The Northwest Puppet Center is proud to present   Miniature Worlds  of Fantasy Toy Theaters from Past and Present

Curated by Robert Burns   From their Press Release of 9 April 2001.

The Northwest Puppet Center Museum presents Miniature Worlds of Fantasy - Toy Theaters from Past and Present, curated by Robert Burns, showing now through June 15, 2001. The exhibit features antique, contemporary, and replica theaters from all over the world; from the simple to the sublime, including pop-up books, simple paper theaters and handmade wooden table top theaters, used for play and performance.

Toy theaters were a popular form of drawing room entertainment in the Victorian era. The theaters were elaborately designed and could be purchased colored brilliantly or plain, to be hand painted by the buyer. Many are replicas of actual theaters including Shakespeare's Globe Theatre and the Theatre du Palais Royale. Often they included the cast and set pieces of popular plays like "Othello", "Tartuffe", "Sleeping Beauty" and "Dracula" (presented in a theater drawn by Edward Gorey). Also featured is a contemporary toy theater of "Faust" created by Great Small Works of New York, NY.

The museum is open to the public by appointment Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on show weekends 30 minutes before and after each show. Admission is free.