Poster
1891 (printed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
L'Enfant Prodigue, advertised as 'a Parisian success', was originally produced in Paris at the Bouffes Parisiens on 21 June 1890. After its production in London, which opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 31 March 1891, it was revived the following year at the Criterion Theatre, opening on 11 April 1892.
French plays were well known to attract London audiences, often promising farce and the lure of illicit affairs.This was a different type of Gallic offering, and a surprise hit for the West End stage. It was a three-hour tragi-comedy, performed entirely in mime by five characters. Billed as: 'a musical play without words' it starred Jane May as Pierrot in typical white-face make-up and white ruff collar, a black suit and skull cap, playing the prodigal son of the title who falls in love with Phyrnette, his mother's washerwoman. He robs his bourgeois parents Monsieur and Madame Pierrot, and after wasting his time with riotous living, returns to make amends to his parents, finally leaving to expiate his sins by serving his country.
French plays were well known to attract London audiences, often promising farce and the lure of illicit affairs.This was a different type of Gallic offering, and a surprise hit for the West End stage. It was a three-hour tragi-comedy, performed entirely in mime by five characters. Billed as: 'a musical play without words' it starred Jane May as Pierrot in typical white-face make-up and white ruff collar, a black suit and skull cap, playing the prodigal son of the title who falls in love with Phyrnette, his mother's washerwoman. He robs his bourgeois parents Monsieur and Madame Pierrot, and after wasting his time with riotous living, returns to make amends to his parents, finally leaving to expiate his sins by serving his country.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Printed paper |
| Brief description | Typographical poster printed in brown and blue advertising L'Enfant Prodigue, the musical play by Michel Carré with music by André Wormser, preceded by The 15th of October, an operetta by E.Leterrier and A. Vanloo with lyrics by G. Capel and music by G. Jacobi, Prince of Wales Theatre 31 March 1891. Printed by David Allen & Sons Ltd. |
| Physical description | Typographical poster printed in upper-case lettering in blue and brown, with the name PRINCE OF WALES and the title L'ENFANT PRODIGUE in blue, all other printing in brown. Listing the name of the theatre manager Mr Horace Sedger, the names of the author and composer of 'The Great Parisian Success' L'Enfant Prodigue, Michel Carré and André Wormser, and the names of the authors and composer of The 15th of October, E.Leterrier, A. Vanlo, G. Capel and G. Jacobi. Also listing the names of the performers in L'Enfant Prodigue as Mdlle Jane May, Mde. Schmidt, Mdlle Francesca Zanfretta, M. Courtes, M. Louis Gouget, M. Jean Arcueil, the pianist M. Emil Artaud and the musical director Mr. Alfred Carpenter. The names of the performers in The 15th of October are noted as Mr. Leonard Russell, Mr. Harry Parker, Mr. George Marer and Miss Cissie Cranford. The poster gives the name of the business manager of the theatre Mr. William Greet, the acting manager Mr. C.P. Levilly, the theatre owner Mr. Edgar Bruce, the times the doors open and when carriages should arrive, and the ticket prices. |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Object history | This poster advertises L'Enfant Prodigue as 'a Parisian success' since it was originally produced in Paris at the Bouffes Parisiens on 21 June 1890. Subsequent to its production in London at the Prince of Wales Theatre from 31 March 1891 it was put on again the following year at the Criterion Theatre, opening 11 April 1892. |
| Summary | L'Enfant Prodigue, advertised as 'a Parisian success', was originally produced in Paris at the Bouffes Parisiens on 21 June 1890. After its production in London, which opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 31 March 1891, it was revived the following year at the Criterion Theatre, opening on 11 April 1892. French plays were well known to attract London audiences, often promising farce and the lure of illicit affairs.This was a different type of Gallic offering, and a surprise hit for the West End stage. It was a three-hour tragi-comedy, performed entirely in mime by five characters. Billed as: 'a musical play without words' it starred Jane May as Pierrot in typical white-face make-up and white ruff collar, a black suit and skull cap, playing the prodigal son of the title who falls in love with Phyrnette, his mother's washerwoman. He robs his bourgeois parents Monsieur and Madame Pierrot, and after wasting his time with riotous living, returns to make amends to his parents, finally leaving to expiate his sins by serving his country. |
| Bibliographic reference | London Theatres and Music Halls 1850-1950 by Diana Howard |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.153-2007 |
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| Record created | September 6, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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