Ah, the 1890s. The Mauve Decade. The Dreyfus affair, the
invention of the Kinetoscope, the two Franco-Dahomean Wars. We all remember
that, but if you recognise these things then you’re a true 1890s kid.
1. You knew that this was the height of fashion.
Olivia Vinall in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
2. And that this was how you should turn up to a
fancy dress party.
James McArdle in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
3. All the cool kids wore matching, beige,
two-piece pyjama suits.
Jade Williams and James McArdle in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
4. Except for that one friend who wore black all
the time.
Jade Williams in The Seagull. Photo by Johan Persson.
5. All of your parties were fuelled by gallons of
vodka…
James McArdle, Pip Carter and Joshua James in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
6. …and ended with somebody getting shot.
Olivia Vinall in Platonov.
Photo by Johan Persson.
7. Because sometimes it felt like nobody could keep
their hands to themselves.
Nina Sosanya, Olivia Vinall and Geoffrey Streatfeild in Ivanov. Photo by Johan Persson.
8. Instead of WhatsApp, you had a servant who would
walk 10 miles to deliver a message.
Beverley Klein in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
9. But there was always that one forest-dweller who
showed up and ruined your garden parties. Leave it out, Osip – amirite?
Jade Williams and Des McAleer in Platonov. Photo by Johan Persson.
10. You were so avant-garde, no matter what your mum thought. It’s not about showing life as it is, it’s about creating a world.
