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

1 of 2 portraits of John Fortune

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© Lewis Morley Archive/ The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

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

by Lewis Morley
toned bromide print, 1960s
11 1/2 in. x 15 in. (291 mm x 380 mm)
Given by Lewis Morley, 1989
Photographs Collection
NPG x125249

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Artistback to top

  • Lewis Morley (1925-2013), Photographer. Artist or producer of 308 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.

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Events of 1960back to top

Current affairs

Prince Andrew is born, the third child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.
The Contraceptive Pill is introduced in England, dramatically changing the nation's approach to sex and relationships, and significantly contributing to the 1960s culture of liberation.

Art and science

Penguin books defend D.H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover against charges of obscenity by demonstrating that the novel was of literary merit. The 'not guilty' verdict was seen as a victory for free speech and marked the beginning if a new era of liberalism.
The satirical revue Beyond the Fringe launches the careers of Alan Bennett, Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Jonathan Miller.

International

Harold Macmillan delivers his 'wind of change' speech to the South African Parliament in Cape Town, announcing Britain's decision to grant independence to many of her colonies. The speech recognised the emergence of African nationalism, and criticised the policy of Apartheid in South Africa.

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