Performance Ticket: The Dramatic Festival in Aid of the Local Charities Manchester

THE DRAMATIC FESTIVAL IN AID OF THE LOCAL CHARITIES One of the most chastely elegant designs for a performance ticket we have ever seen has just been produced by Mr Francis Chester, architect, and very neatly lithographed in a sort of sepia tint, so as to being out the effects of highlights in white, the ground being mottled, and the shades produced by the lithographic ink. Two upright stems of the convolvulus support horizontal ones at the top, the squareness being obviated by a single stalk and flower crossing each angle transversely. The volute petals of the flowers are brought out prominently in white, and the whole are grouped and arranged so as to produce a most harmonious and pleasing effect. The space within this floral frame is filled with the inscription "Dramatic Festival, given by the proprietor of the Theatre Royal, in aid of the charities of Manchester - June 1852." Then comes the fac simile of the signature, "Thos. Worthington: hon. sec." The base is filled with an allegorical design, at once pictorial and statuesque. In the centre, on a plinth, is seated a graceful maternal figure, emblematic of charity; suckling the infant on her lap, and administering to the needs and comforts of three other children of various ages that surround her. The blind, the lame, the deaf and dumb, the sick and the dying are seen on both sides, imploring on bended knees or prostrate on the couch of sickness, the aid of the benevolent spirit of Christian charity; and above the head of this ministering angel is seen "the bow of promise," and of hope to the children of men. This card is worthy of more than ephemeral existence; and we are glad to see that by printing a short form of seat ticket, with date and the counter check of the Theatre Royal official seal, and cutting this so as to be readily detached, the artistic portion of the ticket may be preserved entire. [Manchester Guardian 26 May 1852 page 4]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 26 May 1852 page 4