Not currently on display at the V&A

Costume Design

1966 (painted)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Costume design for Athene Seyler as Martha in Act 1 of "Arsenic and Old Lace". The design shows a full length female figure with left arm outstretched. The figure wears a pale blue Edwardian gown with white lace collar and cuffs. The background has been painted pale brown. Annotated in pencil by the artist.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Pencil, gouache, on paper
Brief description
Costume design by Anthony Holland for Athene Seyler as Martha in Act 1 of Arsenic and Old Lace, Vaudeville Theatre, 1966
Physical description
Costume design for Athene Seyler as Martha in Act 1 of "Arsenic and Old Lace". The design shows a full length female figure with left arm outstretched. The figure wears a pale blue Edwardian gown with white lace collar and cuffs. The background has been painted pale brown. Annotated in pencil by the artist.
Dimensions
  • Height: 380mm
  • Width: 277mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • ' A 103 / "Arsenic and Old Lace" / Martha Act 1 ' (Textual information; Upper right hand corner; Handwriting; Pencil)
  • ' "Arsenic And Old Lace" / Martha - Act 1 / (Athene Seyler) ' (Textual information; Upper left hand corner; handwriting; pencil)
  • ' Anthony Holland ' (Signature; Lower right hand corner; handwriting; pencil)
Credit line
Given by Anthony Holland
Object history
This costume design by Anthony Holland is part of an extensive collection of designs donated to the Theatre Museum by the artist in 1996. The design was executed for a production of Joseph Kesselring's play Arsenic and Old Lace held at the Vaudeville Theatre, 1966. The production was directed by Murray MacDonald.

Historical significance: Athene Seyler made her last stage appearance as Martha in the 1966 production of Arsenic and Old Lace
Subjects depicted
Association
Literary referenceArsenic and Old Lace
Collection
Accession number
S.523-2000

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Record createdAugust 2, 2000
Record URL
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