The Understudy
Print
ca. 1940 (made)
ca. 1940 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The woodcut depicts an understudy, waiting to see if she will be called to go on stage that evening. The understudy is an actor who learns the part of a leading character in a play, in order to take over should the lead be unable to appear on stage. This kind of opportunity has often advanced actors to stardom in showbusiness, and hence the depiction of the actress in this woodcut as being apprehensive.
Peter Bax, the artist, worked as an assistant stage manager at Drury Lane Theatre from 1924. Working behind-the-scenes, he would have experienced the tension of the understudy first-hand. After later working on the first BBC television transmissions, in 1934, he further honed his aptitude for scenic design at Alexander Palace theatre.
Peter Bax, the artist, worked as an assistant stage manager at Drury Lane Theatre from 1924. Working behind-the-scenes, he would have experienced the tension of the understudy first-hand. After later working on the first BBC television transmissions, in 1934, he further honed his aptitude for scenic design at Alexander Palace theatre.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Understudy (assigned by artist) |
| Materials and techniques | Woodcut on paper |
| Brief description | The Understudy, woodcut by Peter Bax showing a young woman standing backstage in a theatre, ca. 1940 |
| Physical description | Black and white woodcut print, with wide border. An actress stands with her left hand to her face, looking nervous as she leans against a wall. She wears a wide-sleeved robe over her dress and clutches folds of the robe's fabric in her right hand. There is exposed brickwork and pipe work on the wall, left. The title, 'THE UNDERSTUDY.' is printed on the border below the image. The artist's signature is below the image, lower right. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Gallery label | The life of an understudy is one of perpetual tension. Their role is to take over a part if a main performer is indisposed, so they never know when they might be called upon.(2008) |
| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Summary | The woodcut depicts an understudy, waiting to see if she will be called to go on stage that evening. The understudy is an actor who learns the part of a leading character in a play, in order to take over should the lead be unable to appear on stage. This kind of opportunity has often advanced actors to stardom in showbusiness, and hence the depiction of the actress in this woodcut as being apprehensive. Peter Bax, the artist, worked as an assistant stage manager at Drury Lane Theatre from 1924. Working behind-the-scenes, he would have experienced the tension of the understudy first-hand. After later working on the first BBC television transmissions, in 1934, he further honed his aptitude for scenic design at Alexander Palace theatre. |
| Associated objects |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.46-2008 |
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| Record created | February 27, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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