Ring of Fate advertisement, 1864

This production of Ring of Fate at the Lecture Room employed state-of-the-art stage technology, including a moving panorama, “calcium and gas effects,” and exotic scenery. Ring of Fate was a “fairy show,” a genre that featured supernatural spectacles and was popular with mid-nineteenth-century audiences. This advertisement was typical of the era’s theatrical advertising in its detailed listing of performers, songs, scenes, and even scenery.

A MAGNIFICENT MOVING PANORAMA
Over 2000 feet in length, elaborately representing
GULLIVER’S TRAVELS IN LILLIPUTIAN LAND
Painted by the celebrated artist Mr. H. Hilliard, a Descriptive Lecture by Mr. G. W. Herbert.
POPULAR BALLAD - - by - - MASTER J. CHATTERSON
OKI-NA-WA-KAS Tribe of Indians in their Songs War Dances

will be performed a Grand Musical Fairy Romance in Three Parts and Four Elements
interspersed with Diablerie, Enchantment, Dances, Music and Startling Effects, entitled the

RING OF FATE
FIRE! AIR! EARTH AND WATER.

Appropriate Scenery - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. George Heilge
Superb Properties - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. Robert Cutler
Novel Mechanism - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. Charles Burns
Elegant and Costly Wardrobe - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. Robert S. Walker
Calcium and Gas Effects - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. J. Wilson
New and Original Music composed - - - - - by - - - - - - Mr. F. W. Peterschen

MORTALS

Arnulph, Knight of Bohemia ……………. Mr. W. L. Jamison
Rodolph, Knight of Nassau…………….Mr. B. Porter
Rupert, Knight of Britain …………….Mr. Bridgman
Otho, Knight of Saxony…………….Mr. Haviland
Adolph, Conrade, Edric, and Louis, their Esquires …………….Messrs. Anderson, Keppel, Stevens and Richmond
Herbert, a Page as the Minstrel of Cassel…………….Mrs. J. J. Prior
Franco, his Brother a Charcoal Burner…………….Mr. L. J. Mestayer
Jonas Barefoot, a Yankee…………….Mr. France
Bibo, a Host …………….Mr. Brown
Peasants, Yankees, Indians, Quakers, Firemen & c., by numerous auxiliaries
Princess Eveline, under the spells of Godah……………. Miss Jennie Cleaver
Leela, her attendant an Enchantress Enchanted…………….Mrs. W. L. Jamison
Indian Squaws…………….Misses Law and Thompson
Sicilian Peasants, American Ladies & c. & c. by the Corps de Ballet.

SPIRITS OF THE CORAL CAVE

Coralie, the Naaid Queen …………….Miss H. Walby
Attendance Naiids…………….Misses C. Monell, Addie LeBrun Fenten, Germaine, Andon, Law, Evers, Burts, &c, &c
Fairy Haida, Spirit of the Ring of Fate…………….Miss Laura Graham
Whirlibug, Sprit of the Ring…………….Tony Denier

IMMORTALS

Godah, Wizard of the Four Elements; Oscaloosa an Indian Chief; Isaac of Brescia, a Pedlar…………….Mr. Milnes Levick
Storm Spirit of Niagra…………….Miss Nannie Kook
Fiends of Elna, Gnomes of the Diamond Cavern, Water Monsters…………….Messrs. Hunter, Stevens, Keppel, Anderson, Chatterson, Richmond, James, Beebe, &c, &c
Black Knight, a Magician

INCIDENTAL MUSIC OF THE SPECTACLE

ACT 1st.—SOLO Arnulph “Tho’ we are worsted”—CHORUS, The Stirrup Cup. SONG Herbert, Minstrel of Cassel. CHORUS—“It is! it is! that child of Song.” DEMON CHORUS, “Master! Master! we are ready.”—QUARTETTE AND CHORUS,--What fury rends his heart.—Grand CHORUS Despair! Despair!

ACT 2nd—QUARTETTE OF FAIRY CHORUS,--Floating o’er yon silvery tide.

ACT 3d—CHORUS OF GONMES “Laugh, Brothers, Laugh.” SONG Lella—“Gianetta.”—SOLO, Rupert, “Up with the sun”—CHORUS “Deeds of Death.”—GRAND FINALE,--“Hail to the Beauteous and the Bold.”

SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY

Sicilian Landscape, Elna in the distance. Caverns of the Brazen Hand, Illuminated Temple of the Ring of Fate. Charcoal Burners Hut. Realms of Godah and Fire King, Lava Hills of Etna and Burning Mountain. Falls of Niagra and Abode of the Mist Spirit which Changes by a Mechanical illusion to the Grotto Palace of the Nades and Lake of Translucent Light. Cave of gems in the Valley of Diamonds Fairy Staircase and Elfin Gallery. Italian Vineyard – Forest of the Rider Cloud Palace of the Fairy World abode of the elements and Temple of Revolving Lights.

Previous to play

Miss JENNIE STONE the Scottish Queen, Aged 18, 24 inches high.
THE INDIANS – in their – WAR DANCES, SONGS & c.
W B HARRISON the celebrated Comic and Extemporaneous Singer, in hits at the times and people
SAWNEE the Musical Contraband will appear in his imitation of an Organ, Hurdy Gurdy – Thrashing Machine & c.

Woodroffe’s Troupe of Bohemian Glass Blowers,
will exhibit at all hours without EXTRA CHARGE in Wax Figure Hall the
TWO GLASS STEAM ENGINES,
IN FULL OPERATION
They also manufacture an endless variety of charming and Artistic Parlor Ornaments, of beautiful design and workmanship.

Source: New York Public Library for the Performing Arts