A PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM OF GILBERT AND SULLIVAN CHARACTERS - 1922 - 1924

by GEORGE COOK

Introduction

This is the third group of photographs which comes from the arrchives of George Cook (1883 - 1968). The collection he put together and annotated from a series of performances by the Leicester Amateur Dramatic Society of "HMS Pinafore"and "Trial By Jury" at the Leicester Opera House in March 1922 were mounted in an album which now appear elsewhere.

The following photographs were unmounted although some of them were rendered as postcards. Some are signed by the subject. Some bear the legend "Fisher and Potter, Leicester" embossed in one corner; others "Ramsden of Granby Street".

PIRATES OF PENZANCE (1924)

Four portraits of the principal characters. "Mabel" is annotated but unsigned.

"Mabel"	"Ruth" Edith Lawrence

"Frederic" George Cook	"A Modern Major General" Arthur B Talbot

THE GONDOLIERS

These are two lovely colourised full plate photographs of George Cook playing the role of "Marco". The year of the production has not been established.

"Frederic - Gondolier" Act I	"Frederic - King of Barataria" Act II

THE MIKADO (1923)

Four more pictures from the Leicester Amateurs Gilbert and Sullivan production. The photograph of "Katisha" is signed Carrie H.; G.W. Clark played "Pooh-Bah"

"Nanki-Poo serenades Yum-Yum"	"Katisha"

"Pooh-Bah"	"Pish-Tush

PATIENCE / RUDDIGORE

Two remaining photographs. We are not entirely certain of the provenance of these two pictures but scrutiny of contemporary costumes and props used in professional and other amateur productions have suggested the following identifications. Again we have no year for these productions.

George Cook as (?) "The Duke of Dunstable" with "Patience" the milkmaid 'Patience'	"Rose Maybud" 'Ruddigore'

Album provided by Brenda Eldridge; Transcribed by Alan D Craxford. December 14th 2005

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