Size 28" x 36"
Format Oil on Canvas
Signature Lower Right
Frame Not known
History of the painting
| Date | Auctioneer | Lot | Offer Price | Sale Price |
| 13 Oct 1994 | Christie's New York | 273 | $12,000-$18,000 | $27,600 |
| 3 Jun 1998 | Sotheby's London | 219 | £20,000-£30,000 | £28,750 |
Other observations
This painting is currently on display (owned?) by the Guarisco Gallery Washington and raised the second highest ever auction price for a Harry Brooker painting when it was auctioned in 1998. Only "Maths For Beginners 1902" has so far raised more (£33,000)..
Although there are five children in the painting, they are obviously not all of Harry's offspring as the eldest girl has black hair. It seems likely the audience seated on the bench in the order right to left are Ruth (8), another girl and then either Edwin (7) or Charles (5). An older girl (friend of Oswald?) has joined Oswald (10) to be the main actors in the performance.
The high chair to the left edge of the room has featured in a number of Harry Brooker's paintings. It was previously seen in Playing at Horse and Cart (1885) and Teatime (1889) and is seen in the following painting Helping Mama (1889) and Oranges and Lemons (1890).
The large earthenware jug is also a firm favourite featuring in at least 12 of Harry Brooker's paintings, this painting being one of the earliest in which it was seen. This jug also featured in Oranges and Lemons (1890) which was painted in the same year.
This painting has also been known as "Attic Antics".
The straw "boater" hat on the floor features in several paintings,
painted around this time. See next few pages.