new in store...an antique puppet theatre!

 

I have been sorting out in the back store room of The Drill Hall Emporium this week.  Scary job!  But fun, also, as I find all sorts of wonderful items that have not made it into the store until now.  And look what I uncovered yesterday, an early 20th century puppet theatre!   

It is named the Theatre Royal in gilded lettering.  We found this piece in England a few years ago at a trade fair near the Welsh border.  At the time I thought it funny as we have a Theatre Royal here in Hobart...

Image from here

Which is quite regal inside, I think with the red velvet seating and raised galleries.

Image from here

 

The Theatre Royal in Hobart opened in 1837 and was built from convict carved sandstone among the public houses, brothels, factories and tiny workers’ cottages in Campbell Street. The gallery was added in the 1850s and the theatre was redecorated in the 1890s. 

 

Back to our small scale Theatre...look at the lovely painted detail to the wooden sides.  I am wondering perhaps this piece was perhaps made during the wartime where money was scarce for shop bought toys and one was more inclined to make imaginative entertainment?  It comes complete with a red velvet curtain which has faded nicely over time to a soft rose colour. 

 

 

It comes complete with 4 miniature stage lights to light up the stage!  They are all wired in although I am not sure if they still work, they will need miniature bulbs I am sure. 

 



This would still be a fabulous piece today for the child with imagination, but for some reason I feel as if sock puppets would not really be to standard?  I will have to try and hunt down some proper antique puppets. 

Until next time,