November 16th , 1891
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show opened at the East End Exhibition Buildings on Duke Street in Glasgow on November 16, 1891
The show, featuring the legendary frontiersman Buffalo Bill (William F. Cody), was a popular traveling exhibition that showcased various elements of the American West, including cowboy skills, sharpshooting, and reenactments of frontier life.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show toured extensively in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both in the United States and internationally.
European Tour
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West toured Europe eight times, the first four tours between 1887 and 1892, and the last four from 1902 to 1906.
The first tour was in 1887 as part of the American Exhibition, which coincided with the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, requested a private preview of the Wild West performance; he was impressed enough to arrange a command performance for Queen Victoria.
The Queen enjoyed the show and meeting the performers, setting the stage for another command performance on June 20, 1887, for her Jubilee guests. Royalty from all over Europe attended, including the future Kaiser Wilhelm II and the future King George V.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West closed its successful London run in October 1887 after more than 300 performances, with more than 2.5 million tickets sold.
The tour made stops in Birmingham and Manchester before returning to the United States in May 1888 for a short summer tour. A return tour was made in 1891-92,[including Cardiff, Wales and Glasgow, Scotland, in the itinerary.
These exhibitions played a significant role in shaping perceptions of the American West and contributed to the popularization of Western themes in entertainment.
Founder - William F. Cody: William F. Cody, known as Buffalo Bill, was a frontiersman, buffalo hunter, and army scout who gained fame for his skills and adventures in the American West.
Inception of the Show: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show was first performed in 1883 in North Platte, Nebraska. The show was initially conceived as a way to showcase life on the American frontier and the skills of various performers.
Show Components: The Wild West Show featured a diverse cast of performers, including cowboys, Native Americans, sharpshooters like Annie Oakley, and historical reenactments such as the Pony Express and stagecoach robberies.
International Tours: The show became immensely popular in the United States, and Buffalo Bill took it on successful tours in Europe, performing for royalty and large audiences. The show played a significant role in shaping European perceptions of the American West.
Legacy: Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show left a lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, influencing later forms of popular culture, including Western films and rodeos.
End of the Show: The Wild West Show continued to tour for several decades, but financial difficulties led to its eventual closure in 1913.
Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show is remembered as a pioneering form of entertainment that brought the mythos of the American West to audiences around the world. The show combined elements of spectacle, adventure, and education, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of its time.
