The Fun Library, vol. 8: Stage, Study & Studio

A lively parade of pen‑and‑ink sketches captures the quirky world of London’s artistic bohemia at the turn of the twentieth century. From bustling theatre rehearsals to the cramped studios where painters and writers tussle over inspiration, the illustrations poke gentle fun at the eccentric habits of actors, authors, and the ever‑watchful artist who prefers landscapes to live models.

The collection gathers the wit of celebrated cartoonists such as Du Maurier, Keene, Phil May and many of their contemporaries, each rendering the theatrical backstage, the studious drawing‑room, and the bustling studio with a blend of affection and satire. Readers will enjoy spotting recurring characters—hamlet‑obsessed thespians, flamboyant critics, and the self‑portraiting artist—while the captions add a playful narrative thread.

With its rich visual archive stretching from the era of Cruikshank to the modern humorists of the 1920s, this volume offers a charming glimpse into a bygone artistic community, all presented with the light‑hearted spirit that defines The Fun Library series.