Doll
1937 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This doll represents Lupino Lane as Bill Snibson in the original production of Noel Gay's Me and My Girl which opened at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in December 1937. The musical comedy was a huge success, running until 1940 and making its cheerful Cockney ' Lambeth Walk' number into an instant hit.
Lupino Lane (1892-1959) was the son of the clown Harry Lupino and the nephew of the theatre manager Sara Lane. He appeared at the London Pavilion in 1903 as 'Nipper' Lane and by the 1920s was a popular performer in the West End and in films. His long list of successful comedy parts was nevertheless eclipsed by his triumph as the Cockney who finds himself one of the aristocracy. The show celebrated its 1000th performance on 26 July 1939, and it may well have been for that occasion that these dolls were made to give to the audience. The Victorian producer George Edwardes inaugurated the system of giving souvenirs to his audiences for special occasions, giving Geisha dolls representing various characters in the cast to every audience member to celebrate the 600th performance of The Geisha.
Lupino Lane (1892-1959) was the son of the clown Harry Lupino and the nephew of the theatre manager Sara Lane. He appeared at the London Pavilion in 1903 as 'Nipper' Lane and by the 1920s was a popular performer in the West End and in films. His long list of successful comedy parts was nevertheless eclipsed by his triumph as the Cockney who finds himself one of the aristocracy. The show celebrated its 1000th performance on 26 July 1939, and it may well have been for that occasion that these dolls were made to give to the audience. The Victorian producer George Edwardes inaugurated the system of giving souvenirs to his audiences for special occasions, giving Geisha dolls representing various characters in the cast to every audience member to celebrate the 600th performance of The Geisha.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Stuffed cotton |
| Brief description | Souvenir doll representing Lupino Lane as Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber, with music by Noel Gay, Victoria Palace Theatre, 16 December 1937. Doll possibly issued 1939. |
| Physical description | Stuffed cotton doll representing Lupino Lane dressed for his role as the cockney ne'er-do-well Bill Snibson in Me and My Girl, with a pink face and printed features, a removable stiffened felt grey-blue pork-pie hat, a black and white dog-tooth checked suit, a blue shirt, a purple bow tie, white gloves and black shoes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'MADE IN ENGLAND BY DEAN'S RAG BOOK CO. LTD LONDON' (Printed label sewn to the sole of the right shoe.) |
| Object history | This souvenir doll representing Lupino Lane as Bill Snibson was produced in association with the successful run of the original production of Me and My Girl at the Victoria Palace Theatre which opened in December 1937. The music was written by Noel Gay with the book and lyrics by L. Arthur Rose and Douglas Furber. |
| Production | The name of the maker on the label reads 'Dean's Rag Book Co.Ltd' |
| Summary | This doll represents Lupino Lane as Bill Snibson in the original production of Noel Gay's Me and My Girl which opened at London's Victoria Palace Theatre in December 1937. The musical comedy was a huge success, running until 1940 and making its cheerful Cockney ' Lambeth Walk' number into an instant hit. Lupino Lane (1892-1959) was the son of the clown Harry Lupino and the nephew of the theatre manager Sara Lane. He appeared at the London Pavilion in 1903 as 'Nipper' Lane and by the 1920s was a popular performer in the West End and in films. His long list of successful comedy parts was nevertheless eclipsed by his triumph as the Cockney who finds himself one of the aristocracy. The show celebrated its 1000th performance on 26 July 1939, and it may well have been for that occasion that these dolls were made to give to the audience. The Victorian producer George Edwardes inaugurated the system of giving souvenirs to his audiences for special occasions, giving Geisha dolls representing various characters in the cast to every audience member to celebrate the 600th performance of The Geisha. |
| Associated object | S.78-2014 (Object) |
| Bibliographic reference | A line drawing of Lupino Lane in this costume features on the cover of the music sheet for The Lambeth Walkin the music sheet collection. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.59-2005 |
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| Record created | May 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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