Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Jack Walker conducting a performance of When In Rome at the New Theatre Oxford, dated December 1959

Pencil caricature of Jack Walker conducting a performance of When in Rome, dated December 1959, part of an artist's hard-backed sketch book manufactured by George Rowney & Co., called 'The Euston Sketch Book'. The pencilled sketch is drawn directly onto the page (cream cartridge paper). Titled and dated by the artist and signed by the subject.

Given by Michael Sommerlad

The artist of these caricatures, Gilbert Sommerlad, was by profession a musician who was born into a family that had a long tradition of professional musicians. In 1936 he moved to the recently built New Theatre, Oxford, to join his brother Roy (violin and clarinet) as resident pianist.

Gilbert was an exceptionally good and popular rehearsal pianist, and visiting companies and individual performers used to make sure that he would be available. He became well-known in the profession and his ability as a caricaturist became common knowledge. The volume that includes this drawing contains sketches mostly of musical directors and conductors working at the Oxford New Theatre with Gilbert Sommerlad.

The musical When In Rome with books and lyrics by Garinei and Giovanni, with music by Kramer, English lyrics by Eric Shaw, adapted by ted Willis and Ken Ferrey opened in London at the Adelphi Theatre on 16 December 1959. The week at Oxford was part of the try-out tour.

This caricature shows Jack Walker conducting a performance of When in Rome at the Oxford New Theatre in December 1959. 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 musical When in Rome with books and lyrics by Garinei and Giovanni and music by Kramer, opened in London at the Adelphi Theatre on 16 December 1959. The week at Oxford was part of the try-out tour.

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