Robert Morley in Hippo Dancing
Caricature
4 March 1954 (dated)
4 March 1954 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature shows Robert Morley (1908-1992) as Harry Osborne or 'Hippo', in Hippo Dancing by Robert Morley at the Oxford New Theatre in March 1954. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn’t needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.
Robert Morley, actor and author, made his first London appearance as a Pirate in Treasure Island, at the Strand Theatre, 1929, and his first on Broadway in 1938 as Henry Higgins in Pygmalion. With his characteristic portly appearance and gruff voice, he was a popular character actor who also became well known on television.
Robert Morley, actor and author, made his first London appearance as a Pirate in Treasure Island, at the Strand Theatre, 1929, and his first on Broadway in 1938 as Henry Higgins in Pygmalion. With his characteristic portly appearance and gruff voice, he was a popular character actor who also became well known on television.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Robert Morley in <i>Hippo Dancing</i> (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil, pen and watercolour on paper |
| Brief description | Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad of Robert Morley in Hippo Dancing, New Theatre Oxford, 4 March 1954. |
| Physical description | Pencil, pen and watercolour caricature of Robert Morley in Hippo Dancing. Dated 4 March 1954. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Michael Sommerlad |
| Object history | This caricature comes from an album of caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert J.Sommerlad (1904-1976) between December 1951 and October 1957 at the Oxford New Theatre. Gilbert Sommerlad moved from Brighton to the recently built New Theatre, Oxford, to join his brother Roy (violin and clarinet) as resident pianist in 1936. He continued with his caricatures until his retirement. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This caricature shows Robert Morley (1908-1992) as Harry Osborne or 'Hippo', in Hippo Dancing by Robert Morley at the Oxford New Theatre in March 1954. It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years. Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn’t needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums. Robert Morley, actor and author, made his first London appearance as a Pirate in Treasure Island, at the Strand Theatre, 1929, and his first on Broadway in 1938 as Henry Higgins in Pygmalion. With his characteristic portly appearance and gruff voice, he was a popular character actor who also became well known on television. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.132:30-2002 |
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| Record created | December 3, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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