Ballet, theatre and opera related items from a single owner collection
23 April 2021 The theatre, ballet and opera were just three of the many interests of a well-known art collecting couple.
A plaster bust of Julius Caesar which was a prop from the 1970 film 'Julius Caesar', modelled on Sir John Gielgud who played the leading role. The film set was designed by Julia Trevelyan Oman. It is offered with an estimate of £200-300.
Sir Roy Strong (b.1935), the English art historian, museum curator, writer and broadcaster, and his late wife the television, theatre, ballet and opera set designer Julia Trevelyan Oman Lady Strong (1930-2003) collected a wide variety of art and antiques.
Sir Roy served as director of both the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum while Julia worked with the BBC and the Glyndebourne Festival, the National Theatre, the Royal Opera House and the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Now auction house Chorley’s is offering part of their collection of paintings, antiques, works of art, costume design, theatre design and photographs. The collection was an important part of their “exquisite home which boasted one of the most beautiful private gardens in the country”, says Chorley’s.
The auction is called: ‘Collections from The Laskett, property of Sir Roy Strong’ and it take place on April 27-28.
Here are five ballet and theatre related items coming up for auction on April 27.
1. Design for Rudolf Nureyev’s costume for The Nutcracker
A sketch of Rudolf Nureyev’s costume for The Nutcracker at The Royal Opera House in 1968 by artist Nicholas Georgiadis estimated at £800-1200.
Among the numerous stage and costume designs in the sale is this Rudolf Nureyev’s costume for The Nutcracker at The Royal Opera House in 1968 by artist Nicholas Georgiadis. It is guided at £800-1200.
2. Design for costume for Vaslav Nijinsky in Scheherazade
An etching by Arthur Grunenberg (c.1880s-1952) for the design of the costume for Vaslav Nijinsky as Tanzender Mohr in Scheherazade estimated at £30-50.
An etching by Arthur Grunenberg (c.1880s-1952) for the design of the costume for Vaslav Nijinsky as Tanzender Mohr in Scheherazade. The sketch is estimated at £30-50 at the Chorley’s sale.
3. Photograph
A photo featuring Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-80) and the ballet critic Richard Buckle with Sir Roy Strong. It is estimated at £200-300.
This photo features Sir Cecil Beaton (1904-80) and the ballet critic Richard Buckle with Sir Roy Strong and behind him Joe Predera, Buckle's assistant, in the landmark exhibition of Beaton Portraits at the National Portrait Gallery in the autumn of 1968. The photo is inscribed 'A Snap' 'For Roy - from Cecil'. It is estimated at £200-300.
4. Costume design for Turandot
A sketch by designer Stefanos Lazaridis (1942-2010) for a projected production of Turandot estimated at £200-300.
This sketch is by designer Stefanos Lazaridis (1942-2010) for a projected production of Turandot. It is estimated at £200-300.
5. Costume design for Catherine de' Medici
A triple costume design for Catherine de' Medici in 'Vivat, Vivat Regina', by Julia Trevelyan Oman estimated at £250-350.
This triple costume design for Catherine de' Medici in 'Vivat, Vivat Regina', by Robert Bolt is by Julia Trevelyan Oman (1930-2003) and is signed and dated 1970. Bolt's celebrated play was to have been directed by Peter Hall and its original title was Remarkable Women.
However the author and director fell out and the play was eventually staged as Vivat, Vivat Regina and directed by Peter Dews with Carl Toms as the designer. This watercolour is estimated at £250-350.
