Design by Cynthia Tingey for Widow Twankey in Aladdin, London Palladium, 1970

Design for Widow Twankey in Aladdin, showing a full length fair haired female figure, wearing a voluminous knee length Chinese style dress in maroony-brown, decorated with orange bobble fringe at the hem and cuffs, the fronts, hem and cuffs trimmed with blue and orange stripes and stylized flowers, apparently of blue braid, from each of which hangs an orange tassel. She wears her hair piled high on her head and decorated with a large green flower and outsize hair pins. The background is painted in grey gouache. The design is signed and dated, and inscribed on the reverse with the name of the actor.

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. Terry Scott played Widow Twankey.

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 design for a pantomime dame.

S.26-1999