A Rattling Good Time: Variety Theater in Great Falls, 1888-1896 with Daniel B. Wells

Wrestling, female boxing, and performing dogs – The History Museum & Research Center invites the public to attend a free admission program on historic variety theater on Second Saturday, July 12. At 1pm in the museum’s Ozark Club event room, Daniel B. Wells will share a presentation on variety theater, a popular form of entertainment in the United States during the 19th century.

Wells will discuss the types of performances that took place on stage, what it was like to attend a show, and the challenges variety theaters brought to public order. Though none of the variety theater buildings survive in Great Falls, his discussion will attempt to reconstruct the physical layout of the theaters, focusing on the Park and Globe theaters.

Variety theater featured a range of acts, including wrestling, female boxing, minstrel shows, acrobatic performances, comedy acts, and performing dogs. Besides the acts on stage, public drunkenness, fighting, theft, and prostitution was not uncommon. Wells will share his expertise on this fascinating topic, drawing from his 40 years of research and writing experience.

This event is free and open to the public. Wells, who earned a master's degree in 2004, is currently writing a book on Mollie Thompson, a variety theater owner in Great Falls.

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