Crowd watching entertainers on a beach, Kent, c 1910.

ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: A snapshot photograph of a crowd on the beach in Broadstairs, taken by an unknown photographer in about 1910. A large crowd of children and adults sit on the beach, watching a troupe of minstrel entertainers. In the background stand payment booths for bathing machine hire. Beach entertainers such as this singer with his blackened face had established their popularity by the 1870s. Arriving in Britain from America around the middle of the nineteenth century, they proved highly popular. Holidaymakers from the cities thrived on a variety of amusements at the seaside. Sea air and family entertainment provided all-age respite from dirty streets and noisy factories. (Photo by SSPL/Getty Images)