Mecca by Oscar Asche musical program

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Public Domain. There are no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Mecca by Oscar Asche musical program, C0392, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
.01 Linear Feet 1 item
Abstract:
Content warning: orientalism and racist content. A program for the musical Mecca (also known as Cairo) by Oscar Asche, 1920.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Mecca by Oscar Asche musical program, C0392, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

Content warning: orientalism and racist content.

A program for the 1920 musical Mecca (also known as Cairo) by Oscar Asche. The cover of the program is embossed with the title, "Century Theatre New York" and an image of men riding camels in the desert. The program contains a short novelization of the musical's plot by William A. Page and illustrated color plates of scenes by Carl Link. Both story and illustrations are highly orientalist in subject and tone.

Biographical / historical:

Mecca - known as Cairo in England - was a 1920 Broadway musical written by Oscar Asche. Asche was an American actor, mainly known for brown and yellow face roles in plays such as the titular character in Othello and Hajj in Kismet, which was written for Asche. Eventually Asche turned to theatre managing in addition to acting, which led to his huge theatrical hit Chu Chin Chow, which broke theatrical records and held over 2,200 performances over five years in London, England. Following the success of Chu Chin Chow, Asche wrote Mecca, which premiered at the Century Theatre in New York City, but was met with much less acclaim.

Acquisition information:
Donor unknown.
Processing information:

Processing and finding aid completed by Amanda Brent in June 2022.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 72, C 3, S 4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard