Not currently on display at the V&A

The Merry Widow poster

Poster
1924 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This poster advertises the 1923 revival of George Edwardes' production of Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow. Originally written by Lehar as Die Lustige Witwe and first performed in Vienna in 1905, Edwardes had commissioned an English version for Daly's Theatre from the lyricist Adrian Ross and the librettist Edward Morton, although Morton's disappointing script was rewritten by Basil Hood. It opened at Daly's Theatre on 8th June 1907 with Lily Elsie in the title role of Sonia, Joseph Coyne as Danilo, and the comedian George Graves as Baron Popoff. It was a huge success, running for 778 performances in London and touring extensively in the UK.

Graves was to play Baron Popoff many times during his career, and he directed the 1923 revival that was produced by Walter and Frederick Melville, after Edwardes' death. This poster advertises the revival at London's Lyceum Theatre, 28th May 1924, starring Nancie Lovat as Sonia, Carl Brisson as Danilo, George Graves as Baron Popoff, and W.H. Rawlings, James Hay, Flora Courtney and Pamela Basselow.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Merry Widow poster (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Printed ink on paper
Brief description
Poster advertising The Merry Widow at Lyceum Theatre, London, 1924
Physical description
Typographic.
Dimensions
  • Poster height: 51.1cm
  • Poster width: 38.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • Stamped with Enthoven collection, V.A.M. stamp.
  • Transliteration
Object history
Associated Production: The Merry Widow. Lyricist: Adrian Ross. Composer: Franz Lehar. Director: George Graves. Actor: Carl Brisson. Lyceum Theatre, Strand, London. 28.5.1924. Performance category: musical comedy.
Summary
This poster advertises the 1923 revival of George Edwardes' production of Franz Lehar's The Merry Widow. Originally written by Lehar as Die Lustige Witwe and first performed in Vienna in 1905, Edwardes had commissioned an English version for Daly's Theatre from the lyricist Adrian Ross and the librettist Edward Morton, although Morton's disappointing script was rewritten by Basil Hood. It opened at Daly's Theatre on 8th June 1907 with Lily Elsie in the title role of Sonia, Joseph Coyne as Danilo, and the comedian George Graves as Baron Popoff. It was a huge success, running for 778 performances in London and touring extensively in the UK.

Graves was to play Baron Popoff many times during his career, and he directed the 1923 revival that was produced by Walter and Frederick Melville, after Edwardes' death. This poster advertises the revival at London's Lyceum Theatre, 28th May 1924, starring Nancie Lovat as Sonia, Carl Brisson as Danilo, George Graves as Baron Popoff, and W.H. Rawlings, James Hay, Flora Courtney and Pamela Basselow.
Collection
Accession number
S.2819-1994

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Record createdJuly 27, 2010
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