Melodrama Collection

Handbill advertising a performance of Hamlet at the Theatre, Leeds
5917334 Handbill advertising a performance of Hamlet at the Theatre, Leeds, 9th November 1843 (print) by English School, (19th century)

FILM: THE PERILS OF PAULINE serial film poster, 1914

Astleys Amphitheatre
Philip Astleys amphitheatre, Westminster Bridge Road, London : loved by Dickens, this was also the scene of clowns such as Grimaldi, and popular melodrama

Mrs Patrick Campbell
Beatrice Stella Campbell (nee Tanner), 1865-1940, stage name Mrs Patrick Campbell, posing for a photograph while acting in the melodrama The Black Domino at the Adelphi Theatre

English actor Gobert and Marie Dorval in the melodrama Le Commissionnaire by de Boirie
FLO4562946 English actor Gobert and Marie Dorval in the melodrama Le Commissionnaire by de Boirie, La loue and Menissier at the Theatre Porte St. Martin, 1824

English actor Villeneuve as Calas in the play Calas by Victor Ducange at the Theatre de l'Ambigu, 1819
FLO4562820 English actor Villeneuve as Calas in the play Calas by Victor Ducange at the Theatre de l'Ambigu, 1819. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Charles Malo's Almanach des

Francois Philippe and Salvator in Les Freres Invisibles by Anne-Honore-Joseph Duveyrier and Eugene Scribe
FLO4606874 Francois Philippe and Salvator in Les Freres Invisibles by Anne-Honore-Joseph Duveyrier and Eugene Scribe, Theatre de la Porte St. Martin, 1819. Handcoloured lithograph by F

Poster for 'The War of Wealth' Melodrama by Charles Turner Dazey produced on Broadway, New York, USA 1896
528214 Poster for 'The War of Wealth' Melodrama by Charles Turner Dazey produced on Broadway, New York, USA 1896. Inspired by the Panic of 1893 which marked a period of economic depression in

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French. Long live Monsieur le Comte and Madame la Comtesse

Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. Creator: Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki
Illustration for Caroline of Lichtfield, 1786. International bestselling 18th Century melodramatic novel translated from French

Dagma, Thyra, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 May 5. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Dagma, Thyra, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 May 5

Cowl, Jane, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Dec. 30. Creator: Arnold Genthe
Cowl, Jane, Miss, portrait photograph, 1914 Dec. 30

Criminal At Large, Syracuse, NY, [193-]. Creator: Unknown
Criminal At Large, Syracuse, NY, [193-]. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers

Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), in "Gismonda", c1896. Creator: Theobald Chartran
Portrait of Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923), in "Gismonda", c1896

Scene from the new drama of "The Old Chateau", at the Haymarket Theatre, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Scene from the new drama of "The Old Chateau", at the Haymarket Theatre, 1854....the last scene of Mr. S. Coyne's new play: Miss Reynolds; Mr. Howe; Mr. H

Captive Jews by the Waters of Babylon - painted by Bendeman, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Captive Jews by the Waters of Babylon - painted by Bendeman, 1850. By the waters of Babylon, sitting forlorn, We wept bitter tears in that day of our scorn, As we thought of our Zion, so far

A prison of shame - perhaps a penal settlement - stared him in the face, 1850. Creator: Unknown
A prison of shame - perhaps a penal settlement - stared him in the face, 1850. Illustration from "The Fear of the World; or, Living for Appearances", by the Brothers Mayhew

Harry Brodribb Irving as Mathias in The Bells, a role made famous by his father, Sir Henry Irving. He was appearing at the Grand Theatre, Southampton. 1910s

French mime Charles-Francois Mazurier as Polichinello, 1823
French comic dancer and mime artist Charles-Francois Mazurier as Polichinello in Polichinelle Vampire by Theodore de Banville at the Theatre de la Porte Saint-Martin, 1823

The Passing of King Arthur, 1874. Creator: Julia Margaret Cameron
The Passing of King Arthur, 1874. A melodramatic depiction of Arthurs death scene. A bearded man (William Warder) in profile

King Arthur, September 1874. Creator: Julia Margaret Cameron
King Arthur, September 1874. A photograph of the torso and head in profile of a bearded and long-haired knight (William Warder) with helmet and chainmail gripping a sword

Melodrama at the Theatre
Watching Melodrama at the Theatre, by Hablot K Browne (Phiz) Date: 1862

Jose Echegaray y Eizaguirre (1832-1916). Spanish engineer, playwright, politician and mathematician. Leading of the Spanish dramatist of the last quarter of the 19th century

GERMAN MELODRAMA 2
A dramatic moment in a spectacular popular melodrama Die Hohle Soncha'. Date: early 19th century

Julie Opp and Robert Loraine, Victorian theatre, 1890s, 19th Century
Vintage illustration after a photograph of Julie Opp and Robert Loraine in the Scarlet Feather, Victorian theatre, 1890s, 19th Century

The Giaour, 1826 (oil on canvas)
831232 The Giaour, 1826 (oil on canvas) by Colin, Alexandre Marie (1798-1875); 99.5x81 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: After The Giaour by Lord Byron); Photo © Christies Images

Grandfathers Blessing, 1875 (oil on board)
OVR395285 Grandfathers Blessing, 1875 (oil on board) by Tidemand, Adolph (1814-76); 120x102 cm; Bergen Art Museum, Norway; Photo © O. Vaering

Tragic News (oil on canvas)
OVR395288 Tragic News (oil on canvas) by Tidemand, Adolph (1814-76); Bergen Art Museum, Norway; Photo © O. Vaering

Don Quixote, He told the gentlemen the whole story
Illustration from Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes, illustrated by Gustave Dore. He told the gentlemen the whole story of her being enchanted

Old Schoolfellows, from "Illustrated London News", July 7, 1855
Old Schoolfellows, from " Illustrated London News", July 7, 1855

Rinaldo abandoning Armida, 1720-62. Creator: Francois Joullain
Rinaldo abandoning Armida, 1720-62

Kathleen Mavoureen (1864), melodrama (engraving)
611103 Kathleen Mavoureen (1864), melodrama (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Kathleen Mavoureen (1864)

Tragic scene in the theatre - lion eats child
LLM462092 Tragic scene in the theatre - lion eats child by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Tragic scene in the theatre - lion eats child)

The Liberal Prime Minister, Lloyd George, invites his Conservative Chancellor
KDC400222 The Liberal Prime Minister, Lloyd George, invites his Conservative Chancellor, Bonar Law, to visit the Anti-Coalition Cinema to see " Tragedy at No.10, The Doomed Premier"

Blue Jeans, c. 1890 (colour litho)
747089 Blue Jeans, c.1890 (colour litho) by American School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A play written by Joseph Arthur (1848-1906) in 1890.); Photo eBarbara Singer; American

The Cave Scene from the Melodrama of "The Colleen Bawn, "at the Adelphi Theatre (engraving)
2773230 The Cave Scene from the Melodrama of " The Colleen Bawn, " at the Adelphi Theatre (engraving) by English School

The World, Boston Theatre Company, USA - Tableau II, a dramatic scene from The Infernal Machine. Date: late 19th century

Shadows of a Great City by Joseph Jefferson and L R Sherwell. First produced in England, at the Princesss Theatre, 14 July 1887

A Ring of Iron, a melodrama by Frank Harvey, the Beatrice Company. Date: late 19th century

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"Melodrama: A Theatrical Journey through Time and Emotion" Step into the world of melodrama, where passion and intensity collide on stage. From handbills advertising Shakespearean tragedies to film posters of thrilling serials, this genre has captivated audiences for centuries. In the 19th century, Mrs. Patrick Campbell's powerful performances at Astleys Amphitheatre left spectators in awe. Her ability to evoke raw emotions made her a legend in the realm of melodrama. Across borders, Spanish engineer Jose Echegaray y Eizaguirre brought his unique perspective to this dramatic art form. His contributions enriched German melodrama with new dimensions and storytelling techniques. However, not all aspects were noble. In America, it was used as a tool to demonize certain communities. "King of the Opium Ring, " a controversial novel from 1890, perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Chinese immigrants. Yet amidst these complexities, there were moments that showcased the true essence of melodrama. Harry Brodribb Irving's portrayal of Mathias in "The Bells" sent shivers down spines while Arthur Shirley and Ben Landeck's play "Woman and Wine" explored love's intoxicating power. Victorian theatre witnessed unforgettable performances by Julie Opp and Robert Loraine who transported audiences back in time with their mesmerizing acts. Through works like Claudian by Henry Herman & W. G. Wills, melodrama continued to evolve as an art form that pushed boundaries and challenged societal norms. From tragedy to triumph, laughter to tears - melodrama has always been a reflection of human emotion at its most heightened state, and is an enduring testament to our insatiable desire for stories that stir our souls and leave us breathless.