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Sarah "Sadie" Farley Allan - Poli Theater - 1

"Scranton's Premiere Playhouse Formally Opened September 2nd 1907. The Theatre which has an established reputation for producing the creme of metropolitan successes both in Vaudeville & Stock." The illustration portion was done by Sarah Farley Allan.
The above advertisement is from the 1912 Board of Trade publication.
The Poli Theatre, 220 Wyoming Ave., Scranton, PA. was founded by Sylvester Z. Poli. The theater opened on Labor Day in September 1907. Poli promoted the Poli as a theater offering "high class vaudeville" and “clean, wholesome entertainment” for the entire family. The elaborate, 2000-seat theater, with orchestra and two balcony levels, was built for $250,000.

From 1909 to 1913, Sarah Farley Allan created many illustrated Poli newspaper advertisements and covers for the Poli Theatre News. She also edited articles profiling Poli Players cast members.

Above: Poli Theatre News cover – (c. 1907)

Cover illustration of the Poli Theatre News, c. 1907. Two-color, Art Nouveau.
Above: Poli Theatre News cover – undated

Farley-Allan cover illustration of the Poli Theatre News, undated.

Above: Poli Theatre Ad - Annie Abbott (1909)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad - The Georgia Magnet, Annie Abbott, (1909)

Ad Illustration for The Wolf, 1910

Farley-Allan illustration from Poli Theatre Ad for The Wolf, 1910

Poli Theatre Ad – The Top O’The World – 1910

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for the musical comedy, The Top O’The World – 1910
Poli Theatre Ad - Odiva (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Beautiful Samoan Diver, Odiva (1910)
Poli Theatre Ad – Dr. Carl Herman M. E.  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – The Man Who Trained Electricity, Dr. Carl Herman M. E., (1910)

Poli Theater Ad – The Foolish Factory  - 1910

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for Billie Burke’s, The Foolish Factory - 1910

Poli Theatre Ad - Operatic Festival Week  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Musical, Operatic Festival Week (1910)
Poli Theatre Ad - Charmion  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – The Aerial Monologist, Charmion – 1910
Poli Theatre Ad - Jack the Giant Killer  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – The Tallest Actor on Earth, Jack the Giant Killer  (1910)
Poli Theatre Ad - Paris by Night  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad - Paris by Night   (1910)
Poli Theater Ad – The Old Soldier Fiddlers - 1910

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for The Old Soldier Fidddlers - 1910
Left: Poli Theatre Ad – The Rolfonians  -  1910

Farley-Allan Theatre Ad for the great musical, The Rolfonians  (1910)


Right: Poli Theatre Ad – Brewster’s Millions - 1910

Farley Allan Theatre Ad for the big scenic production, Brewsters Millions  (1910)

 Left: Poli Theatre Ad - The Squaw Man (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Romantic Western Drama, The Squaw Man  (1910)

Right: Poli Theater Ad – Sowing the Wind – 1910

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for Sowing the Wind - 1910
Left: Poli Theatre Ad – The County Chairman - 1910

Farley-Allan Theatre Ad for the rural comedy, The County Chairman  (1910)


Right Top: Poli Theatre Ad – Clothes - 1910

Farley Allan Theatre Ad for the four-act comedy, Clothes  (1910)



Right Bottom: Poli Theatre Ad – Dehaven Sextette - 1910

Farley Allan Theatre Ad for the music and dance production, DeHaven Sextette   (1910)

Left: Poli Theatre Ad – The Little Stranger – 1910

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for the Vaudeville Drama, The Little Stranger, 1910

Right: Poli Theatre Ad – Eight Geisha Girls  (1910)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Song & Dance -  Eight Geisha Girls  (1910)
Page 2 of Poli Theatre by Sarah Farley-Allen
Scranton Theaters: Poli and Academy
 Poli Theatre Programs
Return to Page 1
Biography of Sarah Leona (Farley) Allan (1878-1923)
Images and information contributed by: Thomas W. Costello, May 2019 to August 2020
Tom can be reached at this e-mail address:
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