Design by Cynthia Tingey for Jack Durden in Jack and the Beanstalk, London Palladium, 1973

Design for Jack Durden in Jack and the Beanstalk, showing three full length male figures, to the left, a figure wearing a dark green, sleeveless jerkin, fastened at the waist with a buckled belt, over a long sleeved, apricot shirt, the full sleeves gathered to wide cuffs, and greenish- brown tights, to centre, a figure in a brown sleeveless jerkin, with a similar shirt in green and brown tights, and, to the right, a figure in a similar blue shirt with a red neckerchief, a brown buckled belt and greenish-brown tights. The background is painted in grey-brown gouache. The design is signed and dated. Two fabric swatches are attached to the upper part of the design with sticky tape.

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, 18 December 1973. The production was directed by Albert J. Knight. Mark Wynter played Jack 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 costume design 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.132-1999