Not currently on display at the V&A

Bobbie Comber in Between Ourselves

Caricature
16 June 1932 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This caricature shows Bobbie Comber (1890-1942) in Between Ourselves at the Brighton Theatre Royal on 16 June 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.

Bobbie Comber started his career as a Civil Servant and made his first appearance on the stage at the Theatre Royal Bournemouth in 1904 in a small part in the musical comedy The Geisha. He spent ten years touring the provinces in musical plays, after which he toured in Chu Chin Chow from 1919 until 1920. He made his first London stage appearance at the Adelphi Theatre in 1920 when he understudied W.H. Berry in The Naughty Princess and went on to undertake many roles in the West End and on tour, and in films including Elstree Calling (1930) and Lazybones (1935).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleBobbie Comber in <i>Between Ourselves</i> (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pencil and ink on paper
Brief description
Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad of Bobbie Comber in Between Ourselves at the Brighton Theatre Royal, 16 June 1932.
Physical description
Pencil caricature of Bobbie Comber in Between Ourselves at the Brighton Theatre Royal. Dated 16 June 1932. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.
Dimensions
  • Height: 11.9cm
  • Width: 8.6cm
Credit line
Given by Michael Sommerlad
Object history
Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the Theatre Royal Brighton when he drew this caricature.
Subject depicted
Summary
This caricature shows Bobbie Comber (1890-1942) in Between Ourselves at the Brighton Theatre Royal on 16 June 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.

Bobbie Comber started his career as a Civil Servant and made his first appearance on the stage at the Theatre Royal Bournemouth in 1904 in a small part in the musical comedy The Geisha. He spent ten years touring the provinces in musical plays, after which he toured in Chu Chin Chow from 1919 until 1920. He made his first London stage appearance at the Adelphi Theatre in 1920 when he understudied W.H. Berry in The Naughty Princess and went on to undertake many roles in the West End and on tour, and in films including Elstree Calling (1930) and Lazybones (1935).
Collection
Accession number
S.131:14-2002

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 2, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSON