Costume worn by Harold Chapin (188-1915) as Harlequin in J.M. Barrie's play Pantaloon
Jacket
19th century (made)
19th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Harold Chapin (1886-1915) was an American-born actor and playwright who was brought to England aged three by his actress mother. He was educated in England where he began his acting career, aged seven. He studied singing, and appeared in touring and London productions, as well as working as an assistant stage manager and stage director for the impresario Charles Frohman and for the director and manager Harley Granville Barker. It may have been through Charles Frohman, producer of the original production of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan that he got to know Barrie, the author of the play Pantaloon in which Chapin wore this costume as Harlequin. Barrie wrote the introduction to a collection of Chapin's plays, and acknowledged his talent as a playwright.
The costume was hiredfor the productio from Willie Clarkson's London shop, and was probably made in the 19th century, Chapin liked it so much that he bought it.
The Royalty Theatre Glasgow, where Chapin wore this costume, was one of the first theatres designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham. The Royalty staged plays, opera, and musical comedy and later became home to repertory theatre until it became the Lyric Theatre in 1914.
The costume was hiredfor the productio from Willie Clarkson's London shop, and was probably made in the 19th century, Chapin liked it so much that he bought it.
The Royalty Theatre Glasgow, where Chapin wore this costume, was one of the first theatres designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham. The Royalty staged plays, opera, and musical comedy and later became home to repertory theatre until it became the Lyric Theatre in 1914.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Costume worn by Harold Chapin (188-1915) as Harlequin in J.M. Barrie's play Pantaloon (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Brushed cotton, sequins, metal buttons |
| Brief description | Costume worn by Harold Chapin (1885-1915) as Harlequin in J.M. Barrie's play Pantaloon at the Royalty Theatre Glasgow, 1911. Probably made in the 19th century by Willy Clarkson's Theatrical Costumier and Wig Maker's establishment, from whom it was hired for the production. |
| Physical description | Nineteenth century Harlequin costume in six parts comprising a short brushed cotton jacket of felt triangles in yellow, red and blue, outlined in appliqué sequins. There are bands of yellow and red with sequins on the seams of the jacket and sleeves, with one half of the costume edged with red and the other in yellow. The tight-fitting breeches are of a similar construction, with bands of yellow and red and sequins on the outside seams. The costume inclues a wide brown leather belt with a large brass buckle, a black skull cap, bicorne hat and mask. |
| Dimensions |
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| Object history | Nineteenth century Harlequin costume. The costume was hired from Clarkson's by Harold Chapin to wear as Harlequin in J.M. Barrie's Pantaloon at the Royalty Theatre, Glasgow, in 1911. He liked the costume so much that he bought it. Letter from Mrs Calpso Browning to Jennifer Aylmer, 20th January 1974: "The Harlequin costume was certainly not made for my husband. He hired it from Willy Clarkson the famous Theatrical Costumier and wig maker of the period, and liked it so much he decided to buy it." Hat, skull cap and mask do not appear to be contemporary with the rest of the costume. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Associations | |
| Summary | Harold Chapin (1886-1915) was an American-born actor and playwright who was brought to England aged three by his actress mother. He was educated in England where he began his acting career, aged seven. He studied singing, and appeared in touring and London productions, as well as working as an assistant stage manager and stage director for the impresario Charles Frohman and for the director and manager Harley Granville Barker. It may have been through Charles Frohman, producer of the original production of J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan that he got to know Barrie, the author of the play Pantaloon in which Chapin wore this costume as Harlequin. Barrie wrote the introduction to a collection of Chapin's plays, and acknowledged his talent as a playwright. The costume was hiredfor the productio from Willie Clarkson's London shop, and was probably made in the 19th century, Chapin liked it so much that he bought it. The Royalty Theatre Glasgow, where Chapin wore this costume, was one of the first theatres designed by the celebrated theatre architect Frank Matcham. The Royalty staged plays, opera, and musical comedy and later became home to repertory theatre until it became the Lyric Theatre in 1914. |
| Other number | 1973/A/159 - BTMA accession number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1409-1984 |
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| Record created | June 16, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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