Photograph of Nellie Briercliffe
Photograph
ca.1915 (photographed)
ca.1915 (photographed)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Born in Bolton, Nellie Briercliffe (1889-1966) performed extensively in the provinces before making her London stage debut in December 1913 at the Haymarket Theatre in A Dear Little Wife. She joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in October 1914, immediately assuming the leading soprano roles of Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, Edith in The Pirates of Penzance, Lady Angela in Patience, the title role of Iolanthe, Melissa in Princess Ida, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Tessa in The Gondoliers. When The Sorcerer was revived in 1916, she added the role of Constance.
Briercliffe left the D'Oyly Carte in January 1918 and married in the same year. She rejoined the company in September 1919 for its 1919 season at Prince's Theatre ending on 31st January 1920. She left for other roles but returned to the D'Oyly Carte for the last time for its Savoy Theatre season from October 1929 until May 1930. She continued to perform in musical comedies and stage productions until her retirement in 1931.
The society and royal photographer Alexander Bassano (1829-1913) made his name in Victorian London and opened his first studo in Regent Street in 1850. The studio moved to Piccadilly in 1859, Pall Mall in 1863, and Old Bond Street in 1877. Bassano retired in 1903 when the premises were refurbished and relaunched as 'Bassano Ltd, Royal Photographers'. The studio moved again in 1921 to new premises at 38 Dover Street. The studio address on the mount of this photograph and Briercliffe's inscription to Stanley Parker of the D'Oyly Carte Company's adminirtative staff, dates the photograph to some time between October 1914 when Briercliffe started work with the D'Oyly Carte, and 1921 when Bassano Ltd. moved to 25 Bond Street.
Briercliffe left the D'Oyly Carte in January 1918 and married in the same year. She rejoined the company in September 1919 for its 1919 season at Prince's Theatre ending on 31st January 1920. She left for other roles but returned to the D'Oyly Carte for the last time for its Savoy Theatre season from October 1929 until May 1930. She continued to perform in musical comedies and stage productions until her retirement in 1931.
The society and royal photographer Alexander Bassano (1829-1913) made his name in Victorian London and opened his first studo in Regent Street in 1850. The studio moved to Piccadilly in 1859, Pall Mall in 1863, and Old Bond Street in 1877. Bassano retired in 1903 when the premises were refurbished and relaunched as 'Bassano Ltd, Royal Photographers'. The studio moved again in 1921 to new premises at 38 Dover Street. The studio address on the mount of this photograph and Briercliffe's inscription to Stanley Parker of the D'Oyly Carte Company's adminirtative staff, dates the photograph to some time between October 1914 when Briercliffe started work with the D'Oyly Carte, and 1921 when Bassano Ltd. moved to 25 Bond Street.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Photograph of Nellie Briercliffe (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Photograph mounted on card |
| Brief description | Photograph of Nellie Briercliffe (1889-1966) by Bassano Ltd., London, ca.1915 |
| Physical description | Head and shoulders studio photographic portrait of Nellie Briefcliffe, three-quarters facial view, her left shoulder to the camera, her head turned. In a presentation folder, the white card mount bearing a crown, the trademark name 'Bassano Ltd.' in cursive script, and the studio address. Signed in ink by the sitter and dedicated to Stanley Parker |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'To Mr. Parker with all very best wishes Nellie Briercliffe' |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Peter Parker |
| Object history | This photograph was inherited by Peter Parker, who bequeathed it to the museum, from his father Stanley H. Parker (d.1960) who was employed by the Savoy Hotel as a junior clerk in May 1909, straight from school. From that job, on the death of Helen D'Oyly Carte in 1913, he was appointed by Rupert D'Oyly Carte to understudy George A. Richardson who managed the theatre from November 1911 to February 1915. In 1913 Stanley H. Parker became Rupert and (later) Bridget D'Oyly Carte's private secretary, also secretary of both the Savoy Theatre Ltd., and the Opera Company. He worked for the company for 51 years, until his death in 1960. |
| Summary | Born in Bolton, Nellie Briercliffe (1889-1966) performed extensively in the provinces before making her London stage debut in December 1913 at the Haymarket Theatre in A Dear Little Wife. She joined the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in October 1914, immediately assuming the leading soprano roles of Hebe in H.M.S. Pinafore, Edith in The Pirates of Penzance, Lady Angela in Patience, the title role of Iolanthe, Melissa in Princess Ida, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, Phoebe in The Yeomen of the Guard, and Tessa in The Gondoliers. When The Sorcerer was revived in 1916, she added the role of Constance. Briercliffe left the D'Oyly Carte in January 1918 and married in the same year. She rejoined the company in September 1919 for its 1919 season at Prince's Theatre ending on 31st January 1920. She left for other roles but returned to the D'Oyly Carte for the last time for its Savoy Theatre season from October 1929 until May 1930. She continued to perform in musical comedies and stage productions until her retirement in 1931. The society and royal photographer Alexander Bassano (1829-1913) made his name in Victorian London and opened his first studo in Regent Street in 1850. The studio moved to Piccadilly in 1859, Pall Mall in 1863, and Old Bond Street in 1877. Bassano retired in 1903 when the premises were refurbished and relaunched as 'Bassano Ltd, Royal Photographers'. The studio moved again in 1921 to new premises at 38 Dover Street. The studio address on the mount of this photograph and Briercliffe's inscription to Stanley Parker of the D'Oyly Carte Company's adminirtative staff, dates the photograph to some time between October 1914 when Briercliffe started work with the D'Oyly Carte, and 1921 when Bassano Ltd. moved to 25 Bond Street. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1060-2021 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | September 6, 2021 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
