Caricature
August 1904 (drawn)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature is of the contortionist George Antill, who performed at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 15 August 1904. He was billed as ‘Comedian. The Evening Shadow’. It is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre. He compiled them in a series of albums.
Antill never became a top-billing performer. Like his contemporary performer Carlton, ‘the human hairpin’, he exaggerated his long limbs with a tight-fitting costume. He made his appearance even more bizarre and comical with exaggerated make-up. He was on the same bill as the comedy acrobats Dezmonti & Mora, who were also drawn by Cooke.
Antill never became a top-billing performer. Like his contemporary performer Carlton, ‘the human hairpin’, he exaggerated his long limbs with a tight-fitting costume. He made his appearance even more bizarre and comical with exaggerated make-up. He was on the same bill as the comedy acrobats Dezmonti & Mora, who were also drawn by Cooke.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Pen and ink and wash on paper |
| Brief description | Caricature of the contortionist George Antill, from an album of caricatures drawn by George Cooke. Dated 27 August 1904. |
| Physical description | Pen, ink and wash caricature of George Antill, full-length, with elongated, bendy legs. He wears a black jacket with a peplum; black trousers and a black hat mounted with a white feather. A roundel to his left shows him as 'The Evening Shadow'. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions |
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| Object history | This caricature is of the contortionist George Antill, performing in 1904. It comes from the first of several albums compiled by the graphic artist George Cooke, featuring performers working in music halls in the early 20th century. The album is dated 1903-4-5. |
| Summary | This caricature is of the contortionist George Antill, who performed at the Grand Theatre of Varieties, Hanley, during the week of 15 August 1904. He was billed as ‘Comedian. The Evening Shadow’. It is one of the many superb caricatures of Edwardian music hall performers that were drawn by the artist George Cooke when he was based at the Grand Theatre. He compiled them in a series of albums. Antill never became a top-billing performer. Like his contemporary performer Carlton, ‘the human hairpin’, he exaggerated his long limbs with a tight-fitting costume. He made his appearance even more bizarre and comical with exaggerated make-up. He was on the same bill as the comedy acrobats Dezmonti & Mora, who were also drawn by Cooke. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.392:10-2002 |
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| Record created | November 26, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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