Set design by Maise Meiklejohn for Part II Scene IV of "The Drunkard", Arts Theatre, December 31st 1942.

Projected set design for Part II Scene IV "Broadway (with a view of Barnum's Museum)". The design depicts a 19th century view of Broadway with a Temperance Hall on the extreme right and Barnum's Museum on the left. The design has been squared up in pencil.

This projected set design by Maise Meiklejohn is part of an extensive collection of designs by the artist purchased by the Theatre Museum in 1990. The design was executed for a production of W. H. Smith & a "Gentleman's" play "The Drunkard" performed at the Arts Theatre, December 31st 1942. The production was produced by Mr H. Scott.

Historical significance: This design was executed for a production by the actor/producer Alec Clunes, whose greatest achievement was his direction of eight seasons of plays at the Arts Theatre during a period when money and actors were scarce and scenery hard to get. He introduced an ambitious and intellectually demanding repertory of unearthed English classics and promoted the staging of foreign plays, as an alternative to the usual West End fare of "leg shows" and average drawing room pieces, which earned him the status, according to one critic of "pocket national theatre".
Leela Meinertas, 1990.

Reason For Production: Commission

S.159-2002