Kimono worn by Aileen Davies in The Mikado
Theatre Costume
1926 (made)
1926 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The inscription on the maker's label sewn into the costume shows that this particular costume may have been worn by the soprano Aileen Davies (1902-1981) who joined the company as a chorus member in 1923 and was playing principal roles by the 1925-1925 season, and Petti-Sing in The Mikado the following season. She played all the principal mezzo-soprano roles until she left the company in June 1928.
This costume was originally designed by Charles Ricketts (1866-1931) for The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's new production of The Mikado that opened at the Princes Theatre on Monday 20th September 1926. Speculation about the new costumes designed generated a lot of press interest; tickets for the first night sold out months in advance, and the production was broadcast on the radio by the BBC, live from the theatre. Rupert D'Oyly Carte had wanted: 'an entirely new aspect' for his innovative production of the well-loved opera, and Ricketts said of his designs: 'The new dresses I have chosen belong to a period - about 1720 - when national costume was especially beautiful'. The costumes initially received a mixture of praise and condemnation but were used by the company until its first closure in 1982.
This costume was originally designed by Charles Ricketts (1866-1931) for The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's new production of The Mikado that opened at the Princes Theatre on Monday 20th September 1926. Speculation about the new costumes designed generated a lot of press interest; tickets for the first night sold out months in advance, and the production was broadcast on the radio by the BBC, live from the theatre. Rupert D'Oyly Carte had wanted: 'an entirely new aspect' for his innovative production of the well-loved opera, and Ricketts said of his designs: 'The new dresses I have chosen belong to a period - about 1720 - when national costume was especially beautiful'. The costumes initially received a mixture of praise and condemnation but were used by the company until its first closure in 1982.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Kimono worn by Aileen Davies in The Mikado (generic title) |
| Brief description | Kimono possibly worn by Aileen Davies (1902-1981) as Pitti-Sing in D'Oyly Carte Company performances of The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan at the Princes Theatre 1926. Designed by Charles Ricketts (1866-1931) and made by L&H Nathans |
| Physical description | Floor-length kimono in upper salmon pink section and lower white and turquoise scallop-patterned section, with wide sleeves and padded purple edging around the neck, front opening and hem. The lower section is patterned with maroon and blue shapes. Lined in turquoise and sewn with the maker's label for L&H Nathan, 12 Panton Street, Haymarket, inscribed Davies |
| Credit line | Given by The D'Oyly Carte Company |
| Object history | This costume was made for the D'Oyly Carte Company and remained with them until its donation to the museum in 2020 |
| Summary | The inscription on the maker's label sewn into the costume shows that this particular costume may have been worn by the soprano Aileen Davies (1902-1981) who joined the company as a chorus member in 1923 and was playing principal roles by the 1925-1925 season, and Petti-Sing in The Mikado the following season. She played all the principal mezzo-soprano roles until she left the company in June 1928. This costume was originally designed by Charles Ricketts (1866-1931) for The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's new production of The Mikado that opened at the Princes Theatre on Monday 20th September 1926. Speculation about the new costumes designed generated a lot of press interest; tickets for the first night sold out months in advance, and the production was broadcast on the radio by the BBC, live from the theatre. Rupert D'Oyly Carte had wanted: 'an entirely new aspect' for his innovative production of the well-loved opera, and Ricketts said of his designs: 'The new dresses I have chosen belong to a period - about 1720 - when national costume was especially beautiful'. The costumes initially received a mixture of praise and condemnation but were used by the company until its first closure in 1982. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.1101-2021 |
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 9, 2021 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
