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Sarah "Sadie" Farley Allan - Poli Theater - 3

Left: Poli Theatre Ad – The Commuters – 1912

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for the comedy, The Commuters, 1912



Right: Poli Theatre Ad – Three Twins  (1912)

Farley-Allan Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Musical Comedy, Three Twins  (1912)
Left: Poli Theatre Ad – Kaufmann’s Cycling Beauties  (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Brilliant, Spectacular, Kaufmann’s Cycling Beauties  (1912)

Right: Seven Days – Poli Theatre Ad (1912)

When the Poli Players staged the hilarious comedy, “Seven Days,” in July 1912, they packed the theater to capacity for every matineee and night performance. Under quarantine over a scarlet fever scare, the main characters are confined to a small New York home for seven days, leading to a series of comical situations. In her “line-up” illustration of the cast, Farley-Allan demonstrated her superb caricature and cartooning skills.
Left: Poli Theatre Ad – A Romance of the Under World - 1912

Farley-Allan Theatre Ad for the Vaudeville drama,  A Romance of the Under World  (1912)


Right: Poli Theatre Ad – Charley’s Aunt - 1912

Farley-Allan Theatre Ad for the uproarious comedy, Charley’s Aunt  (1912)

Left: Poli Theatre Ad – The Barrier – 1912

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad for the drama, The Barrier, 1912





Right: Poli Theatre Ad - York State Folks (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – A Life Story Full of Tears & Drama, York State Folks  (1912)
Left: Poli Theatre Program Cover - (1912)

Most of Farley Allan’s Poli Theatre Program covers are Art Nouveau in style - some black & white, others two-colored, portraying sophisticated, theatre-going couples in various settings.






Right: In 1999 - Poli Theatre Ad - (1912)

In March 1912, the Poli Theater staged "In 1999," a one-act comedy about future gender role reversal. Sarah later told one of her sisters that she modeled the married couple in the show’s newspaper ad after herself and her husband, James. That’s Sarah in the foreground, lighting a cigarette, stylishly dressed in a wide-brimmed hat, riding clothes and high buckled shoes, with a crop under her arm. Behind her, looking bewildered, is her husband, in a bathrobe and slippers, taking care of their infant son, John, and the family cat.


Left: Poli Theatre Ad - The Chorus Lady  (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Lillian Bayer in The Chorus Lady (1912)





Right:. Poli Theatre Ad - Bobby Burnit  (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Comedy, Bobby Burnit  (1912)

Left: Poli Theatre Ad - Seven Sisters (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Fun, Witty Comedy,  Seven Sisters (1912)




Right Top: Poli Theatre Ad - Witching Hour  (1912)

Farley-Allan Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad – Powerful Psychological Drama, Witching Hour  (1912)



Right Bottom: Poli Theatre Ad - Song Review, Gus Edwards (1912)

Farley-Allan Poli Theatre Ad - Song Review, Gus Edwards  (1912)
 




Left: Poli Theatre News cover – Sept. 1913. (flutist, cherub)

Farley-Allan cover illustration of the Poli Theatre News, undated, Art Nouveau. Image courtesy of the Lackawanna Historical Society.







Right: Poli Theatre Program Cover - (1913) Cover illustration of the Poli Theatre News, 1913. Art Nouveau.

This unusual, beautifully detailed cover was drawn with a fine pen instead of a brush. Farley-Allan blended curved lines, graceful human forms and decorative elements of nature to infuse energy and a sense of motion.
Left: Poli Theatre Ad – Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch - 1912

Farley-Allan Theatre Ad for the comedy-drama,  Mrs Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch (1912)



Right: Poli Theatre Ad – The Awakening of Helena Richie – 1912

Farley-Allan Theater Ad for the powerful drama, The Awakening of Helena Richie  (1912)

Return to Page 1
Poli Theatre Programs
Scranton Theaters: Poli and Academy
Biography of Sarah Leona (Farley) Allan (1878-1923)

Images and information contributed by: Thomas W. Costello, May 2019 to April 2020
Tom can be reached at this e-mail address:

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