On display

Candle-snuffer, modelled as Berwick Kaler playing Betty Turpin in Dick Turpin at the Theatre Royal York, 2008

Candle-Snuffer
2008 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This candle-snuffer, in the form of actor Berwick Kaler as Dame Betty Turpin, was sold in a presentation box by the York china retailers, Mulberry Hall. It was produced by Bronte Porcelain and commissioned by Mulberry Hall to commemorate Kaler's appearance in Dick Turpin (December 2008 - January 2009), the 30th pantomime at York Theatre Royal that Kaler had written and directed, and in which he starred as Dame.

In British pantomme the Dame role is traditionally played by a man, but unlike the actors whose Dames are characterised by heavy make-up in an effort to imitate a stereotypically glamorous woman, Berwick Kaler's Dame was always resolutely the portrayal of a man in a frock, wearing workman's heavy boots. The boots can be seen in this figurine, hanging behind his back, while in his right hand he holds the biscuit known as a Wagon Wheel that he always threw to the audience during his shows. Kaler called the audience: 'My babbies, my babies', and was always a Yorkshire character, as signified in this costume by the White Rose of York on his skirt.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleCandle-snuffer, modelled as Berwick Kaler playing Betty Turpin in Dick Turpin at the Theatre Royal York, 2008 (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Hand-painted bone china
Brief description
Bone china candle-snuffer representing the actor Berwick Kaler in his costume as Dame Betty Turpin in Dick Turpin, the 30th pantomime that he wrote and directed for York Theatre Royal, and in which he starred, opening 11 December 2008. Made by Bronte Porcelain in a limited edition of 300 for Mulberry Hall, York
Physical description
Bone china candle-snuffer in the shape of the actor Berwick Kaler dressed in his costume for Dame Betty Turpin in Dick Turpin. Painted in flesh tones for the features, with auburn for the hair and red and gold for the dress, with a central White Rose of York on the top gold band around the hips. In his right hand he holds a Wagon Wheel (the wrapped biscuit traditionally thrown to the audience during the show), while his boots hang down behind his back.
Dimensions
  • Top of head to base height: 11.6cm
  • Base width: 6.5cm
  • Base depth: 6.1cm
  • Widest part of figure width: 10.3cm
  • Height: 9.2cm (of its presentation box, including its lid)
  • Width: 12.8cm (of its presentation box, including its lid)
  • Depth: 12.8cm (of its presentation box, including its lid)
Gallery label
(2024)
This candle snuffer was commissioned to celebrate actor Berwick Kaler’s 30th pantomime at York Theatre Royal. Kaler wrote the shows and always played the Dame. He is depicted as Dame Betty Turpin in Dick Turpin with his trademark heavy boots behind his back. In his hand he holds a Wagon Wheel biscuit. Kaler introduced the tradition of throwing the biscuits into the audience during performances.
(March 2014)
This candle snuffer shows the popularity of pantomime in Britain. It was commissioned to celebrate actor Berwick Kaler’s 30th pantomime at York Theatre Royal. It shows Kaler as the Dame in Dick Turpin, complete with his trademark wig, boots and Wagon Wheel biscuit. As part of the performance, Wagon Wheels are thrown into the audience.

Object history
Made by Bronte Porcelain of Malvern for Mulberry Hall, York, to commemorate Berwick Kaler's 30th pantomime for the Theatre Royal York, December 2008 - January 2009.
Summary
This candle-snuffer, in the form of actor Berwick Kaler as Dame Betty Turpin, was sold in a presentation box by the York china retailers, Mulberry Hall. It was produced by Bronte Porcelain and commissioned by Mulberry Hall to commemorate Kaler's appearance in Dick Turpin (December 2008 - January 2009), the 30th pantomime at York Theatre Royal that Kaler had written and directed, and in which he starred as Dame.

In British pantomme the Dame role is traditionally played by a man, but unlike the actors whose Dames are characterised by heavy make-up in an effort to imitate a stereotypically glamorous woman, Berwick Kaler's Dame was always resolutely the portrayal of a man in a frock, wearing workman's heavy boots. The boots can be seen in this figurine, hanging behind his back, while in his right hand he holds the biscuit known as a Wagon Wheel that he always threw to the audience during his shows. Kaler called the audience: 'My babbies, my babies', and was always a Yorkshire character, as signified in this costume by the White Rose of York on his skirt.
Associated object
S.998-2017 (Object)
Other numbers
  • 81 - Limited Edition Number
  • L Xll TA
Collection
Accession number
S.3479-2013

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Record createdMay 14, 2013
Record URL
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