Description: This is a rare March 1926 programme (playbill) from the Latest Craze "LA FOLIE DU JOUR" ("The Madness of the Day") at the Folies-Bergere in Paris, France ..... Featured among the entertainers was the legendary JOSEPHINE BAKER in one of her earliest appearances at the Folies Bergere. Other entertainers included SUZY BERYL, ED. CASTEL, KORGINE and SERGINE, Mme. KOMAROVA, YANA THAMAR, AGAR and YOUNG, M. TIRMONT, Mlle. YRLEVA, ANNA LUDMILA and LEON BARTE, PEPA BONAFE, MARYSE and TYMGA, M. DORVILLE, Mlle. SCHALLY, Mlle. BRAZINE, TITZE and TARASSOFF, LYNE CORSA and JOHN TILLER'S FOLIES STARS. Among the composers and lyricists were IRVING BERLIN, MAURICE HERMITE, VINCENT SCOTTO, JEAN BOYER, PAUL LINKE, VINCENT ROSE, J. FREY, PENSOT and BOREL-CLERC (credits shown in the third scanned image) ..... Biography: American born JOSEPHINE BAKER (1906-1975) landed a role in the road company of Sissle and Blake's Shuffle Along (1923) at the age of 17 and made her Broadway debut the following year in The Chocolate Dandies (1924). She appeared with Ethel Waters in the floor show at New York's Plantation Club and soon became a crowd favorite. In 1925, at the peak of France's obsession with American Jazz and all things exotic, Baker traveled to Paris to perform in La Revue Negre at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. She made an immediate impression on French audiences, however it was the following year, at the Follies-Bergere Music Hall that Baker's career would reach a major turning point. In a performance called La Folie du Jour , Baker danced wearing little more than a skirt made of sixteen bananas. The show was wildly popular with Parisian audiences and Baker was soon among the highest paid performers in Europe, having become an overnight sensation. Her striking beauty cemented her celebrity status as she rivaled Gloria Swanson and Mary Pickford as the most photographed women in the world. She returned to the United States periodically, but her talents were never fully appreciated due primarily to racism and the American public's unwillingness to accept the idea of a black woman with so much sophistication and power. She dedicated the last years of her life fighting for racial equality. Josephine reluctantly agreed to perform at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1974 for a benefit. Due to previous experience, she was nervous about how the audience and critics would receive her. This time, however, cultural and racial growth was evident and Josephine received a standing ovation before the concert even began. The enthusiastic welcome was so touching that she wept openly on stage. On April 12th, 1975, just days after performing at the Bombino Theatre in Paris, Josephine slipped into a coma and died from a cerebral hemorrhage. (Reprinted in part from the Bio.True Story website.) ..... DETAILS: This twenty page programme measures 5 3/8" X 8" inches, has a die-cut cover and includes full production credits, individual photos of several of the performers (no photo of Josephine Baker), scenes and musical numbers and wonderful vintage advertising, but no cast bios ..... CONDITION: With the exception of a light vertical fold, rust marks at the staple, creasing at the corners and moderate edge wear to the inside pages, this rare program is in excellent condition and will make a wonderful addition to the collection of any musical theatre aficionado or historian. This item will be carefully packaged in a protective, carded sleeve and backed by stiff cardboard.
Price: 300 USD
Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon
End Time: 2024-11-08T02:23:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: 7.95 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Industry: Theater
Product: Programs / Playbills
Genre: Cabaret / Burlesque
Original / Reproduction: Original - France
Date: 1920 - 1929
