Berkeley Sutcliffe.
[1952.] Design in pencil, ink and gouache to ivory paper; two original fabric swatches pinned to paper, 'The Property of Emile Littler' stamp. 382 x 280mm. 0.1kg. . Very good; slight creasing to paper, occasional pin-holes.
Robert Berkeley Sutcliffe (1918-1979) was a leading theatre designer of the mid-twentieth century, designing costumes and scenery for Shakespeare plays, revues, pantomimes and musicals. He bought to his creations a sense of colour, fun and the carnival. Concurrently with his theatre career, he was head designer at Fortnum and Mason, for whom he designed their famous clock. The present costume design is for a production of the musical Love From Judy, which premiered at the New Hippodrome, Coventry in 1952 before transferring to the Saville Theatre, London. The musical was directed by Charles Hickman, adapted from the book by Jean Webster and Eric Maschwitz, and with music by Hugh Martin. The story revolves around an orphan Judy, lifted out of poverty by a mysterious benefactor. Judy must write to her benefactor once a month. Over time the two fall in love.
This costume design for a lady's purple and white full-length dress is titled 'Chorus, D. 37'. The outfit was worn by Jean Konopasek in the Picnic scene. Two original fabric swatches of lilac satin and white spotted organza are pinned to the paper.
