Evening of entertainment turned into a near-riot

They burst on to the Montrose stage with the confidence of West End stars but within an hour they were cowering for their lives. The swagger quickly went out of the gait of “renowned” London actors Mr and Mrs Frederick during an evening of entertainment at the town’s assembly hall in 1884. History does not record what unsettled them but shortly after the curtain went up, the pair began to falter nervously.

It should have been a night of dramatic impersonations, with the couple playing all parts in sketches but they began to bumble about in front of the audience of 150.

The press reported: “It was observed that both artists were somewhat excited... symptoms of dissatisfaction began to manifest themselves amongst the younger sections of the audience.”

Eventually, the interruptions became so frequent that Mr Frederick strode over to the front of the stage to condemn Montrose for its deplorable behaviour.

Of course, this was the cue the young louts were waiting for. They had the actors in their trap and began taunting them without mercy.

First they started hissing and bellowing, then as older people began to leave, a gas meter was switched off and darkness engulfed the venue.

The actors managed to reach their dressing room and locked themselves in. Outside, the mob began battering at the door and, after repeated attempts, managed to break it down.

The lads demanded a refund but Mr Frederick stood firm. Just as the mob was about to set about him, two constables arrived and pulled them to safety.

As a footnote, the press reported a wig and curling tongs were among items stolen by the mob.

Disgraceful conduct was not confined to Montrose. In Dundee that same year, well-dressed young men were condemned by letter writers to this newspaper for spoiling concerts at the Albert Institute.

“Their low remarks and harsh guffaws are intolerable,” wrote one correspondent.

“By their coarse oaths and vulgar conversation, they disgust the sensitive feelings of those who have the misfortune to be near them.”

Their low remarks and harsh guffaws are intolerable.