The Frank Bradley collection of Toy and Model theatres

The toy theatre developed from the art of the caricaturist which flourished in England during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, when the drawings of Rowlandson, Newton, Gillray, Leech and others depicted the various humours of English life. Many were portraits of well-known personages including those famous in the theatre. Prints of these drawings had a great appeal and collecting them was a popular pastime.

In the bow-windowed printsellers’ shops, full-length single portraits of actors and actresses were displayed - published while a play was fresh in every theatregoer’s mind. They were cheap to buy and in demand.

As time went on, sheets were printed with four small portraits on each - characters from current productions at particular theatres; and eventually sheets were issued with additional characters in typical postures and costumes. Scenery followed on, complete with backdrops, wing pieces, ground rows and borders, copied as accurately as possible from the original designs. Sheets of these were sold individually ‘Penny Plain’ if uncoloured, and ‘Twopence Coloured’ if tinted by the printer’s assistant. The real enjoyment was in mounting the sheets, colouring and cutting them out in readiness for the production of the play. Many of the scenes were spectacular and included wonderful transformations. There were also trick pieces.

The stage naturally followed. This structure was a framework of timber, the front, or proscenium being another engraving produced by the enterprising publisher. Generally it was a reproduction of the proscenium of a well-known theatre. The miniature theatre conveyed the appearance of the real theatre - side boxes occupied by elegant ladies in beautiful gowns and feathered headdresses, each accompanied by their bewhiskered escorts in splendid uniforms or evening dress. Even the orchestra was shown.

After this came the 'book of words’, specially adapted from the original script. And so with the stage made, the scenery and characters cut out and arranged, rehearsals could commence for what would undoubtedly be an unforgettable performance. The toy theatre became one of the most popular pastimes, not only in England, but also in most European countries.

Currently to be found at Pickford's House - Museum of Georgian Life and Historic Costume.

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