Mock stage photo?

Something is nagging at me about this photo, like I should recognise the scene.

Pantomime Dame? Melodrama?

But no joy

 

Somebody died, or is about to be hanged, or beheaded, IMHO!!! Interesting satchel the one in black is clutching....

 

The seated woman looks like a widow who has gone to the convent. What a strange headpiece.

 

Very likely Juliet and her nurse.

Debora

 

Langfier, Ltd. did many portraits of show business personalities such as actresses, comics, music hall performances, etc.. as well as of royalty, Shakespeare actors to the Shakespeare Memorial National Memorial Theatre Ball of 1912 and of Herbert Hoover who would be the future 31st president of the USA. Langfier Ltd was founded by a Frenchman Langfier. It was active from 1899 to 1941. Following is a link to 4 pages of Langfier photos in the British National Portrait Gallery. Clicking the thumbnails enlargest the pic with info on the personalities. I quickly skimmed through a few pages and didn't see this particular photo. I think these women are doing scene from Shakespeare. At the moment not sure which one. Nowwww the 18th photo down on the 2nd page titled "Grace (née Blackburn), Countess of Wemyss as Katherine of Aragon" might??? be, again might be, the older woman in your pic.
http://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person?LinkID=mp61604&wPage=0

--- Susan

 

Susan, there is a distinct resemblance to Grace.

Debora, you may well have got the answer!

Thank you!

Juliet looks a bit like Evelyn Millard?

 

Looks like the same gown. And both Millard and Waller performed in ROMEO & JULIET.

Debora

 

In which case it looks like thenurse is Mary Rorke!

 

So, the nurse is wearing a sporran and animal* ears.

*mystery animal

 

Kind of looks like Robin Williams/Mrs. Doubtfire!!

 

Yes, @Fish!

i was wondering if that was a man under those fake ringlets?

 

I don't think it's intended to be animal ears... but it is very unusual. I've just been looking at photos of Juliet and her nurse from various stage productions. The headdress style is not established, and has varied quite a bit.

Here is one from the Folger Shakespeare Library's digital collections. The actress is Adelaide Neilson, who was well known for her portrayal of Juliet in the 19th century. Her costume does not appear very Juliet-like but since this comes from the Folger, I'll take their word for it.

http://luna.folger.edu/luna/servlet...11~119498:-Adelaide--Neilson--as-Juliet,--Mrs

I also own a photo that is a different pose of the same two actresses:

 

Beautiful photo!

 

Kind of looks like Robin Williams/Mrs. Doubtfire!!

Too funny! So it does!

 

Now listed for sale with a thanks to Antiquers:
"We are indebted to Antiquers for identifying the play (Shakespeare, Romeo & Juliet) and the actresses involved"

Take a bow

 

The nurse's hat/cap looks a little like a Dutch or Belgium traditional lace hat that has been squeezed down by the cloak's hood.

--- Susan

 

I spent an hour trying different word combinations to try to describe that cap!

Needless to say, I failed!

 

I think the nurse's cap may be a version of a type of Renaissance headwear adapted to Edwardian fashion sensibilities. (See 3rd row left.) And, unlike the nurse in the Adelaide Neilson photograph who wears a chatelaine, she's accessorized with a reticule.

Debora

 

Good find, Debora -- I knew there was something from the Renaissance that looked similar, but couldn't remember what it was.