Young Mo, Nimrod

Martin Sharp established a strong reputation for the originality and impact of his graphics whilst living in London during the 1960s, where he designed psychedelic posters and album covers for musicians and bands including Bob Dylan and Cream. Returning to Australia in 1972, he became more widely-known in Sydney for his establishment of The Yellow House artist's collective in Kings Cross, his role in the restoration of Luna Park and for his passionate championing of US singer Tiny Tim.

During the 1970s and 1980s Sharp was commissioned to design posters for Sydney's Nimrod Theatre. The latter, founded in 1970 by John Bell, Richard Wherrett and Ken Horler acquired a reputation during the 1970s as a home for exciting and innovative drama by a new generation of Australian playwrights.

First published individually during this period, this poster and six others were reprinted as a set in 1982 as a fund-raiser for the theatre. Six of the posters were designed to promote productions, while another was created to mark the 10th anniversary of Nimrod's establishment as a theatre. For this 1982 (second) edition of the posters, new stencils were made and the posters were printed on higher quality paper than the original print run. Sharp also created sets and costumes for a number of Nimrod productions but is best known for the posters he produced.

In this poster 'Young Mo, Nimrod' originally designed to promote the play 'Young Mo' by Steve J Spears (1977), directed by Richard Wherrett, Sharp has combined the features of lead actor Garry McDonald with those of 'Mo' - the subject of his role in the play as Roy Rene (Mo MacCackie). The image became more widely known, following its adoption as Nimrod's 'official face'. Mo and Roy Rene were stage names used by comedian Henry van der Sluys (1892-1954). During 1916-25 in a vaudeville duo 'Stiffy and Mo' with Nat Phillips (1883-1932), Henry van der Sluys adopted a white face and painted black beard; also starring in a popular 1940s Australian radio series 'McCackie Mansions'.