This caricature shows the matinee idol Matheson Lang (1879-1948) as Wu Li Chang in the play Mr Wu by H.M. Vernon and Harold Owen, at the Brighton Theatre Royal in January 1932. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn’t needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.

It was the actor Matheson Lang who suggested that Gilbert Sommerlad compile albums of his caricatures. Matheson Lang was a link with Victorian theatre, having acted with Sir Frank Benson, Lillie Langtry and Ellen Terry. His character Wu Li Chang, depicted here, was one of his most successful roles which he originally played in London opposite Lilan Braithwaite at the Strand Theatre in 1913, and in a successful silent film version in 1919. This touring revival during which Somerlad drew this opened in Brighton for the week commencing 25 January 1932. A local reviewer noted of Lang's performance: 'the distinguished actor's portrait of the Chinese gentleman is a masterpiece of bland dignity veiling a deadly purpose.'