Silk programme produced for 'Harmston's Grand Circus and Royal Menagerie of Performing Wild Animals, Benefit in aid of Lady Minto's Fete Fund', Calcutta India, 26th December 1906. Printed silk by Traill & Co., Calcutta.

Pink satin programme printed in blue ink featuring a royal creast and a decorative border. Noting the presence of Lord and Lady Minto in the audience, and the performance as a Benefit in aid of Lady Minto's Fete Fund. The performers are listed as Nellie Harmston-Love in a Principal Act of Equitation, The Merrimen 'Comic Globe', a song and dance by The Princess Quartette, The Wheelers in their Trick Bicycle Act, Shetland Ponies introduced by A. Ryan, Roman Rings by The Frantz Troupe, a Comic Entree by Joe Roberts, an Oriental Dance by Miss Marguerite, Triple Jockeys by Jennie and Nellie Harmston-Love and Frank Eldered, introducing La Petite Jennie, the smallest Jockey Rider in the world, performing tigers and bears introduced by John Paul Rougal, a Hurdle Act by Miss Marguerite, a Comic Entree by Deany and Frank, The Frantz Troupe, Collin's Princess Quartette with a song and dance by Miss Laura Calvert, Miss Jennie Bower, Miss Nellie Harris and Miss Eva Harris, Trick Pony Punch introduced by A. Ryan, concluding with Diavolo Looping the Loop on a Bicycle. Also introducing an amateur riding contest at matinees on the 27th and 29th December. At the bottom it notes the management Madame Harmston-Love, Proprietress; Charles Bruce, Band Master; John Rougal, Animal Trainer; Col. Bob Love, (Robert Love) Sole Manager; Alf. Ryan, Stud Groom; R. Alton, Advance Representative.

Silk and satin theatre playbills and programmes were produced from the 18th century onwards to commemorate special evenings at the theatre. Most theatres and some circuses in the 19th century had some made to mark grand openings or milestone performances. By the end of the First World War however the practice had generally died out, only being revived very occasionally, more often at London's opera houses than any other theatres.

This was produced as a souvenir the performance of Harmston's Circus in Calcutta on the 26th December because of the presence of Lord and Lado Minto in the audience. It was also a Benefit Night, a charity performance when half the profits of the performance were given to Lady Minto's Fete Fund. Lord Minto was Viceroy and Governor-General of India from 1905 to1910.

Harmston's Circus was founded by the equestrian William Batty Harmston (1844-1893), born in Nottingham. After working with Chiarini's circus in India in 1887, he formed his own circus which toured Australia 1890-1891. After his death in Singapore, his widow carried on the circus with the manager Robert Love, who she married and whose surname can be seen on this programme added to her name and that of her children.

S.769-1982