The woman who inspired LS Lowry visits The Lowry
The woman who inspired LS Lowry visits The Lowry
Six Characters in Search of an Author
The Lowry, Wed 31 October – Sat 10 November 2007 Press night: Wed 31 October, 7.45pm
The woman who inspired LS Lowry’s portrait Little GirlSeen From Front and Back (1964) will be reunited with the painting when she visits The Lowry on Fri 9 November. She is also coming to see Lowry’s favourite play, Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Pirandello, which inspired the artist to create the painting.
Gill Gostling was 14 and at stage school when she took part in Six Characters in Search of an Author (1963) at The Mayfair Theatre, London. At the time she had no idea Lowry was in the audience and she was to be the subject of his painting the following year. Now a retired secretary, Gill explained: “I remember the production was very intense. We had to sit still and say nothing for long periods of time, but it was a thrill to be on stage alongside Sir Ralph Richardson.”
Through an article in the Daily Telegraph in 1970, Gill discovered that Lowry had become captivated by the play and had sketched her from the audience on his many visits. On a visit to The Lowry four years ago she saw the painting for the first time. Miss Gosling commented: “I was amazed to see the painting. It does have a look of me but it’s definitely not like looking in a mirror “
Lowry went to see Six Characters in Search of an Author nine times and this is why The Lowry has chosen to produce it. He said, “This play was different…it mesmerised me”.
Six Characters in Search of an Author will be performed by local up-and-coming talent (Wed 31 Oct - Sat 10 Nov) as part of The Lowry’s autumn season of plays inspired by the surroundings, culture and history of Salford.
Originally written in a burst of creative energy over five days in 1921 Six Characters in Search of an Author was performed in England the following year. Pirandello described the work as ‘A play in the making’. The performance introduces a company of actors who have their rehearsal interrupted when a strange family arrives. Claiming to be characters from an unwritten play, they insist that they be given life and implore the company to record their tragedy.
Posted on Wednesday, 31 October 2007 under Press