Lyceum/Pantomime
Drawing
1919 (drawn)
1919 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Pen and ink illustration advertising a production of the pantomime, <i>Dick Whittington and his Cat</i> at the Lyceum Theatre in 1919. The image is signed by the artist, E.P. Kinsella, in the top left hand corner, 1919.
Between 1909 and 1938 the Lyceum Theatre was run by the Melville Brothers, Walter (1875-1937) and Frederick (1876-1938). During this period the theatre established a reputation for staging some of the West End’s premier pantomimes, rivalling those staged at the traditional home of pantomime, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Many of the elaborate pantomimes staged at the Lyceum during this period were written by Frederick Melville. They were often written in rhyming couplets, with deliberately dreadful puns. As well as seeking to restore the narrative elements of pantomime, the Melvilles recognised the importance of spectacle, investing in stunning scenery and costumes. They also indulged in a great deal of “Slap-stick” and the comedians they employed specialised in plate-smashing, messy cake-making in the palace kitchens, and very messy “papering the parlour” scenes.
The 1919 production of Dick Whittington and His Cat was written by Newman Maurice, with costumes by Clarkson. It starred Miss Mabel Lait as Dick Whittington, George Bass as Idle Jack, and Miss Edith Drayson as Alice, the Alderman’s daughter.
Between 1909 and 1938 the Lyceum Theatre was run by the Melville Brothers, Walter (1875-1937) and Frederick (1876-1938). During this period the theatre established a reputation for staging some of the West End’s premier pantomimes, rivalling those staged at the traditional home of pantomime, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
Many of the elaborate pantomimes staged at the Lyceum during this period were written by Frederick Melville. They were often written in rhyming couplets, with deliberately dreadful puns. As well as seeking to restore the narrative elements of pantomime, the Melvilles recognised the importance of spectacle, investing in stunning scenery and costumes. They also indulged in a great deal of “Slap-stick” and the comedians they employed specialised in plate-smashing, messy cake-making in the palace kitchens, and very messy “papering the parlour” scenes.
The 1919 production of Dick Whittington and His Cat was written by Newman Maurice, with costumes by Clarkson. It starred Miss Mabel Lait as Dick Whittington, George Bass as Idle Jack, and Miss Edith Drayson as Alice, the Alderman’s daughter.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Lyceum/Pantomime (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Pen and ink on card |
| Brief description | Pen and ink illustration advertising a production of the pantomime, Dick Whittington and his cat at the Lyceum Theatre in 1919. The image is signed by the artist, E.P. Kinsella, in the to left hand corner, 1919 |
| Physical description | Pen and ink illustration advertising a production of the pantomime, <i>Dick Whittington and his cat</i> at the Lyceum Theatre in 1919. It shows the principal boy as Dick Whittington, her cat peering out of the bag tied to the stick that she carries over her shoulder. The image is signed by the artist, E.P. Kinsella, in the top left hand corner, 1919. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Credit line | Given by Andrew Melville |
| Place depicted | |
| Literary reference | Dick Whittington |
| Summary | Pen and ink illustration advertising a production of the pantomime, <i>Dick Whittington and his Cat</i> at the Lyceum Theatre in 1919. The image is signed by the artist, E.P. Kinsella, in the top left hand corner, 1919. Between 1909 and 1938 the Lyceum Theatre was run by the Melville Brothers, Walter (1875-1937) and Frederick (1876-1938). During this period the theatre established a reputation for staging some of the West End’s premier pantomimes, rivalling those staged at the traditional home of pantomime, the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Many of the elaborate pantomimes staged at the Lyceum during this period were written by Frederick Melville. They were often written in rhyming couplets, with deliberately dreadful puns. As well as seeking to restore the narrative elements of pantomime, the Melvilles recognised the importance of spectacle, investing in stunning scenery and costumes. They also indulged in a great deal of “Slap-stick” and the comedians they employed specialised in plate-smashing, messy cake-making in the palace kitchens, and very messy “papering the parlour” scenes. The 1919 production of Dick Whittington and His Cat was written by Newman Maurice, with costumes by Clarkson. It starred Miss Mabel Lait as Dick Whittington, George Bass as Idle Jack, and Miss Edith Drayson as Alice, the Alderman’s daughter. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.75-2014 |
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| Record created | January 9, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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