On stage photograph by Alfred Ellis of Act 1 of L’Enfant Prodigue, showing Phrynette's boudoir of Act 2 with Pierrot Junior (Jane May) in a dark fitted suit, rather than his usual white, and Phrynette (Francesca Zanfretta) in her new finery.

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, 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.’