[Candrama] Question re: Theatrophones

[Matthew Tomkinson]

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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