Painting

This watercolour is the earliest detailed view of a theatre interior designed by the noted architect Charles J. Phipps. It was executed by Phipps for J.H. Chute in 1867 and illustrates the innovative nature of his theatre interiors at this date. It incorporates a figurative panel in the deep entablature above the proscenium opening, and this and the continuation of the front of the gallery tier on a continuous horizontal line, were features of the architectural handling of both the New Theatre Royal Bristol and the Queen's Theatre, Long Acre, London, deriving from Phipps's familiarity with the Vaudeville Theatre, Paris.