Olivia
Theatre Costume
ca.1885 (made)
ca.1885 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Unbleached linen smock, mid to late nineteenth century. This smock is thought to have been used as a theatre costume and is associated with a production of Olivia, by William Gorman Wills (1828–1891), which was first staged at the Lyceum Theatre in 1885.
The play was an adaptation of the novel The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774). The played featured Sir Henry Irving in the role of the Vicar, Dr Primrose, a part, which, unusually for Irving, was secondary to the starring role of Olivia, played by Ellen Terry (1847-1928). The character of a benign, gentle, elderly parent was outside Irving’s usual range, but the play was a great success. First produced in 1885, Irving and Terry were still performing it as late as 1900.
The play was an adaptation of the novel The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774). The played featured Sir Henry Irving in the role of the Vicar, Dr Primrose, a part, which, unusually for Irving, was secondary to the starring role of Olivia, played by Ellen Terry (1847-1928). The character of a benign, gentle, elderly parent was outside Irving’s usual range, but the play was a great success. First produced in 1885, Irving and Terry were still performing it as late as 1900.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Olivia (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Linen, brass buttons, hand embroidery. |
| Brief description | Unbleached linen smock, mid to late nineteenth century. This smock is thought to have been used as a theatre costume and is associated with a production of Olivia which was first staged at the Lyceum Theatre in 1885. |
| Physical description | Unbleached linen smock. The smock has long sleeves and reaches to just below the knee. The sleeves are full and narrow towards the cuff where they are secured with two pairs of brass buttons (only one now remaining). The chest, shoulder line and upper part of the sleeves are elaborately decorated with embroidered patterns. The edge of the wide curved, falling, collar has also been embellished with embroidered motifs. The smock is not lined. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Sir Donald Sinden |
| Summary | Unbleached linen smock, mid to late nineteenth century. This smock is thought to have been used as a theatre costume and is associated with a production of Olivia, by William Gorman Wills (1828–1891), which was first staged at the Lyceum Theatre in 1885. The play was an adaptation of the novel The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith (1730–1774). The played featured Sir Henry Irving in the role of the Vicar, Dr Primrose, a part, which, unusually for Irving, was secondary to the starring role of Olivia, played by Ellen Terry (1847-1928). The character of a benign, gentle, elderly parent was outside Irving’s usual range, but the play was a great success. First produced in 1885, Irving and Terry were still performing it as late as 1900. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.842-2017 |
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| Record created | August 7, 2017 |
| Record URL |
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