Entertaining Mr Coppin: An Antipodean Showman in Civil War America

Title: Entertaining Mr Coppin: An Antipodean Showman in Civil War America
Author: Simon Plant
Price: $50.00

Theatre Heritage Australia is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving and promoting Australia’s rich performing arts history. Entertaining Mr Coppin reconstructs the remarkable two-year tour George Coppin undertook in 1864-1865 with famed English tragedians Charles and Ellen Kean. The book retraces Coppin’s epic journey across a fractured continent – from the gold rush towns of California to the snow-covered peaks of British Columbia, the bustling streets of New York to the steamy jungles of Panama. Drawing on journals, playbills, personal papers and rarely seen photographs, this scrupulously researched biography follows Coppin – the most industrious impresario in the Australian Colonies – as he traverses North America on sailing boats and steam trains. Numerous hazards almost derailed the tourists but not even Lincoln’s assassination – by an actor! – could stop the indomitable Coppin.

Lavishly illustrated and four years in the making, this enthralling tale brings to life a forgotten world of mid-19th century show business in both America and Australia. Coppin rubbed shoulders with minstrels, magicians and the legendary Barnum; he hoisted beers with politicians, journalists and businessmen and in letters to the Melbourne Herald, made acute observations about ruinously divided America. Entertaining Mr Coppin examines this correspondence in detail for the first time.

ISBN: 9780648454441
Publishing status: AU In Distributor In BN