Luis Hardt

I have met some fantastic people via this blog and the latest person to contact me is a woman called Ann who, having read my post about my PhD and the music hall bill I am working on, got in touch with me about a relative of hers who appeared on that bill in 1908. His name was Luis Hardt - the Mighty Atom. She has been kind enough to send me this photo of Luis and some very interesting information about him. She enclosed a contemporary description of his act, which reads:

"Mr Luis Hardt is one of the number of "good little 'uns" who have taken to the boards as professional men. His development, as can be seen from the accompanying photo..., is very handsome and well balanced. He is known to fame as "the Mighty Attom" because of his immense strength in comparison with his bulk and stature. Mr Hardt is a conscientious worker, and exercises daily. He does not believe in alcoholic liquors, but enjoys a good smoke when indulged in, of course, in due moderation"

If anyone else out there has any more information abut Luis Hardt or any other acts on the bill below then please do make a comment here and I will get back to you. Please leave your email address. Thanks



This is the programme for the week commencing Monday afternoon (Monday being the day that the weekly programme changed), April 20th, 1908. Doors opened at 2.30pm and twice nightly 6.50pm and 9pm during the week. On the bill that week were:

1. Overture: ‘Francis the Radical’
2. Ida Katherina: ‘The Dolly Girl’
3. Austins: Comedy Juggling and Dancing
4. Blanche & Powel: In their High Class Drawing Room Entertainment
5. John G. Brandon & Co. In the Famous American Dramatic Sketch – The Girl & the Tough
6. Steel & Laing (Dora & Dulcie): The Meddling Tramp and the Dancing Maid
7. Kenneth & Kane (Sid & Maud) Comedy Duo: ‘Just a Few Words’
8. Capt. Devereaux: Canine Streets of London. A Drama Illustrated by Dogs Only
9. Luis Hardt ‘The Mighty Atom’ and Original Boy Samson in Flights of Imagination – A New and Original Way of Introducing Feats of Strength
10. Neilson Troupe: of Boys and Girls in a Comedy and Dancing Scena entitled ‘An Improvised Rehearsal’
11. Will Walton: Comedian
12. Sarnthaler Troupe: Lady singers and Dancers, in their Mountain Scena ‘ Ten Minutes in the Tyrol
13. ‘Crazy Quilt’ on the Bioscope
14. Tarro Miyake. The Champion Ju Jitsu Wrestler of Japan