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G1248
Paintings: G1248
Title
Miss Fairbrother and Mrs Keeley in 'Open Sesame, or, A Night with the forty thieves'
Subject
Fairbrother, Sarah Louisa
Artist
Date
1844
Dimensions
height: 62.5cm
width: 47cm
depth: 2.5cm
width: 47cm
depth: 2.5cm
Other materials
Oil on canvas
Inscription/signature
"Miss Fairbrother and Miss Wright/ in Alladin by Clint"
Provenance
Donated the Garrick Club by Keith Cavers December 2022.
Despite the inscription, this painting actually depicts Miss Fairbrother and Mrs Keeley in a burlesque called 'Open Sesame, or, A Night with the Forty Thieves', which was written by A. A. a Beckett and Mark Lemon. Its opening night was the 13th of April 1844, at the Lyceum and was advertised as "The thorough-bred Arabian, Racy, and extravaganza in two acts". It featured the Polka which is the dance that is being depicted in this painting. Miss Fairbrother had the breeches role of Abdallah and Mrs Keeley, had the role of Morgiana. The show was the first play performed at the Lyceum under Mrs Keeley's sole managment, and ran for three months. It was followed by 'Aladdin, or, The Wonderful Lamp', which is perhaps where the confusion in the insription lies. But in Aladdin, Mrs Keeley took on the breeches role.
