Not currently on display at the V&A

Sketch book illustrated by Harry Furniss (1854-1925) relating toThe Dancers, Wyndhams Theatre, 1923.

Sketch Book
1923 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Title page and the first in a series of pencil, pen and ink sketches within a cloth bound sketch book entitled The Dancers, Wyndham's Theatre, 1923. The Dancers opened at Wyndham's Theatre on15th February of 1923. It was written by Gerald Du Maurier (1873-1934) and Viola Tree (1884-1938).

The lead role required demanded an American actress who could dance and Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) was cast in the part. She was given dance training by the Russian choreographer and dancer Leonide Massine (1896-1979) and the part marked her debut on the British Stage. Both the actress and the play proved a widespread success and the popularity of the production was such that demand for tickets soon outstripped supply.

The sketches in the album are signed H. Furness. Harry W. Furniss or William Henry Paul Furniss (1892-1945) was the son of Raymond Furniss, manager of the Bury Hippodrome Theatre, near Manchester. During his career his name was sometimes spelt "Furness" and he called himself Paul Furniss when acting in Australia. He also danced with the Imperial Russian Ballet in Britain as Paul d'Este or Paul d'Esti in the 1920's. His father was a cousin of Harry Furniss (1854-1925), the famous caricaturist who worked with Thomas Edison in film in the US, helping pioneer animated cartoon film. He appeared in the 1923 production of The Dancers alongside Tallulah Bankhead.















Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleSketch book illustrated by Harry Furniss (1854-1925) relating to<i>The Dancers</i>, Wyndhams Theatre, 1923. (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Paper, sketch, canvas cloth
Brief description
One of a series of sketches within a cloth bound sketch book relating to The Dancers by Gerald Du Maurier (1873-1934) and Viola Tree (1884-1938), Wyndham's Theatre, 15 February 1923. Pencil sketch signed H. Furniss 1923
Physical description
One of a series of pen and ink sketches within a cloth bound sketch book entitled The DancersWyndhams Theatre, 1923. The sketch shows a full length image of a young woman in a bodice and skirt, she wears a straw boater and the cut of the bodice, in particular the full sleeves, recall the fashions of the mid 1890s. The sketch is accompanied by a hand written caption stating "She'd be about 14/She was very pale" and is signed "H.Furness/1923".
Dimensions
  • Length: 22.7cm
  • Width: 14.2cm
Marks and inscriptions
Transliteration
Credit line
Gabrielle Enthoven Collection
Literary referenceThe Dancers
Summary
Title page and the first in a series of pencil, pen and ink sketches within a cloth bound sketch book entitled The Dancers, Wyndham's Theatre, 1923. The Dancers opened at Wyndham's Theatre on15th February of 1923. It was written by Gerald Du Maurier (1873-1934) and Viola Tree (1884-1938).

The lead role required demanded an American actress who could dance and Tallulah Bankhead (1902-1968) was cast in the part. She was given dance training by the Russian choreographer and dancer Leonide Massine (1896-1979) and the part marked her debut on the British Stage. Both the actress and the play proved a widespread success and the popularity of the production was such that demand for tickets soon outstripped supply.

The sketches in the album are signed H. Furness. Harry W. Furniss or William Henry Paul Furniss (1892-1945) was the son of Raymond Furniss, manager of the Bury Hippodrome Theatre, near Manchester. During his career his name was sometimes spelt "Furness" and he called himself Paul Furniss when acting in Australia. He also danced with the Imperial Russian Ballet in Britain as Paul d'Este or Paul d'Esti in the 1920's. His father was a cousin of Harry Furniss (1854-1925), the famous caricaturist who worked with Thomas Edison in film in the US, helping pioneer animated cartoon film. He appeared in the 1923 production of The Dancers alongside Tallulah Bankhead.













Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
S.3811:2-2013

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Record createdDecember 6, 2013
Record URL
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