Toy Theatre Material List JUNE 2005
Calle Callejon de Martinez 7, 18127 JATAR, Granada, España.
E-mail<langdale@teleline.es>
All
plays can be
presented in 35 x 25cm envelopes containing all the printed sheets of
scenery
and characters, scripts etc. and bearing a display label on the
outside. If
this is not requested the sheets will be sent loose to minimise postage
costs.
Theatres,
Jumping
Jacks, and Punch and Judy for toy theatre are normally printed on A3
sheets in
sets ranging from 1 to 30 sheets according to complexity. Two theatres
are on
A2 sheets.
At
present this
material is available in black and white.
When
ordering
please convert your total from Euros to your currency allowing a
suitable sum
for postage, packaging (usually about 1/3 of the cost of plays etc) and
the 6
Euro conversion charge and simply send us a cheque payable to “Stephen
Langdale” from your bank. Bank transfers are cheaper. If
you have a sterling
account we can arrange for you to pay in sterling without the bank
transfer
charge.
The whole
story from Robert Louis Stevenson´s book adapted for toy theatre
including 15
sheets of characters, 30 sheets of scenery, splendid tricks, Stephen
Langdale´s
script, production notes and a special front curtain.
23·90
Euros
A
Harlequinade in
5 scenes drawn to accompany Roy Adams´ script. The pack includes
a facsimile of
the artist´s notes on each sheet; many of the scenes are based on
identified
sheets by 19th century artists and written about as a homage
to
these past masters. There are 5
character sheets, 14 scene sheets, the script and a special front
curtain.
13·90
Euros
An Arabian Nights play by Roy Adams in 5 scenes. A rich variety of exotic scenes and characters in an exciting plot. 4 sheets of characters, 14 scenery sheets and the script. 8·90 Euros
A classic
Victorian melodrama based on a true story; many of the scene sheets are
based
on the places where the events occurred in
The 19th
century legend of a murderous barber and his pie making accomplice. The
pack
includes 6 sheets of characters, 18 sheets of scenery and tricks,
Stephen
Langdale´s script, production notes and a special front curtain.
12·60
Euros
Little
Nell is a comic skit on Victorian melodrama that was performed on Music
Hall
(Vaudeville) by my uncle in a quick change act. The pack contains 1
character
sheet, 2 scene sheets a script and a special front curtain.
3·50 Euros
(On two
A3 sheets plus script) 9 sheets of characters, 3 scene sheets, theatre
front
and Stephen Langdale´s script based on the original glove puppet
show of
Giovanni Piccini as it was recorded in the drawings of George
Cruikshank in
1827 ( when Piccini was 82 years old).
3·20 Euros
Galanty
(shadow
puppet) shows were common street entertainments in 19th
century
Based on
the unofficial Australian national
anthem by ´Banjo´
Stephen
Langdale´s synoptic commentary of William Shakespeare´s
play with popular
quotations. In addition to the script there are 3 sheets of characters,
7
sheets of scenery and a special front curtain.
7·40 Euros
This
rip roaring
story of a rebelion by gold miners in 19th century
Based on
the Redington script adapted from th original play by G. Macfarren
produced at
Nativity Play
The
Macharaviaya Nativity play has 6 sheets of characters based upon
Spanish
Christmas crib figures and 14 sheets of scenery drawn from the
buildings and
landcapes in and around Macharaviaya ( in which we live ) in Andalucia.
The
theatre front, specially designed for this production, is based upon
the main
door of the village church and the ‘orchestra’ is the village Belen
band that
heralds our Christmas. In all the theatre and orchestra are on 7 A3
sheets. The
kit includes the scene and character
sheets, theatre front, script and instructions.
Play only 10 Euros. Play
and
theatre 14·95 Euros
Pirates of
This
publication consists of 8 character
sheets, 8 scene sheets, prosceniums for both the Royal Bijou Theatre,
Paignton
and the 5th Avenue Theatre, New York (where th operetta was
premiered on the 30th and 31st of December 1879)
– including
front curtains, orchestras and the Paignton audience, the complete
libretto,
instructions and information.
Play and 2 theatres €15·50
The Mikado
An
originally designed production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta
including 9
plates of characters, 11 A3 sheets of scenery and a 3D version of the
Copenhagen ‘Peacock’ theatre ( The Oriental Theatre) on 15 A3 sheets
with full libretto
and instructions.
Play
only €19·25. Play and theatre €33·50
The toy
theatre sheets and the scripts of these plays have been carefully
restored to
publishable condition by Stephen Langdale and his wife Jane. Each play
has
involved many hours of cleaning, repairing and restoring of sheets and
books in
order to achieve presentable standards.
Restored
from a publication available until 50 years ago from George Skelt but
originally from publications of the older Skelt dynasty 100years
earlier. A
tale of sorcery and intrigue with 9 sheets of characters, 15 scene
sheets, a
facsimile of the original script and an account of the restoration.
13
Euros
The all
time favourite toy theatre play published in more versions by most
publishers
than any other. A swash-buckling classic!
This is probably the earliest version published by Park and
Golding
(1818-35) but does not have the original script. The pack contains 7
sheets of
characters, 10 scene sheets and a script adapted for this version from
a later
Park script.
10·50
Euros
This version of the popular play was published in 1867 in the ¨Boys of England´magazine; it was probably drawn from a german woodcut version and is quite different in flavour from current english work. The play consists of 7 sheets of characters, 13 scene sheets and a facsimile of the original script. 11·50 Euros
This is a
really fine, well drawn, version of this popular play. Published by
Park but I
suspect that it is probably the work of J.K.Green. There are 8 sheets
of
excellent characters, 17 scene sheets including wings , drops and
footpiece and
the famous trick as well as a facsimile of the script issued by George
Skelt in
1921 which probably copies the original.
12·60 Euros
The
1837 pantomime
at the
This play
was published by Webb at the climax of his career. It was the 1860
pantomime at
the
Don Quixote
A
reconstruction of Redington’s original play from the 1846 production of
Macfarren’s play at
Blackbeard the
Pirate
This 1851
publication by Green I consider to be my best restoration to date. It
was made
from a set of printers proofs given to me in the 1950’s. The plates
involved up
to 11 hours cleaning each. The play involves pirates, oriental captives
and the
Royal Navy; it includes
The Rifle
Volunteers
Described
on Webb’s 1861 script as a ‘laughable comedy’ it’s probably even
funnier
today! 3 fine
sheets of characters, including lots of soldiers, and 4 beautiful
sheets of
scenery – made up with a safety curtain with adverts. The script is a facsimilie of the Webb
ortiginal and includes a description and illustration of the
restoration
process.
€7
The
Aladdin
Generally
available for the first time since 1880 the full version of Green’s
play! It
includes many sheets that many of us have never seen. Originally
published in
1847 and the result of over 200 hours of restoration. 8 plates of
characters
and 19 sheets of scenery and a facsimile of the script from Benjamin
Pollock’s
reprint and an illustrated booklet describing the restoration. 15·60
Euros
Published
by Green in 1842 it has one of the most beautiful sets of figures in
toy
theatre history which when coloured with the whole spectrum of military
uniforms is quite splendid. Complete with 12 sheets of characters, 15
sheets of
scenery, a facsimile of Pollock’s reprint of the script and the first
known
theatre front (contemporary to the battle), Green’s ‘Old George’. Play and theatre 15·50 Euros,
Play only 14
Euros
Published
by Green in 1834 when he first opened for business it is another
beautifully
drawn play that gains in attraction from colouring the Scottish plaids
and
scenes. 4 plates of characters, 8 scenery sheets and a facsimile script
all
mainly from a Benjamin Pollock reprint; this together with a copy of
Green’s
1850 theatre front and his 1834 orchestra.
Play and
theatre 9·25 Euros, Play only 7·75 Euros
Der Freischutz
Is a
restoration of George Skelt’s reissue of an earlier Skelt publication
that is
likely to have originated from Robert Lloyd in the mid 1830’s. One of
those
plays beloved of 19th century boys due to its consumption of
red and
blue fire! 6 plates of characters, 8 sheets of scenery and a facsimile
of
G.Skelt’s script together with a copy of Lloyd’s theatre.
Play and theatre 10·50 Euros, play only 8·50 Euros
Robinson Crusoe
Another
play that may well have come from Lloyd in the 1830’s – was acquired by
Skelt’s
and reissued in 1913 by George Skelt. The 9 scene sheets carry
G.Skelt’s claim
to have drawn them but this is almost certainly untrue.
There are 8 plates of characters, a facsimile
of the G. Skelt script and a copy of Martin Skelt’s theatre.
Play and theatre 11·75 Euros, play only 9·75 Euros
The Miller and his
Men
Webb’s
beautifully drawn 1861 version of this ever popular play has the
additional
attraction of a happy ending – dancing peasants after the famous
explosion. 9
plates of characters, 17 sheets of scenery and a facsimile script.
€14
Jack Cade
Edwin
Brett / Boys of England version of the story of the Kentish rebelion
against
Henry VI in 1450. A very different drawing style from the traditional –
rather
like 19thC Punch illustrations. Armoured knights and
revolting
peasants. 6 plates of characters, 8 sheets of scenery, special drop
curtain
& facsimile script. Offered with a copy of the Boys of England
proscenium.
Play & theatre €11, play only €9
Richard Turpin
M & M
Skelts c1840 publication based upon the play ‘Rookwood’ performed at
Sadler’s
Wells Theatre is full of horses and stage coaches and has scenes with
successive approaching /receeding appearances of these. It consists of 9 sheets of characters, 15 scene sheets, a
facsimile script and a copy of Langdale’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre.
Play & Theatre €14.40, Play only €12.80
The Red Rover
J.K.Green’s
splendid 1836 interpretation of the stage production of J. Fennimore
cooper’s
exciting nautical novel. Beautiful drawings throughout. One of the all
time top
favourites in toy theatre plays. 7 plates of characters, 15 scenery
sheets and
a high quality script book.
€13·25
Blue Jackets
Green’s
1842 farce involving young ladies mascarading as R.N.sailors to rescue
the
heroine’s boyfriend and save her from an arranged marriage to an aged
wooden
legged captain. 4 plates of characters, 5 sheets of scenery and a
facsimile
script.
€6·80
Robin Hood
Langdale’s
creation of Robin Hood from toy theatre sheets and drawings by
H.W.Whanslaw.
This work was created to mark the 80th anniversary of the
British
Puppet and Model Theatre Guild in 2005. On 3 character sheets, 9 scene
sheets
and with a script by Stephen Langdale.
€4·50
Black Eyed Susan
A naval
tail about injustice first published by Lloyd in 1829 following it’s
unprecedented success at the Surrey and later at the
The
following toy theatre fronts have been created and drawn by Stephen Langdale based on his own research .
This is the first theatre front I ever made. It was drawn, in about 1951, for my father´s puppet company, from a newspaper cutting. The original was probably a Redington front from the 3rd quarter of the 19th century. It is freely drawn, lively and has a new, matching, architrave. It makes up and paints up well. It is matched up with a 19th century stage orchestra on 2 A3 sheets. 2·80 Euros
This
front was created from drawings of Holland´s conversion of the
theatre in 1797
which would have been how it looked when the first toy theatre sheets
were
published. This is an elaborate three dimensional front with front of
curtain
entrances, orchestra and an auditorium to screen the operator. It has
been
highly aclaimed in the
A much
simpler flat version of the above theatre with a 2D copy of the
orchestra.
Presented on two A3 sheets. Ideal to frame toy theatre scenes. *
2·8
Euros
This
theatre front is based upon Her Majety´s theatre in
A flat
theatre
front created from an amalgum of 19th century prints as a
simple proscenium
or picture frame for plays of central european and german origin. It is
available on two A3 sheets without an orchestra ( see
under miscellaneous).*
2·8
Euros
A very decorative Spanish
moorish
design. This front was specially designed to be used flat or built up.
It is
based on Jon Bankert’s photographs of the Teatro Juarez in Guarajuanto,
Mexico
where he visited a Cervantes festival. This front was created
especially for
Langdale’s Don Quijote from the Gustave Dore drawings but would also
suit
Sinbad’s Bride. It is printed on 5 A3 sheets.
5·50
Euros
Langdale`s Galvez
Theatre
A
romantic classical design, with columns and broken pediment. This front
is to
be build in 3D and is based on the door of the village church in the
Andalucian
village in which I live. It was designed for the presentation of the
Macharaviaya Nativity play. It is printed on 7 A3 sheets which include
the
village band and the construction instructions etc. ( The Galvez family
came
from this village and
Langdale`s Royal
Bijou Theatre, Paignton and
Langdale`s 5th
Avenue Theatre, New
York
Both
of these
theatres were designed to go with’Pirates of Penzance’ as the
operetta’s first
night theatres in the
This
theatre is on
two A3 sheets and is the proscenium as it is portrayed in a print
c1815. It
includes an interesting quotation from Charles Dickens about the
theatre in the
1840s.
€2.80
Based
upon the Pantomime theatre in
€14·75
This
is a
re-creation of the miniature theatre on the trick sheet of Webb’s
‘Harlequin
Dame Crump’ which I suspect that he sent to the Royal Family in about
1853/4.
It is a traditional mid 19th century front which can be used
flat or
built and includes an orchestra on 2 A3 sheets.
€2·80
This
represents Elliston’s refurbishment of the old Royal Circus in 1806. It
was the
home to first presentations of many productions recorded in Juvenile
Drama
including Blackbeard, Forty Thieves and Black Eyed Susan. Three A3
sheets
including notes and instructions.
€3·50
The
following list
of theatre fronts are all from 19th century publishers and
have been
painstakingly restored to something close to their original condition.
Most of
the theatres are matched with a stage orchestra, some the originals and
others
the best match I could make from material available to me when
undertaking that
particular restoration.
One of
the most popular fronts in the history of English toy theatres. Webb,
A.How
Matthews, George Conetta (Skelt) and M.D.Everett having all published
versions/
editions of this. This edition is carefully restored and printed on two
A3
sheets with one of J.K.Green´s stage orchestras. It can be made
up flat or in
3D. *
2·80
Euros
A flat
version of the above theatre but including perspective elements to add
to the
3D effect. Ideal for picture framing toy theatre scenes. Printed on two
sheets
of A3. *
2·80 Euros
Punch``s Show
Green’s
first known publication produced during his apprenticeship as an
engraver
during the first decade of the 19th century. A Punch booth
and
onlookers together with a revolving wheel of characters for the stage
area.
Printed on one A3 sheet with instructions.
2·20 euros
The
This
is a
restoration of the earliest known english theatre front. First
published by
J.K.Green on January 1st 1812. It is reprinted with an extra
drop
curtain, to make the opening rectangular rather than square, and
includes a
copy of Green´s new stage orchestra shaded to match the front. It
was designed
as a flat front and is printed on two A3 sheets. *
2·80 Euros
The
This front appeared under the headline ´Skelt´s new improved stage front to be used flat or built´in about 1865 but it had previously been published by Robert Lloyd at least 30 years before. The original had a pediment, which Skelt omitted, and is restored in this version. It is a very fine proscenium and is printed with a specially restored copy of Green´s contemporary 1834 orchestra on two A3 sheets. * 2·80 Euros
This is a
second version of Arthur´s original front probably redrawn after
he went to
Skelt`s Martin`s Theatre c. 1836
Named
´Martin´s
theatre´after Martin Skelt, the founder of the dynasty, who first
published it.
It is an attractive little theatre whose design is full of detail and
decoration. It is completed by an orchestra drawn by George Skelt in
1914.
Ideal for production of Skelt´s ´Harlequin Little King
Pippin´. It can be used
flat or built and is all on two A3 sheets. *
2·80 Euros
Skelt`s New
Improved Theatre c.
1840
First
published by Martin & Matthew Skelt. A charming traditional front
with an
early flavour about it. It has both it’s original pediment and an
Ebenezer
Skelt stage orchestra from 1865. Can be used flat or built. Printed on
two A3
sheets. *
2·80 Euros
Aclean
lined, very decorative and attractive stage front featuring both boxes
and side
doors and having a handsome pediment and a copy of Green’s 1834 stage
orchestra. Can be used flat or built and is printed on two A3 sheets. *
2·
80 Euros
This
theatre front was published by Edwin Brett in his ´Boys of
England´magazine and
is a perfect presentation for ´The Miller and his Men´which
came from the same
periodical a little later. It is an interesting front which, like
Brett´s
plays, is different from the mainstream tradition. It can be used flat
or built
up and is printed on one A3 sheet with no orchestra (see under
´Miscellaneous´). *
2·20 Euros
This is
another front that was originally sold in a boy´s magazine,
´Tyburn Dick´. It
makes up into a very splendid theatre, hence it´s name, either
flat or built
up. It´s decoration suits it particularly to Shakespearian plays.
It is printed
on two sheets of A3 without an orchestra (see under
´Miscellaneous´). *
2·80 Euros
This is a
most handsome theatre front whether used flat (having perspective
elements in
it) or built and incorporates a finely drawn orchestra. It is presented
on four
A3 sheets which include notes and a small copy of the theatre front. *
4·30 Euros
William West`s
Large
Stage Front 1829
Two
attractive theatre fronts made up from West sheets of pieces (see p30
of West
Exhibition catalogue). Each proscenium is presented on 2 A3 sheets.
Both
theatres are to be built into 3D. No orchestras ( see under
‘Miscellaneous’).
Each theatre €2.80, both theatres €5.25
A flat
proscenium front carefully repaired, restored and modified to suit
standard
plays from a damaged copy of one of Andela’s theatres from
An attractive front with fine box and orchestral figures as well as five assorted toy theatre characters. It is the original “petit theatre français No 98”. It is presented on two A3 sheets and, having built in perspective, is designed to be made up flat.* 2·80 Euros
This
front is thought to have been inspired by Imagerie Pellerin’s Petit
Theatre
Française and to have been imported from
Deposito de
Aleluyas y Romances` Teatro Real c.1890.
The first
of a series of Spanish toy theatre fronts being redrawn as accurately
as
possible by Stephen Langdale and presented, with the four original
sections fitted
together, in black and white. The publisher’s, rare in spanish toy
theatre
history, were based in
A
splendid example of the work of this
This
grand theatre
front incorporates the modernismo style in a traditional 19th
century layout and feeling. All has been recreated in Stephen
Langdale’s
drawing. The front is available on one A2 sheet and including populated
boxes,
house curtains and a fine orchestra. *
3 Euros
The 4th of a series of spanish toy theatre fronts faithfully recreated by Stephen Langdale. This front was originally published in the ‘Los Niños’ magazine directed by Carlos Frontaura. It is a very classical proscenium including unusually magnificent curtains and bearing the legend ‘Teatro de los niños’, the name by which spanish toy theatres are known. Printed on one A2 sheet. 3 Euros
* A popular way of exhibiting toy theatre material is to make up a scene and charactes in a shallow box frame and display it, sometimes with low watt lighting, in a theatre front as a frame and hang it as a picture. (clean with a hair dryer).
An A3 sheet of toy theatre orchestras including
Skelt, Green and Reddington.
2·20
Euros
An A3 sheet of toy theatre orchestras including 2 by Langdale and 1 by Webb 2·20 Euros
Booklet ´Toy theatres and the plays – a simple
introduction´, illustrated, by Stephen Langdale.
4·80 Euros
Booklet
´William
West, toy theatre publisher (1850) by
Henry Mayhew from ´London labour and the
Booklet
´A penny
plain and twopence coloured´ by Robert Louis Stevenson. A
facsimile of the most
famous article ever written about toy theatres complete with original
illustrations.
4·30 Euros
Booklet
´Punch and Judy´ by Henry Mayhew from ´London labour
and the
These
are on
attractive A3 sheets complete with instructions and all the parts to
make:-
Pedalling
Punch on
a unicycle
Jogging
Judy
which, like Punch, makes up into a push along toy.
Harlequin
Jumping
Jack.
Columbine
Jumping Jill.
Joseph
Grimaldi –
clown – Jumping Joey.
Pantaloon
jumping
Gent´.
Ned
Kelly –
Australian folk law hero – jumping jack.
A Jolly
Swagman – Australian folk song – push along toy. 1·70 Euros each
or 8 for 12
Euros.