Description:Many documents in the Sutherland Papers reflect the prestigious social role of Stafford House. Throughout the nineteenth century the house functioned as the centre of social life in London. In addition to the parties and receptions, Stafford House hosted many fundraising events and was the centre for meetings of voluntary associations such as the Stafford House Committee at the end of the nineteeth century.
The document above is a flyer for an event which was being held at Stafford House on Tuesday 8th May 1883. The event was a concert being given by the Boys and Masters of Winchester College ‘in aid of the School Mission at Landport, Portsmouth’. The concert was being held under the patronage of the Duchess of Sutherland, Countess Selbourne and Mrs. Gladstone. Tickets were charged at one guinea which would go towards the School Mission.
The flyer is accompanied by a programme of the event which began with the national anthem ‘God Save the Queen’, followed by readings and songs from Shakespeare. Readings included scenes from Richard II, The Merchant of Venice alongside songs from Twelfth Night, piano duets and readings from A Midsummer Nights Dream.