Heritage open Days - Sime Art Gallery - Special Event - The London Theatre- 1896-1898

Sidney Sime’s art whilst illustrating for the London magazines in 1896-1898 was prolific. He worked closely with editors and artists Jerome K Jerome, and Raven Hill and was admired for his theatrical caricatures accompanying Arnold Golsworthy, the renowned theatre critic.

We are focussing on the importance of these pictures for our Heritage. The Gallery has a display of 15 examples including Sarah Bernhardt, Henry Irving, Vesta Tilley, Dan Leno and Mrs Patrick Campbell. Many more examples are to be found in our archives along with over 800 drawings, paintings, books and letters by this extraordinary artist, Sidney Herbert Sime, Master of the Mysterious.

Sime’s artworks also include Scottish watercolours and oil landscapes and demonstrate the influence of Blake, Beardsley, Rackham, Hokusai and Hiroshige as well as his own remarkable style seen in the fantasy oil paintings. The variety and his fascinating life story are what gives Sime’s work such appeal.

Born in 1865 Sime’s life reads like a Victorian novel. He spent five long years labouring down the coal mines as a lad. He designed many stage sets for the London Theatre for his aristocratic Patron Lord Howard de Walden, and illustrated books for a wealthy Irish fantasy writer, Lord Dunsany. His delightful drawings of Bogey Beasts and musical collaboration with Joseph Holbrooke composer is now recorded. He lived in Worplesdon from 1904 -1941 and is buried in St Mary’s churchyard nearby.

Event Times

Friday 17 September: Gallery and Ta Ta café open: 14:00 - 16:00 Saturday 18 September: Gallery and Ta Ta cafe open: 10:00 – 16:00 Workshop: 11:00 - 12:00 Characters from the West End. An Art Workshop for 13-16year olds based on The London Theatre 1896-1898 with Cath Mirmak at the Sime Gallery. | 11:00 - 12:00 Talk in Sime Gallery ‘The London Scene’ 1896-1898 with Jan Messinger with reference to Sime's theatrical caricatures on display. Sunday 19 September: 14:00 - 14:30 Talk in the Sime Gallery 'Restoring the Theatrical Caricatures' with Artist and Conservator, Tim Dolby. | 14:30 - 15:30 Sime Heritage walk through Worplesdon and Whitmoor Common with Sara Scott and Martyn Parker.

Booking Details

Pre-booking: Required Call: 07415372620 Go to: http://www.sidneysimegallery.org.uk

Access

Full wheelchair access for talks/workshop The Gallery itself is not wheelchair accessible due to being upstairs.

COVID-19 Considerations

This event will run in line with local & national government guidelines at the time of the festival. All events and visit to GALLERY will follow Government guidelines with a full COVID risk assessment performed and social distancing, small groups and sanitisation available with masks expected to be worn in Gallery at time of completing this form.

Additional Information

Maximum number of people: 13 hourly in Gallery 10 for Heritage walk 8 for Workshop 30 for talks Refreshments in ‘Ta Ta’ café. This year will feature cakes and biscuits relating to places Sime lived eg Shortbread(Scotland)! The Arts Society Heritage Walk in conjunction with Sime Gallery promoted New 13-16 age group workshop Talks relating to the London Theatre and Music Halls in conjunction with illustrative artworks on display Celebrate the 80th Anniversary year of Sime’s death by visiting Surrey’s little gem in Worplesdon., with its new improved access and commemorative Banner. In conjunction with St Mary the Virgin Worplesdon. Contact for the day: 07415372620 Sime Gallery volunteer sidneysimegallery.org.uk

Directions

The Sime Gallery, Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Perry Hill, Worplesdon , Nr Guildford GU33RF. Bus stop outside Train station 40 minute walk Free car parking alongside in hall carpark

Organised by

Sime Gallery