{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1175082"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1175082/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LK6080/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2019LK6080/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2019LK6080","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK6081","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK6082","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK6083","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK6084","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2019LK6085","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O1175082/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1175082","accessionNumber":"S.2725:1 to 3-2010","objectType":"Theatre costume","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Henry Irving (1838-1905) wore this costume in the title role of his 1899 production of the play <i>Robespierre</i>, by Victorien Sardou (1831-1908).  Set in 1794 the play focuses on the historical figure of Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794), but otherwise is a work of fiction.  It was produced on a spectacular scale, with a cast of 69 actors and over 100 extras to make up the crowd scenes.\r\n\r\nIrving became a professional actor in 1856, and learned his trade in regional theatres until 1866, when he came to London.  He joined the Lyceum Theatre company under the management of H. L. Bateman in 1871, winning great acclaim that year for his psychologically developed characterisation of the guilt-ridden inn-keeper Mathias in Leopold Lewis's melodrama <i>The Bells</i>.  He achieved the status of 'actor-manager' in 1878 when he assumed the management of the Lyceum, and remained there until 1902, enjoying star status with his leading lady Ellen Terry (1847-1928).   Irving produced a diverse range of old and new plays at the Lyceum, including Shakespeare, historical drama, and literary adaptations.  His tireless work to elevate the status of the theatrical profession was rewarded in 1895 when he became the first actor ever to receive a knighthood for services to the Theatre.\r\n\r\nIrving specialised in spectacularly staged productions with large casts of performers. He commissioned designers and composers to create appropriate scenery, costume and incidental music, played by a full orchestra.  Although electric lighting was available from the 1880s, Irving preferred the softer effects of gas, with lime light to focus attention at key points in the play.  Irving toured complete productions outside London, taking the full company, scenery and costumes throughout the United Kingdom and across the United States and Canada.   The development of the railway system made his the first generation able to achieve this level of touring productions.","physicalDescription":"Costume consisting of:\r\nTail coat, golden brown wool, black velvet collar, black buttons and white linen ruffles tacked at cuffs. Nathan's label in collar.\r\nWaistcoat, black velvet ribbon and silk alternating horizontal bands, double-breasted, with wide lapels. 13 pairs of buttons. Two working pockets in the front pocket.\r\nBrown wool, fall front, knee breeches. Not a complete match with coat (although very close). Wide brown ribbons at knee.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"L. & H. Nathan Ltd","id":"A12566"},"association":{"text":"makers","id":"AAT251917"},"note":"frock coat"}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"wool (textile)","id":"AAT243430"},{"text":"velvet","id":"AAT133711"},{"text":"linen (material)","id":"AAT14069"}],"techniques":[{"text":"sewing","id":"AAT53658"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Theatre costume","id":"THES268477"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2019LK6080","2019LK6081","2019LK6082","2019LK6083","2019LK6084","2019LK6085"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES366815"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES366815"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""},{"current":{"text":"001","id":"THES366815"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"frock coats","id":"AAT46146"}],[{"text":"theatre costume","id":""}],[{"text":"waistcoat","id":""}],[{"text":"theatre costume","id":""}],[{"text":"theatre costumes","id":"x47007"}],[{"text":"breeches (trousers)","id":"AAT46135"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""},{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Great Britain","id":"x32019"},"association":{"text":"worn","id":"x34724"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1899","earliest":"1899-01-01","latest":"1899-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by the Royal Shakespeare Company","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Length","value":"114","unit":"cm","qualifier":"From back of neck to hem of tails","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Frock coat","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"44","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Across shoulders","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Frock coat","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"44","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Across chest","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Frock coat","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"58","unit":"cm","qualifier":"From back of neck to hem","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Waistcoat","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"41","unit":"cm","qualifier":"Across shoulders","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Waistcoat","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"79","unit":"cm","qualifier":"From waist to hem at side","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"Breeches","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"'L & H Nathan / Court & Theatrical / Costumiers / 17 Coventry Street, Piccadilly Circus / London, W'.","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"label in frock coat"}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Theatrical ensemble of frock coat, waistcoat and breeches, worn by Sir Henry Irving in 'Robespierre' by V. Sardou, 1899","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"Holmes, Martin. <i>Stage Costumes and Accessories in the London Museum</i>. London : HMSO, 1968","id":"AUTH357874"},"details":"no.165","free":""}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.2725:1-2010","S.2725:2-2010","S.2725:3-2010"],"accessionNumberNum":"2725","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2010,"otherNumbers":[{"type":{"text":"Museum of London number","id":"THES55722"},"number":"56.4/12a to c"}],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE","frock coat","waistcoat","breeches"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-02-09","recordCreationDate":"2010-11-03","availableToBook":true}}