Queuing For The Gallery At The Strand Theatre London c.1900 Original Signed & Titled Watercolour Drawing

Watercolours over pencil on art board, titled in lower right corner in pencil “Strand Theatre London” with an indistinct signature beneath (J.K. Dunning??). A lively and evocative drawing showing a queue at the side entrance of the theatre waiting to enter the door for the cheaper gallery seats. All have their best clothes on, a chap has bought his own seat and is reading his newspaper, a hawker can’t seem to interest anyone with his wares and a couple of bobbies are ready for any trouble to break out! Undated, though the style of dress and the label on the reverse of the board would suggest c.1900. 

Approx. 265x185mm., some yellowing/toning and old mount lines present where removed from a frame. A lovely piece of West End theatre history