Harry Machlin conducting a performance of Humpty Dumpty
Caricature
December 1967-January 1968 (dated)
December 1967-January 1968 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature shows Harry Machlin conducting a performance of Humpty Dumpty at the Oxford New Theatre, Christmas. 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.
Humpty Dumpty by Phil Park and David Croft, adapted by Stanley Wilis-Croft, with songs by Cyril Ornadel, Phil Park and David Croft, was the Christmas pantomime at the New Theatre. It starred the performer Dickie Henderson (1922-1985), well-known at the time from numerous television appearances, as the King.
Humpty Dumpty by Phil Park and David Croft, adapted by Stanley Wilis-Croft, with songs by Cyril Ornadel, Phil Park and David Croft, was the Christmas pantomime at the New Theatre. It starred the performer Dickie Henderson (1922-1985), well-known at the time from numerous television appearances, as the King.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Harry Machlin conducting a performance of <font -i>Humpty Dumpty</font -i> (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil on cream cartridge paper |
| Brief description | Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Harry Machlin conducting a performance of Humpty Dumpty at the New Theatre Oxford, dated Christmas 1967. |
| Physical description | Pencil caricature of Harry Machlin conducting a performance of Humpty Dumpty, dated Christmas 1967/8, 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. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Michael Sommerlad |
| Object history | 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. |
| Production | The signature of the individual depicted on this caricature is indistinct, but is thought to read 'Harry Machlin' |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This caricature shows Harry Machlin conducting a performance of Humpty Dumpty at the Oxford New Theatre, Christmas. 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. Humpty Dumpty by Phil Park and David Croft, adapted by Stanley Wilis-Croft, with songs by Cyril Ornadel, Phil Park and David Croft, was the Christmas pantomime at the New Theatre. It starred the performer Dickie Henderson (1922-1985), well-known at the time from numerous television appearances, as the King. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.130:52-2002 |
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| Record created | December 15, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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