Oddity of the Week: The Funniest Show in the World
Created | Updated Jan 26, 2014
Do you need a laugh about now?
The Funniest Show in the World
According to the Library of Congress, this poster was printed in 1907. According to the poster, Around the Clock, or Fun in a Music Hall was the 'funniest show in the world'.
If it was, people didn't have a sense of humour. This comedy/farce in three acts ran for a sum total of nine performances in Jaunary,1908, at the American Theatre in New York City. Don't let the door hit you on the way out, actors.
The music for this hilarious romp was composed by the world-famous Lee Orean Smith. (We jest.) Who can forget his other masterpiece, The Wife Hunters? Lyrics were by the no-doubt equally talented J Sebastian Hiller, whose smash-hit Piff! Paff!! Pouf!!! ran for an astounding 264 performances. (We're astounded, anyway.)
Around the Clock was set in Philadelphia. That was probably the problem. Philadelphia isn't usually a great setting for a successful musical – unless, of course, it's 1776.
