Design by Cynthia Tingey for The Shadows as Aladdin's friends in Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp, London Palladium, 1964

Design for Wishee, Washee, Noshee and Poshee in Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp, showing two full length male figures wearing hip length Chinese style tunics with mandarin collars over brown trousers, the left hand figure in a plain red tunic, the right hand figure in an orange tunic with black decoration and a black belt with an elaborate gold buckle. The background is painted in bold strokes of dark browny-grey gouache. The design is signed and dated and on the reverse is inscribed with the name of the band and the production.

Given by the artist

This is one of a collection of designs for pantomime and cabaret, given to the Theatre Museum by the designer, Cynthia Tingey, who created the costumes for 15 of the annual London Palladium pantomimes. This design for The Shadows was made for the pantomime, Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp, at the London Palladium, 22 December 1964. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight, and The Shadows (Bruce Welch, Hank Marvin, Brian Bennett and John Rostill) provided the music and lyrics and played Aladdin's friends, Wishee, Washee, Noshee and Poshee.

Historical significance: An example of pantomime costume design of the second half of the 20th century and of the work of a designer who specialised in pantomime and variety design. It also illustrates a feature of pantomime in the 20th century: the employment of stars of popular music, entertainment and television in leading roles, rather than established actors.

S.1-1999