Design by Cynthia Tingey for Dame Durden in Jack and the Beanstalk, London Palladium, 1968

Design for Dame Durden in Jack and the Beanstalk, showing a full length female figure wearing a long sleeved, dark turquoise calf length coat belted at the waist, the cuffs and hem decorated with a thick band of turquoise flowers with yellow centres, with matching calf length boots with turquoise lacing and a Russian style hat covered all over with similar turquoise flowers. She wears a pair of turquoise 1960s spectacles. The background is painted in grey-brown gouache. The design is signed and dated and on the reverse is inscribed with the name of the actor and the pantomime.

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, Jack and the Beanstalk, at the London Palladium, 17 December 1968. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight. Arthur Askey played Dame Durden.

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.122-1999