Convicts' Concert and Sports

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Event Convicts' Concert and Sports
Venue Fremantle Prison, Fremantle, WA
First Date 25 December 1888
Opening Date 25 December 1888
Last Date 25 December 1888
Dates Estimated No
Status Amateur
World Premiere No
Description Impromptu concert performed by male convicts for their fellows at Fremantle Prison on 25 December 1888. The Prison Christmas concert was an annual event, when 'officials relaxed their authority'. Christmas dinner was served, and convicts spent the afternoon singing, dancing and playing sports. The concert took place in a 'small exercise yard'. The orchestra, situated against a wall, comprised accordion, tin whistle, kerosene tin, triangle and banjo. No contributors were named. There is no mention of a stage or seating.
Description Source Reviewer's Opinion
Primary Genre Other
Secondary Genre Dance
Music
Impersonation
Burlesque
Music Hall
Song
Minstrelsy
Sport
Subjects Celebrations
Christmas
Crime
Justice
Police
Prisoners
Prisons
War
Organisations
Resources
Further Information The concert was followed by a tug-of-war and a contest for the 'ugliest' prisoner. Tea was a served. Performers and audience were male.
Event Status Completed
Data Source
Source Description
Newspaper West Australian 31 December 1888, 3
Event Identifier 140812
Dataset AusStage