Toy theatre
The little paper theatre with a stage, scenery and figures moved by rods.
The toy theatre came from London in the 19th century. Publishers printed scenes from plays on sheets that children cut out and assembled, and then they acted the plays at home.
Benjamin Pollock took over the business and sold toy theatres in London into the 20th century. The author Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about his longing for Pollock’s theatres.
Materials: Printed and hand-coloured paper on card
Manufacture: Published as printed sheets by William West in London from 1811 and later by Pollock.
The little stage with its proscenium.
The scenery in several planes.
The figures on sticks pushed in from the side.