Caricature
9 November 1904 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature is of the comedian Alf Gibson when he was performing at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 7 November 1904. He was billed as ‘the Popular Quaint Comedian of “I never let it upset me” fame’. It is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre. He compiled them in a series of albums.
Alf Gibson (1860–1920) was well known for his Yorkshire dialect. He also did an act billed as ‘The Comedian who Never Moves’. Like his contemporary, the performer Sam Mayo, who was known as ‘The Immobile One’, Gibson specialised in standing motionless on the stage for periods of time. He managed to maintain a deadpan expression. The tradition of the lugubrious comedian has continued in stand-up and television comedy. The art of standing still is practised by street performers, such as those in Covent Garden in London and Las Ramblas in Barcelona.
Alf Gibson (1860–1920) was well known for his Yorkshire dialect. He also did an act billed as ‘The Comedian who Never Moves’. Like his contemporary, the performer Sam Mayo, who was known as ‘The Immobile One’, Gibson specialised in standing motionless on the stage for periods of time. He managed to maintain a deadpan expression. The tradition of the lugubrious comedian has continued in stand-up and television comedy. The art of standing still is practised by street performers, such as those in Covent Garden in London and Las Ramblas in Barcelona.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pen and ink and wash on paper |
| Brief description | Caricature of the music hall comedian Alf Gibson (1860-1920), 'The Comedian who never Moves', from an album of caricatures drawn by George Cooke. Dated 9 November 1904. |
| Physical description | Pen, ink and wash caricature on pink paper of Alf Gibson (1860-1920), full- length, his hands in his pockets. He is wearing a black bowler hat, a white waistcoat and jacket, and black trousers. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Yours Always Alf Gibson All of a sudden he stopped 9.11.04 (Signature; Hand written; Pen and ink) |
| Object history | This caricature is of the music hall comedian Alf Gibson (1860-1920), billed as 'The One who Never Moves'. It comes from the first of albums owned by the Theatre Museum compiled by the graphic artist George Cooke, and features music hall performers working in the early 20th century. The album is dated 1903-4-5. |
| Summary | This caricature is of the comedian Alf Gibson when he was performing at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 7 November 1904. He was billed as ‘the Popular Quaint Comedian of “I never let it upset me” fame’. It is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre. He compiled them in a series of albums. Alf Gibson (1860–1920) was well known for his Yorkshire dialect. He also did an act billed as ‘The Comedian who Never Moves’. Like his contemporary, the performer Sam Mayo, who was known as ‘The Immobile One’, Gibson specialised in standing motionless on the stage for periods of time. He managed to maintain a deadpan expression. The tradition of the lugubrious comedian has continued in stand-up and television comedy. The art of standing still is practised by street performers, such as those in Covent Garden in London and Las Ramblas in Barcelona. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.392:13-2002 |
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| Record created | November 20, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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