Not currently on display at the V&A

Lyceum/Cinderella

Drawing
1918 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pen and ink illustration advertising the Lyceum Pantomime, <i>Cinderella </i>. The image is signed by the artist, E.P.Kinsella, in the left hand corner, 1918.

Between 1909 and 1938 the Lyceum Theatre was run by the Melville Brothers, Walter (1875-1937) and Frederick (1876-1938). During this period the theatre established a reputation for staging some of the West End’s premier pantomimes, rivalling those staged at the traditional home of pantomime, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Many of the elaborate pantomimes staged at the Lyceum during this period were written by Frederick Melville. They were often written in rhyming couplets, with deliberately dreadful puns. As well as seeking to restore the narrative elements of pantomime, the Melvilles recognised the importance of spectacle, investing in stunning scenery and costumes. They also indulged in a great deal of “Slap-stick” and the comedians they employed specialised in plate-smashing, messy cake-making in the palace kitchens, and very messy “papering the parlour” scenes.

The 1918 production of Cinderella starred Miss Nancy Gibbs as Cinderella, Miss Alice Lloyd as Dandini (Valet to the Prince), Mr. George Bass as Buttons. The costumes were designed and made by Willie Clarkson and the script was written by Newman Maurice.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleLyceum/Cinderella (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Pen and ink on card
Brief description
Pen and ink illustration advertising the Lyceum Pantomime, Cinderella . The image is signed by the artist, E.P.Kinsella, in the left hand corner, 1918
Physical description
Pen and ink illustration advertising the Lyceum Pantomime, <i>Cinderella </i>. It shows the Cinderella dressed in rags, kneeling, and gazing into the distance, behind her, and unobserved, stand the prince and fairy godmother. The image is not signed but is likley to have been drawn by the artist, E.P.Kinsella, in the left hand corner, 1918.
Dimensions
  • Height: 26.7cm
  • Width: 18.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • "Lyceum/Cinderella" (Handwritten annotation in ink.)
  • Transliteration
Credit line
Given by Andrew Melville
Place depicted
Literary referenceCinderella
Summary
Pen and ink illustration advertising the Lyceum Pantomime, <i>Cinderella </i>. The image is signed by the artist, E.P.Kinsella, in the left hand corner, 1918.

Between 1909 and 1938 the Lyceum Theatre was run by the Melville Brothers, Walter (1875-1937) and Frederick (1876-1938). During this period the theatre established a reputation for staging some of the West End’s premier pantomimes, rivalling those staged at the traditional home of pantomime, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Many of the elaborate pantomimes staged at the Lyceum during this period were written by Frederick Melville. They were often written in rhyming couplets, with deliberately dreadful puns. As well as seeking to restore the narrative elements of pantomime, the Melvilles recognised the importance of spectacle, investing in stunning scenery and costumes. They also indulged in a great deal of “Slap-stick” and the comedians they employed specialised in plate-smashing, messy cake-making in the palace kitchens, and very messy “papering the parlour” scenes.

The 1918 production of Cinderella starred Miss Nancy Gibbs as Cinderella, Miss Alice Lloyd as Dandini (Valet to the Prince), Mr. George Bass as Buttons. The costumes were designed and made by Willie Clarkson and the script was written by Newman Maurice.
Collection
Accession number
S.4625-2013

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Record createdDecember 31, 2013
Record URL
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