Mr. M.B. Leavitt’s Elite Anglo-American Troubadours

Anglo-American troupe which originated in the UK and toured to South Africa, Ceylon, and India before eventually reaching Penang and Singapore in 1904.

Advance notice of their arrival was published in December 1903:

“COMING SHOWS – Mr. M. B. Leavitt will bring his two American companies here in February or March next. One is a variety show and the other a psychological sensation. Ceylon papers speak in high terms of both performances…” [The Straits Echo, December 12, 1903, p. 4]

“Mr. M. B. Leavitt’s Elite Anglo-American Troubadours will perform in Penang on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th of March.” [The Straits Echo, February 19, 1904, p. 4]

In Singapore, the troupe’s performance was announced as “Commencing Monday, March 28 [1904]” and the advertisement named the various artists who would be featured, as follows:

EVENT OF THE SEASON – Town Hall for one week only – After a brilliant and successful season in South Africa, Ceylon & India – Mr. M. B. Leavitt’s Elite Anglo-American TROUBADOURS – A select company of high-class vaudeville, musical and comedy artists in a refined entertainment, the ideal features and choicest gems of polite vaudeville, music, comedy & burlesque brilliantly blended – Presenting the following artists: Miss Georgia Putnam, the handsome American burlesque artist; Miss Helen Collins, the accomplished English comedienne; the dashing Frederica, Queen of the Silver Wire; the beautiful American model Mlle. Lenore in artistic and classic poses; the popular vocalist & soubrette Miss Violet Chard in the latest song & dance successes; the favourite London comedian, vocalist & dancer Mr. Geo. Victor Loydall, “the funniest comedian Singapore has ever seen,” from the Gaiety Theatre, London; Mr. Will Lansdowne, the well-known baritone vocalist and operatic artist from the Savoy Theatre, London; the entertaining ventriloquist Valmore and his “wooden-headed family”; the wonderful De Zano, “the marvellous human knot”; Mr. Willis Taylor, the favourite American author, composer & pianist – “An evening’s enjoyment of frivolity, jollity & fantasy – everything new, bright and up-to-date.” As an extra attraction Mr. Leavitt had added the world-famous Mysterious Zancigs, who would nightly appear in their wonderful entertainment of mental telepathy – “The strongest, most novel and attractive entertainment ever seen in Singapore.” [Straits Times, March 24, 1904, p. 4]