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Past Display
Autograph presents a pop-up photography display at English Touring Theatre's new production of The Importance of Being Earnest, showcasing studio portraits depicting sitters of African, Caribbean and South Asian descent during the Victorian era in Britain.
The display is part of Black Chronicles – The Missing Chapter, an ongoing curatorial research programme led by Autograph, focused on unearthing nineteenth century photographs of black presences in Britain’s archives. The portraits offer a unique snapshot of black lives and experiences during the decades following the birth of photography in 1839. They portray a diverse range of people living and working in Britain at the time, from politicians to performers to service men and women. Many of these images lay buried deep within the archives for decades, unseen for more than 125 years.
In autumn 2023, Autograph will publish the Black Chronicles – The Missing Chapter book, featuring more than 200 photographic portraits from the 1850s – early 1900s, a majority published in print for the first time.
On the way into the theatre there is a pop-up display of Victorian photographic portraits... The Black Chronicles exhibition by London gallery Autograph is a good introduction to this staging of Oscar Wilde’s high-society comedy
The Guardian
The display can be seen alongside performances of The Importance of Being Earnest. Tickets can be booked on English Touring Theatre's website.
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Oscar Wilde's genius humour meets contemporary culture in a theatrical rollercoaster packed with shade, wit and plenty of gags. This is a classic satire, vibrantly retold about dysfunctional families, class, gender and sexuality.
2021 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award-winner, Denzel Westley-Sanderson breathes fresh new life into Wilde’s sharpest and wittiest comedy: The Importance of Being Earnest.
The Importance of Being Earnest is an ETT, Leeds Playhouse and Rose Theatre production supported by a grant from the RTST.
The Missing Chapter: Black Chronicles was supported by The Heritage Lottery Fund (2013–16).
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Banner image: Unidentified Sitter. Glasgow, date unknown. By T. W. Stephen. Courtesy of Autograph.
Display preview: 1) Unidentified Sitter. Redruth, Cornwall, C. 1867. Photographer: J. Moody. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. 2) Keshub Chunder Sen, Birmingham, 1870. Photographer: H.J. Whitlock. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. 3) Unidentified Sitter. Redruth, Cornwall, C. 1867. Photographer: J. Moody. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. 4) Maharaja Duleep Singh. London, circa 1864. Photographer: John Mayall. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. 5) Unidentified Sitter. London, date unknown. Photographer: H. Daubray. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. 6) Sargano Alicamousa. Aboyne, Scotland 1890s. Photographer: R. Milne. Courtesy of Autograph. Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.
About the play: Courtesy English Touring Theatre
Autograph is a place to see things differently. Since 1988, we have championed photography that explores issues of race, identity, representation, human rights and social justice, sharing how photographs reflect lived experiences and shape our understanding of ourselves and others.
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