THEATRICAL SPECTACLES – THE PRECURSOR OF THE MODERN MUSICAL

During the second half of the 19th century, flamboyant Theatrical Spectacles became much loved by the public, notably in the USA.
The lecture will look at this phenomenon and two of its foremost exponents, the Kiralfy brothers. Along the way there were rows, elephants, prima donnas, gondolas and bankruptcies.

Charles is, of course, our Programme Secretary; the elder of the Kiralfy brothers is his great grandfather. For someone
who was as well-known as, say, Cameron Macintosh or Andrew Lloyd Webber, it is remarkable that no one thought to produce his biography. Charles has drawn together private family papers and a limited amount of published information to remedy this defect.

This lecture is part of our education initiative in partnership with The Guernsey Institute.