Set design

Physical description

Set design probably depicting a fictionalised tomb monument for Queen Elizabeth I, showing the recumbent queen attended by a pair of female angels (or possibly Virtues) below a representation of King Henry VIII seated on an elaborate throne. The king is surrounded by two putti and two male figures. The design has been executed in sepia ink, mounted onto card, and covered with a clear plastic sheet which has been "squared up" with white wax crayon.

Date

1966 (Painted, Drawn)

Artist/maker

Stone, Alix, born 1913 (theatre designers)

Materials and Techniques

Pencil & ink on paper with card mount, covered in clear plastic with crayon markings.

Dimensions

Height: 359 mm, Width: 210 mm, Height: 392 mm Card mount, Width: 266 mm Card mount, Height: 403 mm Card mount & plastic cover, Width: 274 mm Card mount & plastic cover

Object history note

This set design by Alix Stone is part of an extensive collection of designs purchased by the Theatre Museum directly from the artist in 1994. The design was executed for a production of Benjamin Britten's opera "Gloriana" by the Sadler's Wells Opera at Sadler's Wells, October 21st 1966. The libretto by William Plomer is based on Lytton Strachey's book "Elizabeth & Essex". The opera was produced by Colin Graham, conducted by Mario Bernardi, choreographed by Peter Darrell, and lit by Charles Bristow. Sylvia Fisher sang the role of Queen Elizabeth I, John Wakefield was Essex, and John Cameron was Cecil. The production was revived at Sadler's Wells in September 1967, and March 1968. It was also performed at the Aldeburgh Festival in June 1968.

In Fenruary 1969 the designs were revised by Alix Stone when Sadler's Wells Opera (later English National Opera) moved to the much larger stage of the London Coliseum. This revised production was revived at the Coliseum in August 1972, February 1975, and March 1984 (when it was recorded for Channel 4 TV and released on video). The production also toured to the Vienna Volksoper in June 1975; and to the USA where it was performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in the summer of 1984.

Descriptive line

Set design by Alix Stone for a cloth probably depicting a tomb monument in "Gloriana", Sadler's Wells Opera, 1966.

Associated names

Britten, Benjamin Edward (Lord); Queen Elizabeth I; Strachey Giles, Lytton

Production Note

Reason For Production: Commission

Materials

Paper; Pencil; Ink; Card; Plastic; Crayon

Techniques

Painted, Drawn

Subjects depicted

Putti; Angels; Opera; Tombs; Theatre, Set design; Elizabeth I (Queen of England and Wales); Henry VIII (King of England)

Production Type

Unique

Collection code

T&P