Not currently on display at the V&A

Feliks Topolski Collection

Drawing
1977 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

One of a series of 8 sketches by Feliks Topolski connected with the production of Illuminatus at the Cottesloe, National Theatre in March, 1977.

Annotation at the base of this sketch indicates that it shows the actor David Rappaport (1951-1990) who played the role of Markoff Chaney in the production.

Illuminatus was the first public performance to be staged at the Cottesloe. Based on The Illuminatus Trilogy (a series of three novels written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson and first published in 1975) the production was directed by Ken Campbell who decided to stage the books in their entirity, converting them into a cycle of five plays: The Eye of the Pyramid, Swift Kick Inc, The Man Who Murdered God, Walpurgisnacht Rock and Leviathan. Each play consisted of five 23-minute-long acts.

The production was first performed in Liverpool, opening in November of 1976, and Ken Campbell and Chris Langham set up 'The Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool' to bring together the cast required for this ambitious venture.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleFeliks Topolski Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Marker pen and crayon on paper
Brief description
One of a series of 8 sketches by Feliks Topolski, this one showing David Rappaport, connected with the production of Illuminatus at the Cottesloe, National Theatre in March, 1977.
Physical description
Vertical sketch on cream paper in felt pen, charcoal and crayon. It shows a scene from the 1977 production of Illuminatus at the Cottesloe, (National Theatre). Charcoal shading and line drawing have been used to create impressions of three figures. One female and two others (shown in profile) male. Coloured crayon has been used to add vivid green eyes and bright pink lipstick has been added to the woman's face.
Dimensions
  • Height: 41.5cm
  • Width: 28.9cm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • COTTESLOE/ILLUMINATUS/David Rapport (Handwritten annotation in red ink in the bottom right hand corner of the sketch)
  • 'No salesperson may/leave the floor without/the authorisation/of a superior/MGT' (Handwritten annotation in charcoal on the left hand side of the sketch)
Credit line
Given by the artist
Subject depicted
Literary referenceIlluminatus
Summary
One of a series of 8 sketches by Feliks Topolski connected with the production of Illuminatus at the Cottesloe, National Theatre in March, 1977.

Annotation at the base of this sketch indicates that it shows the actor David Rappaport (1951-1990) who played the role of Markoff Chaney in the production.

Illuminatus was the first public performance to be staged at the Cottesloe. Based on The Illuminatus Trilogy (a series of three novels written by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson and first published in 1975) the production was directed by Ken Campbell who decided to stage the books in their entirity, converting them into a cycle of five plays: The Eye of the Pyramid, Swift Kick Inc, The Man Who Murdered God, Walpurgisnacht Rock and Leviathan. Each play consisted of five 23-minute-long acts.

The production was first performed in Liverpool, opening in November of 1976, and Ken Campbell and Chris Langham set up 'The Science Fiction Theatre of Liverpool' to bring together the cast required for this ambitious venture.
Associated objects
Other number
74 - Creator's reference no.
Collection
Accession number
S.145-1979

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Record createdDecember 9, 2010
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