William West and the Regency Toy Theatre

16th January to 27th March 2004
We worked with the Soane Museum to put on the first ever exhibition about the first ever toy theatre publisher, William West. In 1811, he began to print sheets of figures, copied from recent productions in London theatres, and went on to create scenery and miniature theatre fronts, some of which are breathtakingly beautiful examples of design and colouring from the Regency period, reflecting the exotic melodramas of Covent Garden, the Olympic and Astley's Amphitheatre in miniature.
West also published plays translated or written by the architect Sir John Soane's stage-struck younger son, George. There will be a lavish colour catalogue, and a tantalising selection of rare prints, from the British Museum, the Theatre Museum, Pollock's Toy Museum and private collections.

The exhibition was visited by 14,000 people, and there were many enthusiastic comments written by visitors. It was reviewed in the Evening Standard, Independent on Sunday and Country Life (go to press cuttings), and has helped to bring the delights of the toy theatre to a wider audience. The catalogue has sold well, and is still available from Sir John Soane's Museum shop at £14.95.

The Soane Museum ran a programme of lectures, performances and education events with the exhibition which is due to tour during 2005. Confirmed dates to follow.

Link to Sir John Soane's Museum website