Kimono worn by Vivian Carman in The Mikado
Theatre Costume
| 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 Vivian Carman who worked with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus from 1963 to 1965.
This kimono 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 kimono 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 Vivian Carman in The Mikado (generic title) |
| Brief description | Kimono worn by chorister Vivian Carman in D'Oyly Carte Company performances of The Mikado by Gilbert & Sullivan ca.1963. Designed by Charles Ricketts (1866-1931) and probably made by L&H Nathan |
| Physical description | Floor-length kimono with upper green section with stencilled butterfly pattern and lower cream section patterned with appliqué gold satin circle motifs with red edging and small central red circles. With wide sleeves and padded pink edging around the neck, front opening and hem. Lined in green artifical silk lining, with red decorative cord at sleeve openings. Cream tape sewn at neckline inscribed 'Carman' |
| 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 Vivian Carman who worked with the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company chorus from 1963 to 1965. This kimono 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.1103-2021 |
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| Record created | September 9, 2021 |
| Record URL |
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