Drawing
Can I see it?
Not on view at present
Where is “Drawing” now? Collection: Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Not on view at present. Checked September 25, 2026.
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
An ink and watercolour drawing by 'Kyd' of the actor/manager Sir Henry Irving (1838-1905) as Bill Sikes in a production of Oliver Twist. The sketchi is not dated but is likely to have been drawn in circa 1868.
Irving appeared as Bill Sikes in a version of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, dramatised by John Oxenford with music by Mr Wallerstein, at the Queen's Theatre, Long Acre, in April 1868. As well as J.L. Toole (1830-1906) as the Artful Dodger, the cast included Nellie Moore as Nancy.
Read on
The earliest dramatised version of Dickens' 1837 novel was produced at London's Surrey Theatre in 1838. Several versions appeared in the intervening 30 years, many more successful than this one, which didn't please the first-night audience, although it still ran until July. Toole's performance as the Dodger however impressed one critic with its 'real artistic capability'. Irving's Sikes was noted for its 'almost terrible earnestness' and 'intensity of expression', characteristics of his acting which later made him a star.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Details
- Accession number
- S.910-2012
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
