Rochdale
Carran’s Working Diary 28: Writing on the Wall 4: SkEtching a Visitor
I haven’t been here for a while but I am here now. This particular visit is important to me because it means I am not alone. Thank you. I haven’t been here for some time because I got a new position in a big place in Beetham, Cumbria. It is […]
Carran’s Working Diary 27: Pictures and Voices
From the Concert here are Pictures on the Wall and Voices on the Past
Audible and voluble expressions – part 2 (1887)
Post by Jenny Hughes I’ve been researching theatrical entertainments in Victorian workhouses, and have come across an extraordinary range of work that might be described as ‘fledgling’ social theatre from the 19th century, from missionary and temperance theatricals to solidarity and charity performances by popular performers, to amateur performances by […]
Carran’s Working Diary 16: The Master (‘s) Key
Yesterday I got the Master (‘s) key which means I can be trusted to let myself in and out. It has meant that I don’t need to worry about thieves when I go to the toilet or fetch some water or go to the office. This is a great […]
Temperance drama and the poor
Post by Jenny Hughes I’ve been looking at temperance entertainments in a Rochdale workhouse in the 1880s – as part of a broader project to explore what can be learnt about the early histories of ‘social theatre’ or ‘applied theatre’ from theatrical engagements with the poor in 19th century workhouses […]
Songs and recitations in the workhouse (2) – ‘Home Sweet Home’
Here is another post on songs and recitations in the workhouse (relating to the performance of the Orpheus glee club at the opening of Dearnley workhouse in Rochdale in 1877 – see ‘Songs and recitations in the workhouse – ‘A Fine Old English Gentleman’ blog post below). Given that we […]
Songs and recitations in the workhouse – ‘A Fine Old English Gentleman’
Post by Jenny Hughes As noted in ‘The only way is Rochdale 3’ (blog post below) – the Orpheus Glee club performed at the opening of Dearnley workhouse in Rochdale and at the Christmas treat for paupers that followed a week or so later, and their repertoire may have included […]
The only way is Rochdale (3)
Post by Jenny Hughes To return to the records of entertainments taking place in Dearnley workhouse in Rochdale during the final third of the 19th century (see previous posts – The only way is Rochdale 1 and 2). I found at least one entertainment for each month of the years […]
The only way is Rochdale (2)
Post by Jenny Hughes I’ve been looking at records of entertainments in Dearnley workhouse in Rochdale, from its opening in 1877. This has meant looking at huge, heavy, dusty, crumbling minute books kept by the Board of Guardians and various workhouse committees – minute books are full of beautiful handwritten […]
The only way is Rochdale (1) …
Post by Jenny Hughes One of the ways I am taking this research forward is to focus on a specific locality – Rochdale in Lancashire, home of the Rochdale Pioneers and the cooperative movement, and a centre of Chartist fervour leading up to and around the period of the Reform […]