Alfred Ellis
n.d.
Arthur Roberts in the role of "Gentleman Joe"

Cabinet card
Paul Frecker
Paul Frecker provides the following comments:
 
"On 2 March 1895 Arthur Roberts began a long run at the Prince of Wales' Theatre as the eponymous hero of Basil Hood's musical comedy Gentleman Joe, the plot of which concerned a hansom-cab driver who nearly knocks down and then falls in love with a maid called Emily.
 
When Beerbohm Tree opened at the nearby Haymarket in a runaway success entitled Trilby (the eponymous heroine's headgear became a new fashion for men), Roberts introduced a short burlesque entitled The Trilby Triflet into his show, and was praised by The Times for his impersonation of Tree.
 
This portrait shows Roberts in a Newmarket overcoat, his hansom-cab license plate on his chest, hand outstretched for a tip."
 
The photographer is Alfred Ellis of 20 Upper Baker Street, London, whose backplate appears on the reverse, including the helpful information that the studio is located '20 doors north of Baker St. Station'.
 
LL/12056