Chimpanzees' tea party

The Chimpanzee tea party was a form of public entertainment in which chimpanzees were dressed in human clothes and provided with a table of food and drink.

The first such tea party was held at the London Zoo in 1926, two years after the opening of Monkey Hill. They were put on almost daily during the summer until they were discontinued in 1972. It was later adopted by other organizations. This concept quickly gained popularity, drawing crowds to witness these primates mimicking human behavior. The chimps, adorned in hats, dresses, and other garments, would engage in activities reminiscent of a sophisticated tea party, such as sipping from cups, nibbling on snacks, and interacting with each other in playful ways. This idea was even used for marketing techniques in the 1900’s. They were the inspiration for the PG Tips television advertisements which began in 1956. Neil Heath notes that concerns over animal welfare and the potential for exploitation have been a result of using chimps for advertising campaigns.