Not currently on display at the V&A

Peter Haddon

Caricature
12 May 1937 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This caricature shows Peter Haddon (1897-1962) as John Sixsmith in No Sleep for the Wicked at the Oxford New Theatre on 12 May 1937. 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.

The actor Peter Haddon directed No Sleep for the Wicked which had its first London production at Daly's Theatre in June 1937 after its try-out tour which visited Oxford. Peter Haddon studied medicine at Cambridge where he was a member of the Footlights Dramatic Society. He made his first London stage appearance in 1920 in The Naughty Princess and went on to appear in many productions in London and on tour. He appeared in several films including The House of the Spaniard (1936) and The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1952).


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePeter Haddon (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pencil on paper
Brief description
Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Peter Haddon at Oxford New Theatre, 12 May 1937.
Physical description
Pencil caricature of Peter Haddon, New Theatre Oxford, 12 May 1937. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.
Dimensions
  • Height: 14.1cm
  • Width: 10.9cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • PETER HADDON. OXFORD. 12.5.37 (Pencil inscription by Gilbert Sommerlad.)
  • This is very good. Yours Sincerely Peter Haddon (Blue crayon inscription by Peter Haddon.)
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 Peter Haddon (1897-1962) as John Sixsmith in No Sleep for the Wicked at the Oxford New Theatre on 12 May 1937. 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.

The actor Peter Haddon directed No Sleep for the Wicked which had its first London production at Daly's Theatre in June 1937 after its try-out tour which visited Oxford. Peter Haddon studied medicine at Cambridge where he was a member of the Footlights Dramatic Society. He made his first London stage appearance in 1920 in The Naughty Princess and went on to appear in many productions in London and on tour. He appeared in several films including The House of the Spaniard (1936) and The Second Mrs Tanqueray (1952).
Collection
Accession number
S.131:54-2002

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Record createdDecember 10, 2003
Record URL
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