Poster design for Drake

Buchel's painting depicts the moment when, after plundering Spanish ships, Drake's ship The Golden Hind returns to Deptford Quay. Drake and his wife Elizabeth Sydenham, played by Amy Brandon-Thomas, are shown embracing on the ship's deck, watched by a crowd on the quayside.

The artist Charles Buchel (1872-1950), born Karl August Büchel in Mainz, Germany, came to England as a child and studied at the Royal Academy Schools. He first worked for Beerbohm Tree in 1898, beginning a 16-year working association during which he painting portraits of Tree in character, designing posters and providing illustrations for the souvenir booklets which accompanied many of Tree's productions. Buchel became well known in theatrical circles and painted portraits of many leading actors of the day.

This image by Charles Buchel was reproduced on a poster for a regional tour of the production, managed by the author George Dance (1857-1932). Dance sometimes leased tours of his own productions to other theatre managers, but also had several touring companies of his own. He became one of the most successful touring managers in the early years of the 20th century.