Ella Shields as Burlington Bertie from Bow
Caricature
30 July 1937 (dated)
30 July 1937 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This caricature shows Ella Shields (1879-1952) as Burlington Bertie at the Oxford New Theatre on 30 July 1937. 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.
The American-born music hall star Ella Shields was a male impersonator in the tradition of the elegantly dressed female 'masher' performers Vesta Tilley and Hetty King. Ella Shields's career began in 1898 and lasted for over 50 years. Famous for her hit song Burlington Bertie From Bow written by her first husband William Hargreaves, Ella Shields was one of the stars who appeared at the opening of the London Palladium in 1910. In 1948 she appeared at the London Palladium on the same bill of the Royal Command Performance as the young Julie Andrews.
The American-born music hall star Ella Shields was a male impersonator in the tradition of the elegantly dressed female 'masher' performers Vesta Tilley and Hetty King. Ella Shields's career began in 1898 and lasted for over 50 years. Famous for her hit song Burlington Bertie From Bow written by her first husband William Hargreaves, Ella Shields was one of the stars who appeared at the opening of the London Palladium in 1910. In 1948 she appeared at the London Palladium on the same bill of the Royal Command Performance as the young Julie Andrews.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Ella Shields as Burlington Bertie from Bow (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Pencil on paper |
| Brief description | Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Ella Shields as Burlington Bertie from Bow, New Theatre Oxford, 30 July 1937. |
| Physical description | Pencil caricature of Ella Shields as Burlington Bertie, New Theatre, Oxford, 30 July 1937. 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 | Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the New Theatre, Oxford when he drew this caricature. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This caricature shows Ella Shields (1879-1952) as Burlington Bertie at the Oxford New Theatre on 30 July 1937. 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. The American-born music hall star Ella Shields was a male impersonator in the tradition of the elegantly dressed female 'masher' performers Vesta Tilley and Hetty King. Ella Shields's career began in 1898 and lasted for over 50 years. Famous for her hit song Burlington Bertie From Bow written by her first husband William Hargreaves, Ella Shields was one of the stars who appeared at the opening of the London Palladium in 1910. In 1948 she appeared at the London Palladium on the same bill of the Royal Command Performance as the young Julie Andrews. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.131:65-2002 |
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| Record created | December 11, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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