Ceramics: M0187

Title

Charley's Aunt figure

Technique

Porcelain

Subject

Penley, William Sydney

Artist

Royal DoultonToft, Albert

Dimensions

height: 18.5cm
width: 10cm
depth: 9.5cm

Inscription/signature

Mr W. S. Penley as Charley’s Aunt
Royal Doulton

Provenance

Bequested by Hugh Wonter in 2011.

This figurine shows William Sydney Penley (1852-1912), usually known as W.S. Penley, in the farce 'Charley's Aunt' by Brandon Thomas, which opened at London's Royalty Theatre in December 1892. He plays Lord Fancourt Babberley, or 'Babbs', disguised as Donna Lucia d’Alvadorez, the aunt from Brazil. This was one of his most famous parts ever played. The first figurine was made especially for Brandon Thomas; this model was likely introduced by Doulton in 1914, and two other versions were made but all were withdrawn by 1938.