Souvenir of the third anniversary of Charley's Aunt at the Globe Theatre
Vesta Case
1895 (made)
1895 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Brandon Thomas's farce Charley's Aunt was produced at the Royalty Theatre from 21st December 1892 to 28th January 1893, after which it transferred to the Globe Theatre and played from 30th January 1893 to 19th December 1896. This souvenir was given to commemorate the third anniversary of the play and bears an image of W.S. Penley in the title role.
William Sydney Penley (1851-1912) knon as W.S. Penley, was a trained singer and naturally gifted comedian who performed with the D'Oyly Carte Company in his early career. He made a hit on the London stage as the innocent young clergyman Reverend Robert Spalding in Charles Hawtrey's play The Private Secretary at the Globe Theatre, 19th May 1884, a role originally created by Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It was a part with which his name was associated for years, although his greatest success came in Charley's Aunt.
Penley produced Charley's Aunt at Bury St. Edmunds, 29th February 1892, appearing as Lord Fancourt Babberley, the character who impersonates Charley's aunt. The play was performed 1,466 times in succession until it was withdrawn in December 1896, a record at the time and for many years after, earning Penley a considerable fortune. The role of Lord Fancourt Babberley was also played during its run by Edwin H. Wynne, F. Newton-Lindo and Stanley Cooke.
William Sydney Penley (1851-1912) knon as W.S. Penley, was a trained singer and naturally gifted comedian who performed with the D'Oyly Carte Company in his early career. He made a hit on the London stage as the innocent young clergyman Reverend Robert Spalding in Charles Hawtrey's play The Private Secretary at the Globe Theatre, 19th May 1884, a role originally created by Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It was a part with which his name was associated for years, although his greatest success came in Charley's Aunt.
Penley produced Charley's Aunt at Bury St. Edmunds, 29th February 1892, appearing as Lord Fancourt Babberley, the character who impersonates Charley's aunt. The play was performed 1,466 times in succession until it was withdrawn in December 1896, a record at the time and for many years after, earning Penley a considerable fortune. The role of Lord Fancourt Babberley was also played during its run by Edwin H. Wynne, F. Newton-Lindo and Stanley Cooke.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Souvenir of the third anniversary of Charley's Aunt at the Globe Theatre (generic title) |
| Brief description | Silver vesta case produced in 1895 as a souvenir of the third anniversary of Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas that opened at the Royalty Theatre, 21st December 1892 and transferred to the Globe Theatre in 1893. Decorated with an inscription and repoussé image of W.S. Penley (1851-1912) in the title role. Walker & Hall, Sheffield 1895 |
| Physical description | Silver pocket vesta case or match box engraved on back 'from Charley's Aunt Dec. 21st 1895', with a repoussé portrait of the actor W. S. Penley as Charley's Aunt on the front. The bottom edge is ridged for striking wax matches. The hinged lid opens to the top left and fastens to the top right. |
| Credit line | Given by the British Theatre Museum Association |
| Object history | Made as a souvenir for gentlemen to commemorate the third aniversary of Charley's Aunt at the Globe Theatre 21st December 1895. A companion silver heart-shaped trinket box was made for ladies. |
| Association | |
| Summary | Brandon Thomas's farce Charley's Aunt was produced at the Royalty Theatre from 21st December 1892 to 28th January 1893, after which it transferred to the Globe Theatre and played from 30th January 1893 to 19th December 1896. This souvenir was given to commemorate the third anniversary of the play and bears an image of W.S. Penley in the title role. William Sydney Penley (1851-1912) knon as W.S. Penley, was a trained singer and naturally gifted comedian who performed with the D'Oyly Carte Company in his early career. He made a hit on the London stage as the innocent young clergyman Reverend Robert Spalding in Charles Hawtrey's play The Private Secretary at the Globe Theatre, 19th May 1884, a role originally created by Herbert Beerbohm Tree. It was a part with which his name was associated for years, although his greatest success came in Charley's Aunt. Penley produced Charley's Aunt at Bury St. Edmunds, 29th February 1892, appearing as Lord Fancourt Babberley, the character who impersonates Charley's aunt. The play was performed 1,466 times in succession until it was withdrawn in December 1896, a record at the time and for many years after, earning Penley a considerable fortune. The role of Lord Fancourt Babberley was also played during its run by Edwin H. Wynne, F. Newton-Lindo and Stanley Cooke. |
| Associated object | S.38-1976 (Object) |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.880-1981 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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