Calypso
Set Design
ca. 1948 (made)
ca. 1948 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Set design by Hedley Briggs probably for a production of <i>Calypso</i> at the Playhouse Theatre, May, 1948
Calypso opened in London in 1948. It was the first musical based on a West Indian subject with a predominantly West Indian cast. The date was significant. The opening night was just a month before the Windrush brought the first West Indian immigrants to Britain. Calypso was devised by English actor, dancer and designer Hedley Briggs, who became fascinated by Trinidad culture when he was stationed there in World War II.
Calypso took local songs and dances and pasted them into a standard musical comedy story of lovers' misunderstandings. The plot was old, but the West Indian dances were performed with a dash and verve that were new to English audiences in the late 1940s. The leading role was played by West Indian actor Edric Connor, who spent his life working to increase opportunities for black British performers. He set up an agency to represent them and campaigned for black British actors to replace visiting African American casts after six months. In 1958 he was the first black actor to perform in Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Calypso opened in London in 1948. It was the first musical based on a West Indian subject with a predominantly West Indian cast. The date was significant. The opening night was just a month before the Windrush brought the first West Indian immigrants to Britain. Calypso was devised by English actor, dancer and designer Hedley Briggs, who became fascinated by Trinidad culture when he was stationed there in World War II.
Calypso took local songs and dances and pasted them into a standard musical comedy story of lovers' misunderstandings. The plot was old, but the West Indian dances were performed with a dash and verve that were new to English audiences in the late 1940s. The leading role was played by West Indian actor Edric Connor, who spent his life working to increase opportunities for black British performers. He set up an agency to represent them and campaigned for black British actors to replace visiting African American casts after six months. In 1958 he was the first black actor to perform in Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Calypso (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Hand painted on card |
| Brief description | Set design by Hedley Briggs probably for a production of Calypso at the Playhouse Theatre, May, 1948 |
| Physical description | Set design by Hedley Briggs probably for a production of Calypso at the Playhouse Theatre, May, 1948. Handpainted night time scene showing a group of figures in elaborate costumes dancing and talking around a rectangular arch, further buildings and trees are visible in the background. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by George W. Mansfield |
| Literary reference | Calypso |
| Summary | Set design by Hedley Briggs probably for a production of <i>Calypso</i> at the Playhouse Theatre, May, 1948 Calypso opened in London in 1948. It was the first musical based on a West Indian subject with a predominantly West Indian cast. The date was significant. The opening night was just a month before the Windrush brought the first West Indian immigrants to Britain. Calypso was devised by English actor, dancer and designer Hedley Briggs, who became fascinated by Trinidad culture when he was stationed there in World War II. Calypso took local songs and dances and pasted them into a standard musical comedy story of lovers' misunderstandings. The plot was old, but the West Indian dances were performed with a dash and verve that were new to English audiences in the late 1940s. The leading role was played by West Indian actor Edric Connor, who spent his life working to increase opportunities for black British performers. He set up an agency to represent them and campaigned for black British actors to replace visiting African American casts after six months. In 1958 he was the first black actor to perform in Shakespeare at Stratford-upon-Avon. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1144-1984 |
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| Record created | May 12, 2011 |
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