L'Enfant Prodigue
Photograph
1891 (photographed)
1891 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
On stage photograph by Alfred Ellis of Act 1 of L’Enfant Prodigue, showing Pierrot Junior (Jane May) ‘restless and unhappy’ at the family meal while his parents (Monsieur Coutès as Pierrot Senior and Madame Schmidt as Madame Pierrot) are mystified as to what ails him.
One of a series of posed photographs by Alfred Ellis, London, of L’Enfant Prodigue at the Prince of Wales Theatre. 1891. The photographs appear to be taken on the set of the production under enhanced lighting as they match the set shown in line drawings. Ellis also produced a souvenir with full-length photographic costume portraits of each of the six characters.
L’Enfant Prodigue was a musical play without words in three acts by Michel Carré fils with music by André Wormser. After great success in Paris it became a surprise hit of the 1891 London season, the Princess of Wales visited it at least four times, and it ran for 233 performances. Based on the biblical story of the Prodigal Son it tells of Pierrot Junior who elopes with Phrynette, a laundry-maid, setting her up in an apartment with money stolen from his father. When the money runs out he turns to gambling but Phrynette leaves him for a rich baron. Pierrot Junior returns home but, despite his mother’s pleadings, his father is reluctant to accept him until he resolves to enlist and redeem his wrong-doings.
L’Enfant Prodigue was initially presented at matinees, opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 31 March, but quickly filled the second half of the evening programme. For Clement Scott in the Illustrated London News. it was ‘the most charming entertainment to be seen in London’. The cast was led by Jane May, a French ,actress who moved into Italian-style pantomime and became famous in the role of Pierrot. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News claimed that ‘May ’shows great power of pantomimic expression and almost wins sympathy for a part which is repulsive.’
One of a series of posed photographs by Alfred Ellis, London, of L’Enfant Prodigue at the Prince of Wales Theatre. 1891. The photographs appear to be taken on the set of the production under enhanced lighting as they match the set shown in line drawings. Ellis also produced a souvenir with full-length photographic costume portraits of each of the six characters.
L’Enfant Prodigue was a musical play without words in three acts by Michel Carré fils with music by André Wormser. After great success in Paris it became a surprise hit of the 1891 London season, the Princess of Wales visited it at least four times, and it ran for 233 performances. Based on the biblical story of the Prodigal Son it tells of Pierrot Junior who elopes with Phrynette, a laundry-maid, setting her up in an apartment with money stolen from his father. When the money runs out he turns to gambling but Phrynette leaves him for a rich baron. Pierrot Junior returns home but, despite his mother’s pleadings, his father is reluctant to accept him until he resolves to enlist and redeem his wrong-doings.
L’Enfant Prodigue was initially presented at matinees, opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 31 March, but quickly filled the second half of the evening programme. For Clement Scott in the Illustrated London News. it was ‘the most charming entertainment to be seen in London’. The cast was led by Jane May, a French ,actress who moved into Italian-style pantomime and became famous in the role of Pierrot. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News claimed that ‘May ’shows great power of pantomimic expression and almost wins sympathy for a part which is repulsive.’
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | L'Enfant Prodigue (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Photograph |
| Brief description | On stage photograph by Alfred Ellis of Act 1 of L’Enfant Prodigue, 1891 |
| Physical description | On stage photograph showing a domestic interior with family sitting at the dinner table. The older pierrot, left, and the woman, centre, look with concern at the younger pierrot sitting right, who leans away disinterested, ‘restless and unhappy’. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | '"L’Enfant Prodigue." / Alfred Ellis / 20, Upper Baker Street, / London. N.W.' Note Printed on mount |
| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Summary | On stage photograph by Alfred Ellis of Act 1 of L’Enfant Prodigue, showing Pierrot Junior (Jane May) ‘restless and unhappy’ at the family meal while his parents (Monsieur Coutès as Pierrot Senior and Madame Schmidt as Madame Pierrot) are mystified as to what ails him. One of a series of posed photographs by Alfred Ellis, London, of L’Enfant Prodigue at the Prince of Wales Theatre. 1891. The photographs appear to be taken on the set of the production under enhanced lighting as they match the set shown in line drawings. Ellis also produced a souvenir with full-length photographic costume portraits of each of the six characters. L’Enfant Prodigue was a musical play without words in three acts by Michel Carré fils with music by André Wormser. After great success in Paris it became a surprise hit of the 1891 London season, the Princess of Wales visited it at least four times, and it ran for 233 performances. Based on the biblical story of the Prodigal Son it tells of Pierrot Junior who elopes with Phrynette, a laundry-maid, setting her up in an apartment with money stolen from his father. When the money runs out he turns to gambling but Phrynette leaves him for a rich baron. Pierrot Junior returns home but, despite his mother’s pleadings, his father is reluctant to accept him until he resolves to enlist and redeem his wrong-doings. L’Enfant Prodigue was initially presented at matinees, opening at the Prince of Wales Theatre on 31 March, but quickly filled the second half of the evening programme. For Clement Scott in the Illustrated London News. it was ‘the most charming entertainment to be seen in London’. The cast was led by Jane May, a French ,actress who moved into Italian-style pantomime and became famous in the role of Pierrot. The Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News claimed that ‘May ’shows great power of pantomimic expression and almost wins sympathy for a part which is repulsive.’ |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.41-2021 |
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| Record created | May 10, 2021 |
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