The second “World Championship” in the series in the ealy 1880s. However this was also organised run by J.H. Wood who had organised the 1880 contest, although the organisation at the venue appears to have been down to a Mr Taylor and a Mr. Mellon. Following the surprise win by the then relatively unknown Dan Leno in 1880 the competition provoked huge interest.
The
competition was held in Cooke’s Circus, Chepstow st., Manchester
commencing on 6th June. It was run in heats over a number of
days as in 1880. It is not quite clear how the procedure worked
but it appears that the number was whittled down to four by the end
of the week. The contestants are listed in the press report opposite.
1st: Tom Ward
2nd: E.H. Doyle
3rd: James Haslam
4th: H. Bennett
The judges were: George Lawrence (Mon-Fri only), Joe Loveley (Mon-Fri only), Dave Hurly, Johnny Fallon, Tom Hibbs.
Horace Wheatley had originally entered but appears to have withdrawn before the contest, his place being taken by St. George. More contentiously, Sam de Voy had paid his entrance money on behalf of Tom Robson, who, presumably when he turn up to dance had been debarred! One can suppose that he wished to keep his entry from the knowledge of the other dancers until the last minute. He was suitably peeved, as was Dan Leno who made all sorts of accusations of skulduggery after the contest.