OUR NATIONAL THEATRE of 1885
How Many Can You Recognize?
Funny Folks was a London periodical published between 1874—1894 by the Scottish newspaper proprietor James Henderson.
In the Christmas number of 1885 there appeared a two page cartoon1 depicting Father Christmas introducing a débutante to the assembled elites of ‘Our National Theatre’—the débutante in question being the year 1886.
Among the audience are familiar luminaries such as Henry Irving and Queen Victoria. But how many more can you find?
Oscar Wilde is, of course, quite conspicuous.
1902,1011.9756
Here is Oscar, quite recognizable.
Suggestions for the other celebrities gratefully received.
© John Cooper, 2025.
Footnote:
- Source: British Museum. ↩︎
Prince and Princess of Wales in a box far left. Could it be Gladstone looking at the young woman with a fan?
Good find! And more evidence that Wilde was seen as ridiculously tall despite only standing at 6ft. I mean, of course 6ft was tall back then, but I wouldn’t have expected it to be seen as reeeeeeeeaaallly tall – clearly it was. I think that’s Irving on the first level, rightmost section, holding a programme.
Henry Irving sitting to the left of Florence and Bram Stoker?
Above Oscar, next to the man with the binoculars, I think that’s Frank Harris
Or does it also infer Oscar wouldn’t have missed a single event, especially if it was theatre/arts? Hence he is supernaturally tall and looking in good spirits?