[Candrama] Question re: Theatrophones

[Marlis E Schweitzer]

Hi Matthew,

Very cool discoveries! You might enjoy reading Christopher Grobe’s 2016 Theatre Survey article<https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/theatre-survey/article/abs/why-its-easier-to-act-with-a-telephone-than-a-man/48A848ED6149027C058AB562045DB8DA>, “Why It’s ‘Easier to Act with a Telephone than a Man” as well as his 2016 Theater article, “Every Nerve Keyed Up: ‘Telegraph Plays’ and Networked Performance, 1850-1900.” I believe his focus is primarily US-based performance but I’m sure you’ll find connections to your focus on BC.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes with your research,
Marlis
--

Marlis Schweitzer
Professor, Dept. of Theatre & Performance
York University




From: Candrama <candrama-bounces at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca> on behalf of Matthew Tomkinson <matttomkinson at gmail.com>
Date: Friday, March 31, 2023 at 7:40 PM
To: "candrama at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca" <candrama at artsservices.uwaterloo.ca>
Subject: [Candrama] Question re: Theatrophones

Dear Candrama subscribers,

I am currently researching "opera by telephone" in BC, and have only come across one or two productions so far that incorporated this technology.

In 1893, G.C. Hodge (manager of the Burrard Inlet and New Westminster Telephone Company) set up a few receivers in the rafters of Herring's Opera House in New Wesminster. In doing so, he claims to have invented the first proto-radio in the province.

A couple years later, in 1895, he did the same for a performance of The Pirates of Penzance, which was broadcast to Vancouver, Ladner, Cloverdale, Whatcom, Seattle, and St. Mary's hospital just down the street from the theatre.

I'm wondering if anyone might have further info about this short-lived period of media history, or any potential leads re: earlier and/or later examples of the theatrophone in action.

Thanks!
Matthew
___________________
Matthew Tomkinson
PhD, Theatre Studies, UBC
Web: matthewtomkinson.com<http://www.matthewtomkinson.com>
Twitter: @mtthwtmknsn<https://twitter.com/mtthwtmknsn>

I am grateful to live and work on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), SEMYOME (Semiahmoo), and sc̓əwaθən məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen) Nations.
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