‘Electric lamp for stage effects’
Date
1893
Creator - Organisation
Drew & Company, Printer
After
W M B, Artist
Object type
Library reference
56882
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (painting): 105mm
width (painting): 90mm
width (painting): 90mm
Subject
Description
Portrait of the Fairy Queen from an Oscar Barrett production of The Forty Thieves pantomime at the Crystal Palace, 1892. The costume includes a wand and head-dress illuminated by electric lights powered by portable ‘lithanode’ batteries concealed in the costume at the performer’s back
Figure 59 from the book Portative electricity by J T Niblett (London, 1893).
The plate is titled “Electric Lamp for Stage Effects” and inscribed “W.M.B. DREW & Co.“
The first costume stage lighting of this type was used at the Savoy Theatre in a Richard D’Oyly Carte production of Iolanthe in 1882. The then-novel electric lights were pioneered by Sir Joseph Swan FRS (1828-1914) and were the origin of the term ‘fairy lights’.
Figure 59 from the book Portative electricity by J T Niblett (London, 1893).
The plate is titled “Electric Lamp for Stage Effects” and inscribed “W.M.B. DREW & Co.“
The first costume stage lighting of this type was used at the Savoy Theatre in a Richard D’Oyly Carte production of Iolanthe in 1882. The then-novel electric lights were pioneered by Sir Joseph Swan FRS (1828-1914) and were the origin of the term ‘fairy lights’.
Associated place