'The Establishment' cast (John Fortune; Eleanor Bron; John Bird; Jeremy Geidt)

Sittersback to top

• John Bird (1936-), Comedian. Sitter associated with 3 portraits.
• Eleanor Bron (1938-), Actress and writer. Sitter associated with 5 portraits.
• John Fortune (1939-), Actor-director. Sitter in 2 portraits.
• Jeremy Geidt, Actor, comedian and children's television presenter. Sitter in 1 portrait.

Artistback to top

• Lewis Morley (1925-), Photographer. Artist of 301 portraits, Sitter in 5 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The Establishment Club was the first satirical nightclub in London, co-founded and run by Peter Cook. Open from 1961 to 1964, it had a big impact on British comedy, particularly political satire. The four performers shown here, John Fortune (b.1939), Eleanor Bron (b.1934), John Bird (b.1936) and Jeremy Geidt, were the Club's original cast, key figures in comedy at the time. It was at the Establishment Club that Barry Humphries first performed as Edna Everage, and Frankie Howerd revived his career.
Morley rented rooms above the Establishment Club premises at 18 Greek street in Soho and became the 'semi-official' photographer of the satire boom.

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

• Comedians: From the 1940s to now (17 September 2011 - 8 January 2012)

Subjects & Themesback to top

• Bodelwyddan Castle
• Group portraits