Drawing

This is one of several theatrical drawings given by Sir William Ingram which were commissioned from contemporary artists to be printed in illustrated magazines. This pen and ink drawing by Pilotell illustrates several leading actors in the original production of Gillbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Mikado which opened at London's Savoy Theatre in March 1885. The fan-like shapes which act as frames for each vignette echo the Japanese theme of the opera, and the costumes worn by the characters are those designed by Wilhelm for the original production.