About
Active Period
—
Genre
Subgenre
—
Geographic Location
—
About
On the 27 January performance, a reviewer writes, “Signor Dalle Cassee with his company gave an entertainment on Saturday last which we understand was very numerously attended. The dancing on the Tight Rope of the two young Girls who make up the sum total of the Signor’s so called Athletic and Gymnastic Company, gave great satisfaction, but we have heard much disapprobation expressed by Europeans as well as by some of the respectable Chinese Merchants who were present, of the feats of tumbling which the young ladies were made to exhibit, which they thought could not but be attended with considerable pain and suffering to the performers, and we would therefore recommend to the Signore, should be intend to give any more exhibitions, to omit that part of the performance” (The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser, 1 February 1844, Page 2).
For the 10 February performance, the programme was as follows:
Tight Rope Dancing by Signorina Anna and Emelia.
Different Popular Songs.
Different National Dances on the Platform.
The Dog Munito will make his second appearance.
The Great Ourang Outang named Gertrude, 25 years old, will make his first appearance, and will perform as follows:
He will appear in full costume of Signor BASILIO of the Opera Barbaro Civil. After exhibiting different actions, he will sit on the Chair and Table, he will eat and drink as Signor Basilio, use Spoons, Knives and Forks, wipe his mouth with a Towel, he will open a bottle of Wine and drink to the health of the Audience, who may be pleased to honor the Performance with their presence; he will also smoke Cigars and Drink Wine until he becomes Jocose when he will shew some curious feats of Gymnastics. (The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 4 April 1844, Page 17)
Genre
Language
Showtimes and Venues
| Date | Time | Frequency | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| From 27/01/1844 to 27/01/1844 | – | – | – |
| From 02/02/1844 to 02/02/1844 | – | – | – |
| From 10/02/1844 to 10/02/1844 | – | – | – |
Schedule
| Running Order | Schedule Item | Type | Date and Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – |
Person and Troupe
| Name | Type | Role in Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Anna de Ritta | Person | Tight rope dancer |
| Emilia Fermino Matto | Person | Tight rope dancer |
| A young Brazilian perfomer | Person | – |
| Foreign Gymnastic Company | Troupe | – |
| Performer (collaborateWith) | Purpose |
|---|---|
| – |
Support (hasSupport)
| Supporter Name | Type of Support | Support Description |
|---|---|---|
| No support information recorded. | ||
Theme and Style
This performance was likely an early iteration of Luigi Dalle Casse’s circus performances in Singapore, which he later introduced to Australia in 1841. His company would later be called Foreign Gymnastic Company, and acts would include tight rope dancing, stilt dancing, and tumbling.
Performance Elements
Context
Media
Sources
- “Notice”, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 1 February 1844, Page 1. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singfreepressa18440201-1.2.2.3
- “MISCELLANEOUS”, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 1 February 1844, Page 2. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singfreepressa18440201-1.2.6
- “Advertisements Column 4”, The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835-1869), 4 April 1844, Page 17. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singfreepressa18440404-1.2.2.4
Contributor
2026. “Exhibition of Gymnastic, Athletics, and Other Exercises”. In Performing Archipelagos, edited by Kyueun Kim, Alvin Eng Hui Lim and Hedren Wai Yuan Sum. Singapore: National University of Singapore.
