Phyllis Bedells and Laurent Novikoff
Photograph
1920 (photographed)
1920 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In 1920 Phyllis Bedells was invited to dance with Laurent Novikoff at performances organised by Theodore Komisajevsky’s Russian Musical Dramatic Art Society at the Wigmore Hall, the Royal Court and the Duke of York’s Theatre. Bedells felt that this opportunity restored her status in ballet when, for a while, she had been dancing in revues. As The Times said of Bedells, ‘one saw her in the daintiest of blue dresses in a Lac des cygnes [Swan Lake] suite, in a Humeresque and in a Valse Caprice. Miss Bedells is probably the best English dancer on the stage at the present moment.’ Bedells and Novikoff were so successful that they were invited to take their programme of ballet miniatures to number one variety theatres in Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and Glasgow. It was probably during that tour that this photograph was taken.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Phyllis Bedells and Laurent Novikoff (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Photograph |
| Brief description | Studio photograph by Dobson Studios, Liverpool, of Phyllis Bedells and Laurent Novikoff, 1920 |
| Physical description | Ballerina on point in arabesque wearing an elaborate costume with trailing feathers from the headdress. She is supported by the hand of her partner, who wears a tunic, short trunks and a headband. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Gabrielle Enthoven Collection |
| Summary | In 1920 Phyllis Bedells was invited to dance with Laurent Novikoff at performances organised by Theodore Komisajevsky’s Russian Musical Dramatic Art Society at the Wigmore Hall, the Royal Court and the Duke of York’s Theatre. Bedells felt that this opportunity restored her status in ballet when, for a while, she had been dancing in revues. As The Times said of Bedells, ‘one saw her in the daintiest of blue dresses in a Lac des cygnes [Swan Lake] suite, in a Humeresque and in a Valse Caprice. Miss Bedells is probably the best English dancer on the stage at the present moment.’ Bedells and Novikoff were so successful that they were invited to take their programme of ballet miniatures to number one variety theatres in Manchester, Liverpool, Brighton and Glasgow. It was probably during that tour that this photograph was taken. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.73-2021 |
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| Record created | May 10, 2021 |
| Record URL |
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