Record

Performance TitleJ Barker and Co. Jubilee 1870-1920 - Fiftieth Anniversary Commemoration Ball [Private]
Performance Date15-16 October 1920
Performance DayFriday
Performance Time21:00
Main PerformersThe 16 Palace Girls,
The Arnaut Brothers
Mr Gavrilow, choreographer and Celebrated Russian Dancers,
Violet Loraine,
Billy Merson - vocals,
Mrs Tresham Gilbey - prize-giver
Orchestra or BandThe Corelli Windeatt Band
ConductorsCorelli Windeatt
Set ListMusic for Dancing and Cabaret (Band),
Dances from 'The Whirligig' (Violet Loraine, Billy Merson, 16 Palace Girls),
'A Ballet Divertisement' (Gavrilow, Russian Dancers)
Performance Notes"BARKER'S JUBILEE.
AN ALBERT HALL CELEBRATION.
That triumvirate of trade - Barkers, Pontings, and Derry and Toms - this week celebrate a jubilee. It is fifty years since the firm associaed with the name of the late Sir John Barker was started in a small shop with les than a dozen assistants. Today its hundred shops have the largest frontage in the world and the staff numbers over 5,000. So numerous, indeed, is it, that last night's great ball at the Royal Albert Hall will have to be repeated this evening in order that every member of the triumverate - small as well as big - should be able to take part in the commemmoration. All round the great ball-room, which was artistically decorated in a blue and gold scheme, were placed lighted discs, starting with 1870 and running up to this year of grace. Each disc indicated the various shops and streets which Barker's phenomenal growth has absorbed. Behind the 1920 the Kensington Town Hall was 'ringed' as the next building to come within the frontage already referred to. This is the staff joke."
(The Daily Telegraph, 16 October 1920)

This Ball was extended to the Saturday due to demand for tickets. The National Sunday League were compensated for the loss of a concert fixed for the following Sunday (Pall Mall Gazette 15 October 1920)

At this stage in the company's history, it had 'inaugurated a special department for the welfare of their employees, and among the 'good things' its hands enjoy are exceptional facilities for social intercourse and recreation, bonuses for successful service, convalescent homes in sickness, and last but not least, a pension fund." (Acton Gazette 22 October 1920)

Guests included Sir Harry Brittain, Mr R Milbourne
Related Archival MaterialProgramme (RAHE/1/1920/48)
Catalogue
Reference NumberTitleDate
RAHE/1/1920/48Barker Jubilee 1870-192015 October 1920
RAHE/1/1920/47Barker Jubilee 1870-1920 - Commemoration Ball15 October 1920
Work
Ref NoTitleNo of Performances
OgabidoridcxJ Barker and Co. Jubilee 1870-1920 - Fiftieth Anniversary Commemoration Ball [Private]2
Performers
CodeName of Performer(s)
DS/UK/1809Loraine; Violet (1886-1956); English musical theatre actress, singer
DS/UK/1811Palace Girls (fl 1911-1920)
DS/UK/1785The Arnaut Brothers (1910-1962)
DS/UK/1813Gavrilow (fl 1920); Russian choreographer
DS/UK/1814Merson; Billy (1879-1947); English music hall performer, songwriter
DS/UK/1684Windeatt; Corelli (27 June 1868-1947); English violinist and dance band leader
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