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Photograph of Gus Garrick wearing a checked dress, standing and looking at the viewer holding some knitting.
Gus Garrick was an actor who appeared at the Cambridge Theatre of Varieties in 1898, in Leeds in 1900, and in Sunderland in November 1914; he is also one of the people portrayed in Walter Lambert's painting 'Popularity' at the Museum of London (190-).

The James Gardiner Collection. Photographs.

James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled Drag. 

James Gardiner Collection: photograph album labelled ‘Drag’.

Gus Garrick in drag as a pantomime dame. 

Ernest Rees in character, possibly as a pantomime dame or as 'Charley's aunt', in the popular farce of the same name. He is wearing a feathery scarf and spectacles, and is pulling a disapproving expression.

Ernest Rees in character as an old lady. 

Building: section through a theatre, half cutaway, showing timber roofing and interior fittings. Etching by H. Adlard, 1849, after S. H. Brooks.

Photograph of George Robey wearing a tiara and dress showing head and shoulders.

Rotary Photographic Series

George Robey in drag as the Queen of Hearts.

According to the British Museum catalogue, Coates, "a wealthy West Indian [owner of a plantation in the West Indies], who called himself an "Amateur of Fashion", appeared as Romeo in Bath on 9 Feb. 1810 ... He was stage-mad, and played (atrociously) for charities and benefits without fee, forcing his services on the management"
In the top right corner a cock with the head of Coates addresses the apothecary in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, act V, scene 1. On the right stand Tragedy and Comedy as two cocks. Shakespeare rises up on the left

1 print : aquatint, with etching ; image 17.3 x 31.4 cm

The amateur actor Robert Coates dreaming about his success on the stage in the role of Romeo. Aquatint attributed to "The Caricaturist General", 1812.

Busby's humorous etchings.

1 print : etching ; image and lettering 11 x 13.2 cm

A lunatic in a barred cell imagines himself to be a leading actor in a melodrama. Etching by T.L. Busby, ca. 1826.

Photograph of Alfred Wellesley dressed in drag as Mrs Sinbad.

Mr. Alfred Wellesley as "Mrs Sinbad" in "Sinbad the sailor"

This description was provided by James Gardiner: "Dan Leno in drag, wearing a flowery skirt, a bonnet and make-up. Before his tragically early death from alcoholism and undiagnosed mental problems at the age of forty-three in 1903, Dan Leno had become the best loved and most highly paid comic actor in the world. His part in the development of the pantomime as known today cannot be underestimated. From 1888, under the aegis of Augustus Harris at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the Christmas season show became a highlight of London's theatrical and Society year. These productions showcased the comic genius of Dan Leno who performed a variety of roles, including Dames unrivalled in their humour and pathos. The present item shows him as Mother Goose, a role he reprised many times".

1 photographic postcard: process print ; 13.8 x 8.8 cm

Dan Leno as "Mother Goose".

The president, Hellebore, represents Sir William Browne, the president of the Royal College of Physicians in 1765-1766

An episode in Samuel Foote's play The devil upon two sticks: the cobbler Emmanuel Last is examined for entry as a licentiate to the Royal College of Physicians by Dr Hellebore, the president of the college. Mezzotint by J. Finlayson after J. Zoffany, 1769.

Booklet advertising Roche Products Limited's Nobrium for therapeutic use in cases of anxiety. The booklet focuses on Eric Porter, the actor.

Stress

12 unnumbered pages : color illustrations ; 30 cm.

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Gus Garrick in drag as a pantomime dame.

Ernest Rees in character as an old lady.

Building: section through a theatre, half cutaway, showing timber roofing and interior fittings. Etching by H. Adlard, 1849, after S. H. Brooks.

George Robey in drag as the Queen of Hearts.

The amateur actor Robert Coates dreaming about his success on the stage in the role of Romeo. Aquatint attributed to "The Caricaturist General", 1812.

A lunatic in a barred cell imagines himself to be a leading actor in a melodrama. Etching by T.L. Busby, ca. 1826.

Mr. Alfred Wellesley as "Mrs Sinbad" in "Sinbad the sailor"

Dan Leno as "Mother Goose".

An episode in Samuel Foote's play The devil upon two sticks: the cobbler Emmanuel Last is examined for entry as a licentiate to the Royal College of Physicians by Dr Hellebore, the president of the college. Mezzotint by J. Finlayson after J. Zoffany, 1769.

Stress. 9, Stress and the actor / Roche Products Limited.

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Gus Garrick in drag as a pantomime dame.

Ernest Rees in character as an old lady.

Building: section through a theatre, half cutaway, showing timber roofing and interior fittings. Etching by H. Adlard, 1849, after S. H. Brooks.

George Robey in drag as the Queen of Hearts.

The amateur actor Robert Coates dreaming about his success on the stage in the role of Romeo. Aquatint attributed to "The Caricaturist General", 1812.

A lunatic in a barred cell imagines himself to be a leading actor in a melodrama. Etching by T.L. Busby, ca. 1826.

Mr. Alfred Wellesley as "Mrs Sinbad" in "Sinbad the sailor"

Dan Leno as "Mother Goose".

An episode in Samuel Foote's play The devil upon two sticks: the cobbler Emmanuel Last is examined for entry as a licentiate to the Royal College of Physicians by Dr Hellebore, the president of the college. Mezzotint by J. Finlayson after J. Zoffany, 1769.

Stress. 9, Stress and the actor / Roche Products Limited.

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

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