Not currently on display at the V&A

Roy Fox

Caricature
16 April 1936 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This caricature shows the band leader Roy Fox (1901-1982) at the Oxford New Theatre on 16 April 1936. 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.

Roy Fox was born in Denver, Colorado, and arrived in Britain in 1930 as an established band-leader. He performed at the Café de Paris with an eight piece all-American line-up, but made his name through a Decca recording contract and by becoming resident band-leader at the Monsigneur Restaurant in Piccadilly for which he assembled some excellent British musicians including singer Al Bowlly. Fox and his band appeared at the Palladium in December 1930 and he eventually formed a second band which proved popular during its time at the Café Anglais. Over the next few years he did a round of club and stage performances, backed up by radio broadcasts and studio dates. In 1938 he went to Australia, only returning to Britain in the postwar years.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleRoy Fox (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pencil and ink on paper
Brief description
Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of the band leader Roy Fox, New Theatre, Oxford, 16 April 1936.
Physical description
Pencil caricature of the band leader Roy Fox, New Theatre, Oxford, 16 April 1936. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.
Dimensions
  • Height: 19cm
  • Width: 11cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Best wishes Roy Fox' (Pen and ink inscription by Roy Fox)
  • 'ROY FOX NEW THEATRE OXFORD 16.4.36' (Pencil inscription by Gilbert Sommerlad.)
Credit line
Given by Michael Sommerlad
Object history
Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the New Theatre, Oxford when he drew this caricature.
Subject depicted
Summary
This caricature shows the band leader Roy Fox (1901-1982) at the Oxford New Theatre on 16 April 1936. 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.

Roy Fox was born in Denver, Colorado, and arrived in Britain in 1930 as an established band-leader. He performed at the Café de Paris with an eight piece all-American line-up, but made his name through a Decca recording contract and by becoming resident band-leader at the Monsigneur Restaurant in Piccadilly for which he assembled some excellent British musicians including singer Al Bowlly. Fox and his band appeared at the Palladium in December 1930 and he eventually formed a second band which proved popular during its time at the Café Anglais. Over the next few years he did a round of club and stage performances, backed up by radio broadcasts and studio dates. In 1938 he went to Australia, only returning to Britain in the postwar years.
Collection
Accession number
S.131:40-2002

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Record createdDecember 9, 2003
Record URL
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