . . . Pit. 1 Rs. . . . Gal. 8 As. . . . | No admission behind the scenes. | DOORS to open at 7 1/2 . . . . PERFORMANCE to commence at 8 precisely | Smoking prohibited | VIVAT REGINA.' An excessively scarce piece of Raj ephemera, with no copies found on OCLC WorldCat, COPAC, or at the Imperial War Museum.