Design by Cynthia Tingey for Aladdin in the 'Widow Twankey's Laundry' scene in Aladdin, London Palladium, 1970

Design for Aladdin in Aladdin, showing two full length brown haired androgynous figures, the left hand figure wearing a long sleeved, high necked apricot tunic with gold foliate decoration on the cuffs and neck and gold edges to the hem and fronts, a gold patterned belt fastened with a large gold buckle, green flared trousers and Turkish slippers, the right hand figure similarly dressed but in a tunic with a green body and apricot sleeves and without a front fastening. The background is painted in bold stokes of grey gouache. The design is signed and dated and inscribed with the name of the actress and the scene.

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 was made for the pantomime, Aladdin, at the London Palladium, 22 December 1970. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight. Cilla Black played Aladdin.

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 is also an example of a pantomime costume for a principal boy and illustrates a feature of pantomime of the 20th century: the employment of stars of popular music, entertainment and television in leading roles, rather than established actors.

S.24-1999