Ko-Ko
Wig
1926 (designed), mid 20th century (made)
1926 (designed), mid 20th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This wig was designed for the character of Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Mikado, performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The Mikado was first performed at the Savoy Theatre in 1885 and was an instant success. It remains the most frequently performed of all Gilbert and Sullivan's works. New costume designs were created by Charles Ricketts for the 1926 season. These designs were used until the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company closed in 1982. This wig is based on Charles Rickett's 1926 design, but was made by Wig Creations Ltd for a later production.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Ko-Ko (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Human hair on mesh netting |
| Brief description | Wig for Ko-Ko in The Mikado, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, mid 20th Century. |
| Physical description | Wig cap made from cotton gauze and caul net with sides of stiff stage lace. The outside of the cotton gauze has been painted skin colour to give the appearance of a bald cap. Long black hairs have been hooked into the base of the cap and gathered into a loop at the back of the head to form a ponytail. Shorter black hairs form the sideburns and nape of the wig. |
| Summary | This wig was designed for the character of Ko-Ko in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Mikado, performed by the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company. The Mikado was first performed at the Savoy Theatre in 1885 and was an instant success. It remains the most frequently performed of all Gilbert and Sullivan's works. New costume designs were created by Charles Ricketts for the 1926 season. These designs were used until the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company closed in 1982. This wig is based on Charles Rickett's 1926 design, but was made by Wig Creations Ltd for a later production. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.260-1985 |
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| Record created | July 1, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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