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Theatre-Royal actors as Falstaff and Bardolph

Kay, John, 1789, Etching
Theatre-Royal actors as Falstaff and Bardolph
Theatre-Royal actors as Falstaff and Bardolph
Theatre-Royal actors as Falstaff and Bardolph
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Category
Library Item
Item no
13506
Title
Mr Henderson and Mr Chateris, of the Theatre-Royal, Edinburgh, in the characters of Sir John Falstaff and Bardolph
Description
On the left stands a rotund figure wearing elaborate period costume including a ruffled collar, a distinctive tall headdress with feathers, a pleated skirt, cross-body straps or bandoliers, and boots. This figure holds a long staff or musket and has a jovial, smiling expression.

On the right is a much smaller, slender figure dressed in a tricorn hat, fitted coat with buttons, breeches, and buckled shoes. This person also holds a staff or walking stick and has an inflamed nose.

At the bottom of the image there is text that appears to be dialogue, beginning with "Why, Sir John, my face does you no harm..." which indicates that this is a play of a Shakespeare work given the "Sir John" reference.
Artist / maker
Date
1789
Size
17.5 x 15.5 cm
Type
Location
Edinburgh and Scottish Collection
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