Figurine
1921 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London stage productions. The 19th century saw a craze for ceramic figurines of performers. Agatha Walker attempted to revive this tradition with her limited edition sculptures, modelled from life in plaster and coated with a fine layer of wax which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society.
This represents the actress and singer Beryl Freeman as Diana Trapes in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 5th June 1920. It was one of a set of characters from this opera produced by Agatha Walker in 1921. This revival of the18th century operetta ran for 1463 performances and was a great success for the theatre's owner Sir Nigel Playfair who had purchased the lease of the derelict theatre building in 1918 in a syndicate. He transformed it into a highly successful venue, putting Hammersmith firmly on the theatrical map.
This represents the actress and singer Beryl Freeman as Diana Trapes in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 5th June 1920. It was one of a set of characters from this opera produced by Agatha Walker in 1921. This revival of the18th century operetta ran for 1463 performances and was a great success for the theatre's owner Sir Nigel Playfair who had purchased the lease of the derelict theatre building in 1918 in a syndicate. He transformed it into a highly successful venue, putting Hammersmith firmly on the theatrical map.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Moulded plaster covered in wax and coloured |
| Brief description | Figurine of Beryl Freeman as Mrs Diana Trapes in The Beggar's Opera, Lyric Hammersmith, 1920. Moulded plaster coated in wax and coloured, by Agatha Walker, 1922. |
| Physical description | Wax figurine of Beryl Freeman as Diana Trapes on an integral black base incised with details, showing her standing, leaning to her left, her left hand to her ear, her right hand at her side at waist height. She is wearing a black hooded cape, pale lemon-yellow gown with green fastenings, cuffs and mittens, and ochre buckled shoes. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | The revival of The Beggar's Opera by John Gay in which Beryl Freeman played Diana Trapes opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, 5 June 1920. |
| Association | |
| Summary | This is one of several wax figurines executed by Agatha Walker in the 1920s, mostly of actors and actresses in character in successful London stage productions. The 19th century saw a craze for ceramic figurines of performers. Agatha Walker attempted to revive this tradition with her limited edition sculptures, modelled from life in plaster and coated with a fine layer of wax which was then coloured. In 1931 Agatha Walker's wax figures were exhibited at the Fine Art Society. This represents the actress and singer Beryl Freeman as Diana Trapes in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera which opened at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith on 5th June 1920. It was one of a set of characters from this opera produced by Agatha Walker in 1921. This revival of the18th century operetta ran for 1463 performances and was a great success for the theatre's owner Sir Nigel Playfair who had purchased the lease of the derelict theatre building in 1918 in a syndicate. He transformed it into a highly successful venue, putting Hammersmith firmly on the theatrical map. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.23-1977 |
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| Record created | November 23, 2005 |
| Record URL |
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