On Stage in War Time

War themes were prominent in public entertainment.

Regimental parades and band concerts made for good street theater; many theatrical and musical events raised funds for wartime causes such as the Sanitary Commission; and war scenes were displayed in illustrated lectures and graphic panoramas. Entertainment as usual also thrived, with Philadelphians enjoying performances of all kinds, from high Shakespearean drama to the low comedy of the minstrel show.

Click on images for a larger view.

Ford’s Theatre, Benefit! And Last Night of Miss Laura Keene . . . Our American Cousin (Washington, 1865).

Academy of Music, Benefit of the United States Sanitary Commission, Charlotte Cushman . . .  Edwin Booth in Macbeth, (Philadelphia, 1863).

Assembly Buildings, America and the Great Rebellion, (Philadelphia, 1861).

Assembly Buildings, America and the Great Rebellion, (Philadelphia, 1861).
Langstroth’s Hall, Grand Historic Mirror … American War, (Philadelphia, 1863).

Langstroth’s Hall, Grand Historic Mirror … American War, (Philadelphia, 1863).

Langstroth’s Hall, Sig. Blitz, Learned Canary Birds, (Philadelphia, 1863).

Langstroth’s Hall, Sig. Blitz, Learned Canary Birds, (Philadelphia, 1863).
Issued Gratuitously by Wanamaker and Brown (Philadelphia, 1865).

Issued Gratuitously by Wanamaker and Brown (Philadelphia, 1865).

Dueer and Fox . . . Minstrels Grand Concert, (Philadelphia, 1863).

Dueer and Fox . . . Minstrels Grand Concert, (Philadelphia, 1863).
Dan Rice’s Great Show. Three Distinct Exhibitions, (Philadelphia, 1864).

Dan Rice’s Great Show. Three Distinct Exhibitions, (Philadelphia, 1864).

 

NEXT >