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Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh in The Cingalee
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Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh in The Cingalee
Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh in The Cingalee, or Sunny Ceylon, a musical play about tea planters in Ceylon (Sri Lanka), which opened at Dalys Theatre, London, in 1904.
circa 1904
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Media ID 23045830
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
Blacked Blacking Ceylon Daly Dalys Gracie Huntley Lanka Leigh Makeup Performance Planters Skin Sunny Wright Musical
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the essence of Huntley Wright and Gracie Leigh in their iconic roles as leading actors in the Edwardian musical play, 'The Cingalee' or 'Sunny Ceylon,' which premiered at Daly's Theatre in London in 1904. The play, set in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), told the story of tea planters and their lives in the exotic colonial setting. In this image, Huntley Wright, with his chiseled jawline and piercing gaze, dons blackface makeup, a common theatrical convention of the time for portraying non-white characters. Gracie Leigh, a talented actress, is seen alongside him, her delicate features framed by a flowing white costume and a demure expression. The intricate details of their elaborate costumes and the dimly lit stage add to the allure of this evocative scene from the production. The use of blackface in 'The Cingalee' is a reminder of the complex and often problematic history of racial representation in theatre during the early 1900s. Despite this, the photograph remains a fascinating glimpse into the past, showcasing the captivating performances and theatrical innovation of the time.
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