One of Walter Sickert's favorite subjects was the music hall and several of his most famous works depict the Old and New Bedford Theatres.

Stemming from his friendship with Degas, Walter Sickert returned time and again to this theme. Although attracted to the actors and actresses of his day, and the events on stage, Sickert also gave particular attention to the audience.

A Box at the New Bedford Theatre is a particularly fine example of these drawings and illustrated the way that Sickert would often looking across the auditorium to the boxes that faced him to make drawings on the spot that captured the attentiveness and excitement of the audience.