Design by Cynthia Tingey for the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, London Palladium, 1976

Design for the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella, showing two full length female figures, the left hand figure wearing a full length nightdress or negligee in khaki with wide, layered sleeves, trimmed at the cuffs with yellow, a yellow cap covered in layers of green and apricot 'petals' and what appears to be a feather boa in khaki, the right hand figure wearing a large dusky pink nightdress or negligee with layered frothy sleeves and collar trimmed with white baubles and a white lace cap with vast dusky pink frills and similar baubles. The background is painted in grey-brown gouache. The design is signed and dated.

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, Cinderella, at the London Palladium, 21 December 1976. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight. The Ugly Sisters, here called Mildred and Georgina Hardup, were played by Yootha Joyce (Mildred) and Brian Murphy (Georgina). The names derive from the actors' roles in the popular television situation-comedy, George and Mildred, in which they played husband and wife.

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 and illustrates a feature of pantomime in the 20th century: the employment of television stars in leading roles.

S.73-1999