Costume Design
1948 (painted)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Berkeley Sutcliffe (1918-1979) was one of the leading stage designers of the mid-20th century. He was best known as the creator of spectacular and amusing scenery and costumes for revue, musicals and pantomimes. He successfully combined theatre work with a career at the famous London department store, Fortnum and Mason, where he was head designer, and for which he devised the clock that had become the shop's symbol.
The revue, Slings and Arrows, was devised by Hermione Gingold, who also starred in the show, and by Charles Hickman, and was staged at the Comedy Theatre in 1948. The design shows a Victorian family taking tea in one of the Opening Tableau. It is a good example of Sutcliffe's witty, decorative style, which conveys character as well as costume, and is heavily annotated with details of the required colours and materials. The design was given to the Museum by the actress, Gwen Cherrell, who appeared in the revue herself.
The revue, Slings and Arrows, was devised by Hermione Gingold, who also starred in the show, and by Charles Hickman, and was staged at the Comedy Theatre in 1948. The design shows a Victorian family taking tea in one of the Opening Tableau. It is a good example of Sutcliffe's witty, decorative style, which conveys character as well as costume, and is heavily annotated with details of the required colours and materials. The design was given to the Museum by the actress, Gwen Cherrell, who appeared in the revue herself.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Ink and wash on paper |
| Brief description | Costume design by Berkeley Sutcliffe for an opening tableau in the revue, Slings and Arrows, Comedy Theatre, 1948 |
| Physical description | Design for 'Tea Time no.2', an opening tableau in the revue, Slings and Arrows, showing a Victorian al fresco tea party, with, centre, a small circular table, set with cups, a cake on a stand and a tea pot, behind which is standing a bewhiskered gentleman in a smoking hat, drinking tea. To the left are two young women, one seated, to the right is seated an older woman in a lace cap, and at far right a maid enters with a tray. The whole is drawn in black ink on a yellow wash, and is heavily annotated with details of costume colours and materials |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Berkeley Sutcliffe' (Signed, bottom right hand corner) |
| Credit line | Given by Gwen Cherrell |
| Object history | The revue, Slings and Arrows, was devised by Hermione Gingold and Charles Hickman, and staged at the Comedy Theatre in 1948. The design shows one of the Opening Tableau which introduced members of the company, led by Hermione Gingold and Walter Crisham. It was given to the Museum by the actress, Gwen Cherrell, who appeared in the revue herself |
| Summary | Berkeley Sutcliffe (1918-1979) was one of the leading stage designers of the mid-20th century. He was best known as the creator of spectacular and amusing scenery and costumes for revue, musicals and pantomimes. He successfully combined theatre work with a career at the famous London department store, Fortnum and Mason, where he was head designer, and for which he devised the clock that had become the shop's symbol. The revue, Slings and Arrows, was devised by Hermione Gingold, who also starred in the show, and by Charles Hickman, and was staged at the Comedy Theatre in 1948. The design shows a Victorian family taking tea in one of the Opening Tableau. It is a good example of Sutcliffe's witty, decorative style, which conveys character as well as costume, and is heavily annotated with details of the required colours and materials. The design was given to the Museum by the actress, Gwen Cherrell, who appeared in the revue herself. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.139-2004 |
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| Record created | December 9, 2004 |
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