Not currently on display at the V&A

Danny La Rue as Fabrinia, an Ugly Sister in Cinderella

Caricature
11 January 1965 (dated)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This caricature shows Danny La Rue (1927-2009) as Fabrina in Cinderella by Harry Bright at the Oxford New Theatre in December 1964. 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.

Danny La Rue, perhaps Britain's most famous glamorous female impersonator, was born in Ireland, came to England when he was nine and began his career in repertory and variety after serving with the Royal Navy. A hugely popular and stylish pantomime dame, Danny La Rue starred in Hello Dolly! and had great success in summer variety shows.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleDanny La Rue as Fabrinia, an Ugly Sister in <i>Cinderella</i> (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Pencil, pen and ink and wash on paper
Brief description
Pencil, pen and ink and wash caricature on paper of Danny La Rue as Fabrinia, an Ugly Sister in Cinderella at the New Theatre Oxford, by Gilbert Sommerlad, 11 January 1965.
Physical description
Pencil, pen and ink and wash caricature on paper of Danny La Rue as Fabrinia, an Ugly Sister in Cinderella at the New Theatre Oxford. Dated 11 January 1965. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.
Dimensions
  • Height: 25cm
  • Width: 17cm
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 October 1957 and October 1965 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 Danny La Rue (1927-2009) as Fabrina in Cinderella by Harry Bright at the Oxford New Theatre in December 1964. 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.

Danny La Rue, perhaps Britain's most famous glamorous female impersonator, was born in Ireland, came to England when he was nine and began his career in repertory and variety after serving with the Royal Navy. A hugely popular and stylish pantomime dame, Danny La Rue starred in Hello Dolly! and had great success in summer variety shows.
Collection
Accession number
S.133:71-2002

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Record createdDecember 12, 2003
Record URL
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