Description

See the letterhead of the Royal Parthenon Assembly Rooms in Great Charlotte Street, central Liverpool, founded in the early 1840s. It was renamed the Parthenon Music Saloon and later the Parthenon Music Hall in the 1850s.  On May 20^th 1850, a playbill advertises the week’s programme of tableaux and songs, ‘a truly CLASSIC exhibition, with ‘a SUCCESSION OF NOVELTIES of a superior character’.

The poses plastique scenes ranged over ancient history and myth, and were accompanied by vocal soloists. ‘Brutus Ordering the Execution of his Son’, accompanied by a ‘comic song’ entitled ‘Pity the Sorrows’ sung by Mr Reed. This was followed by a tableau ‘Diana Preparing for the Chase’, designed by A. Cooper, R.A, and another entitled ‘A Bacchanalian Procession, from the Borghese Vase.’

Later in the programme the audience was promised three further classical tableaux, under the headings ‘Greeks Surprised by the Enemy’,  ‘the Amazons’ Triumph’, and ‘the Grecian’s Daughter’.  The doors opened at half past six, and the performance commenced at seven.   Entrance to the Parthenon was free;  any profits were raised by selling food and drinks. In 1850, a Refreshment Token cost  three pennies.