Play puts Fred and Mary in frame
Production tells the story of town’s married artists and gives overshadowed wife a turn in the limelight
A LITTLE-KNOWN tale of Beverley’s best-known artists is to be brought to new life with a theatre production shining a light on their lives and work.
Fred and Mary Elwell were both accomplished artists in the early 20th century, but while Fred is remembered as a ‘best loved son’ Mary is often overshadowed in history.
Now, an ensemble has been formed for Paint the Town Fred to share the finer details of a tale, featuring love and passion and mystery as it unravels their personal story. Gordon Meredith was commissioned to research, write and produce the play, working with gallery curators and biographers to delve deeper into history.
He said: “The Elwells were a couple who were both accomplished artists in their own right.
“They are very well known in the East Riding. If you speak to people in Beverley, they know about Fred but they might say of Mary ‘was she his wife?’
“We thought ‘let’s put it on stage’, and help bring their story to life.”
The Elwells, both born in the 1870s, had lived a “bohemian” lifestyle in Edwardian society in their prime, but were to fall from fashion over time.
Fred, who had been trained with some of the greats of Paris at the Antwerp Academy and then Académie Julian, was seen as more of a traditionalist in style.
His paintings were described by critics as “nice”, said Mr Meredith. That, he believes, was because Mr Elwell was in need of an income, pursuing portraiture to keep him afloat.
Mary, meanwhile, had an income from supportive uncles, and an older husband who commissioned Fred to capture her likeness. The three had become great friends, and when Mary’s husband died she married Fred – enabling them both to pursue their artistic passions.
Mr Meredith said: “They were free, to paint, to travel, to have parties, and to live this bohemian, Edwardian life. Their story is about equality. “Fred’s legacy in particular is the paintings that he was passionate about. “They are a snapshot of Beverley from the 1900s to the 1950s.
“Each a time capsule of the town. “He is seen as a great son of Beverley, that everyone is fond of and proud.”
Over recent years, much has been done to celebrate the works of the Elwells, with an outdoor trail and exhibitions.
This play, latest in a series of Folk Theatre productions, was commissioned with funding from East Riding Council’s museums service, Arts Council England, and the Humber Museums Partnership.
Mr Meredith worked closely with Helena Cox, former curator of Beverley Art Gallery, and biographer Wendy Loncaster to recreate the Elwells’ story.
He hopes it can shine new light on untold tales.
He said: “History is written on stories about great men, it’s the great women behind them that we don’t hear about.
We thought ‘let’s put it on stage’, and help bring their story to life.
Gordon Meredith who was commissioned to research, write and produce the play.