Blacked Collection
In the early 1900s, Harrogate witnessed a peculiar sight - an entertainer known as George H
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In the early 1900s, Harrogate witnessed a peculiar sight - an entertainer known as George H. Chirgwin, but more famously called the White-Eyed Kaffir, donning blackface for his performances. This practice of "blacking-up" was not uncommon during the Victorian period and often caused quite a stir. One such incident that made headlines was the Dreadnought Hoax, where members of the Boothfold Nutters in Waterfoot decided to impersonate royalty and successfully fooled naval officials. Among them was a blacked-up performer who added an extra layer of deception to their act. The Bristlewoods theater featured an illustration depicting performers in blackface during one of their blackout acts. It served as a reminder of how prevalent this form of entertainment once was. Vaudeville Theatre showcased Frank Tinney's performance in "Sometime, " where he portrayed a character with exaggerated racial features using makeup. This controversial portrayal sparked debates about racism and cultural appropriation even back then. G. H. Elliott, renowned for his song "Fry's Chocolate Major, " also embraced blackface during his performances. His popularity soared despite criticism from those who found it offensive. Amidst all this controversy, there were moments that brought laughter rather than outrage - like the image of a laughing old man enjoying these entertainments without malice or ill intent. E. W Royce took on the role of Jabez Pasha in Don Juan, showcasing another example of blackface being used within theatrical productions at that time. Cartoonist E. W Mackney created caricatures featuring Ethiopian entertainers which further perpetuated stereotypes through humor and satire. Even school events weren't exempt from this trend; Silver Street Boys School had fancy dress groups where some students chose to dress up using blackface makeup as part of their costumes. "The Cingalee" saw Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh performing together on stage, with both actors using blackface for their respective roles.