{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O86961"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O86961/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK9289/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006AK9289/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"low","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006AK9289","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O86961","accessionNumber":"S.131:47-2002","objectType":"Caricature","titles":[{"title":"Robertson Hare in <i>Aren't Men Beasts</i>","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"This caricature shows Robertson Hare (1891-1979) as Herbert Holly in <i>Aren't Men Beasts!</i> at the Oxford New Theatre on 8 Feb 1937.  It was drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976), a rehearsal pianist and orchestral violinist at the Brighton Theatre Royal from 1932 until 1936, and at the Oxford New Theatre from 1936 for over forty years.  Sommerlad sketched the stars on stage when he wasn't needed in the orchestra pit, compiling the sketches in a series of albums.\r\n\r\n<i>Aren't Men Beasts!</i> by Vernon Sylvaine opened at the Strand Theatre in May 1936 and was later advertised as 'the farcical comedy that has made history'.  J. Robertson Hare began his stage career in 1911 and by 1937 was especially well known from his roles in the Aldwych and Strand farces, and the film versions made of them.  In 1966 he starred with Derek Nimmo and William Mervyn in the BBC sitcom <i>All Gas and Gaiters</i>, frequently using his catch-phrase 'Oh, calamity!'.","physicalDescription":"Pencil caricature by of Robertson Hare in <i>Aren't Men Beasts</i>, New Theatre Oxford, 8 Feb 1937. From a hard-backed sketch book containing caricatures of theatrical performers and entertainers drawn by Gilbert Sommerlad.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Sommerlad, Gilbert","id":"A5980"},"association":{"text":"artist","id":"AAT25103"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"pencil","id":"x30347"},{"text":"paper","id":"x30308"},{"text":"ink","id":"AAT15012"}],"techniques":[{"text":"drawn","id":"x30545"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Pencil and ink on paper","categories":[{"text":"Drawings","id":"THES48966"},{"text":"Caricatures & Cartoons","id":"THES48983"},{"text":"Entertainment & Leisure","id":"THES48959"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":["2006AK9289"],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"008","id":"THES356599"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"caricatures","id":"AAT15634"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Oxford","id":"x31203"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"8 February 1937","earliest":"1937-02-08","latest":"1937-02-08"},"association":{"text":"dated","id":"AAT54714"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Michael Sommerlad","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"All good wishes Robertson Hare","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Pen and ink inscription by Robertson Hare"},{"content":"\"AREN'T MEN BEASTS\" NEW THEATRE OXFORD FEB 8th 1937","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"Pencil inscription by Gilbert Sommerlad."}],"objectHistory":"Gilbert Sommerlad was a member of the resident orchestra at the New Theatre, Oxford when he drew this caricature.","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Pencil caricature by Gilbert Sommerlad (1904-1976) of Robertson Hare in <i>Aren't Men Beasts!</i>, New Theatre Oxford, 8 Feb 1937.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[{"text":"Hare, Robertson","id":"N3304"}],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.131:47-2002"],"accessionNumberNum":"131","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2002,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-03-24","recordCreationDate":"2003-12-09","availableToBook":true}}