Watercolour by George W. Adamson, showing actors from the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 1980. Commissioned by the Friends of the Northcott Theatre and presented to the artistic director, Richard Digby Day, as a leaving gift

Sepia watercolour drawing by George W. Adamson, showing actors in roles played at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, during Richard Digby Day's tenure as artistic director, with an outline drawing of the theatre exterior, which is shown again through a central arched window with a crescent moon above. The actors include Honor Blackman, in Restoration costume, looking through the window, centre, with, standing above, Michael Denison in a 19th century stiff-collared shirt and tie; Dulcie Gray in 19th century dress, right of window; Basil Hoskins, in full bottomed wig, far right; Imelda Stanton as Saint Joan, kneeling on the theatre's fly tower, centre right, and Sally Smith, in modern dress, lying on the floor, centre, with other figures in Restoration, 19th century and modern dress, and in pantomime costume. At centre front, a rug on which is a picture of Shakespeare, a plumed Conquistador helmet, a glass and a Northcott Theatre programme, and two boots. Signed, lower right hand corner. Framed, with a signed inscription by Richard Digby Day on the backboard, giving details of some of the actors and productions, and the provenance.

Given by Richard Digby Day

Watercolour by George W. Adamson, showing actors from the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, 1980. Commissioned by the Friends of the Northcott Theatre and presented to the artistic director, Richard Digby Day, as a leaving gift.

Richard Digby Day was artistic director of the Northcott Theatre from 1978 to 1980. The watercolour drawing shows actors from some of the plays staged during those years and includes Honor Blackman and Basil Hoskins in Congreve's The Way of the World, Dulcie Gray and Michael Denison in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard, Imelda Staunton as Shaw's Saint Joan and Sally Smith in Sondhem's musical Company.

Artist George W. Adamson (1913-2005) was an illustrator, author and cartoonist, whose work appeared regularly in magazines and newspapers, including Punch, the Spectator, the Daily Telegraph and Private Eye. Born in New York, he moved to England as a boy, studying art and training as a teacher. He taught engraving and illustration at Exeter School of Art (1946-1953), and, after a brief period working for a London based design group, became a freelance artist, making Devon his home.

S.2272-1994