{"product_id":"a-framed-group-of-1930s-theatrical-photographs-chu-chin-chow-birmingham-1935","title":"A Framed Group of 1930s Theatrical Photographs – Chu Chin Chow, Birmingham 1935","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMarjorie Tarsh as Zahrat in  \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChu Chin Chow\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e, Birmingham Operatic Society, 1935\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn original framed photographic record of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMarjorie Tarsh appearing as Zahrat in Birmingham Operatic Society’s 1935 production of Chu Chin Chow\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe display comprises six original black-and-white photographs mounted together, showing Tarsh both in individual costume studies and in scenes from the production. The mount is titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Marjorie Tarsh as Zahrat”\u003c\/span\u003e, with the name \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHarvey Thomas\u003c\/span\u003e below and a photographic studio credit at the lower right for \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSparkhill, Birmingham\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary newspaper reports allow the photographs to be placed firmly within their original theatrical context. In March 1935 the Birmingham press reported on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBirmingham Operatic Society’s production of Chu Chin Chow\u003c\/span\u003e, Oscar Asche and Frederic Norton’s spectacular musical play. The production was extensively reported locally, providing contemporary evidence for the performance represented by the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFirst produced at His Majesty’s Theatre, London, in 1916, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eChu Chin Chow\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e had proved an extraordinary theatrical success. Written and produced by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eOscar Asche\u003c\/span\u003e, with music by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFrederic Norton\u003c\/span\u003e, it was based loosely upon the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves and became particularly noted for its elaborate sets, large cast and richly conceived costumes. It continued to be revived by professional and amateur operatic companies long after its original London run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe photographs record Marjorie Tarsh in the role of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eZahrat\u003c\/span\u003e, and show something of the scale and visual character of the Birmingham production, including elaborate costumes and several group and dramatic scenes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFurther contemporary newspaper research provides some biographical information about Tarsh herself. In \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJuly 1935\u003c\/span\u003e, only a few months after the production, the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBirmingham Daily Gazette\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e reported her wedding. The report identifies \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMiss Marjorie Tarsh\u003c\/span\u003e and records her marriage to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMr Joseph Samuel\u003c\/span\u003e, providing independent contemporary confirmation of her identity and placing her within Birmingham society at precisely the period represented by the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTarsh came from Birmingham’s Jewish community, as did her husband, and the contemporary wedding report records the marriage within that community. This provides an additional piece of social history to a display which otherwise survives principally as a record of a local theatrical production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe survival of the photographs together on their original titled mount is particularly useful, retaining the identification of both performer and character rather than leaving the individuals in the photographs anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe photographs remain in their original arrangement within a simple black frame. There is staining, discolouration, minor losses and general age-related wear to the mount and wear to the frame, all consistent with age and clearly visible in the photographs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMeasuring: 78 cm wide \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e55 cm tell\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBirmingham, 1935.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rob Hall Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48141799456933,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1151\/3980\/files\/IMG_9173.jpg?v=1786640743","url":"https:\/\/robhallantiques.com\/products\/a-framed-group-of-1930s-theatrical-photographs-chu-chin-chow-birmingham-1935","provider":"Rob Hall Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}