3-056-222 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

'G. H. Chirgwin, The White Eyed Musical Kaffir', 1886. 'Grand Illuminations...Amongst the Numerous Attractions the following Artistes will appear...Ella Zuila, the Australian Funambulist and Heroine of the Lofty Wire, A truly Marvellous Performance; Brothers Griffiths, With a volume of New Comicalities and their Original Blondin Donkey; G. H. Chirgwin, The Original White-eyed Kaffir. There is only one Chirgwin and this is the man; The Great Parisian Sensation - "The Mysterious Disappearance of a Lady in Full View of the Audience; "Fascination", the Grand Ballet by John D'Auban...The Craggs - Marvellous Troupe of Acrobats...Professor Beckwith and Family's New Swimming Entertainment, introducing their Comic Boat Accident; The Mermaid, the Tiger Lady, and numerous other amusements and attractions!!!' Illustrated advertisement for the autumn season at the Royal Aquarium in London, listing performances by illusionists, dancers and musicians. Chirgwin was a British music hall comedian and singer who performed under the stage name 'the White-Eyed Kaffir', wearing blackface apart from a white diamond shape over one eye. Blackface was a way in which white performers demeaned and dehumanised African American people. 'Kaffir' is deemed a racial slur.